These Fast Freshmen: 2029s Making an Immediate Impact in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this fall is of any indication of what is to come from the 2029 class, we are in for quite the ride!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This freshman class has lit the courts on fire this season. From broken kills records to historic program rankings, this class is full of game changers and head turners. It wouldn't be a surprise if you have already come well accustomed to some of these rookies, but if you haven't use this as your introduction to some of the state's biggest rising stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we're taking a look at eight of the best rookies in Michigan. These are the players coming onto the scene and making immediate impact and in some cases, leading their teams, already! Let's talk about these fast freshmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'] for South Lyon East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be a bigger breakout star this fall than [player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman']. This South Lyon East is in a whole lot of newness. They graduated 3 Division 1 bound attackers and bring on a brand new coaching staff. For Coleman, she spent no time closing in that gap. With well over 600 kills on the season, Coleman is redefining the rule book. The expectations for this freshman has gone out the window, because she has surpassed every single one of them. The Cougars are entering the post-season with one of their best rankings in program history at No. 5 in Division 1. Coleman will be hopefully returning to SLE at the beginning of regionals as she competes with USA Volleyball in Costa Rica this next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] for Mercy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is no easy feat to come in and take over the reigns of Miss Volleyball and current Nebraska star,<strong> Campbell Flynn</strong>. Albeit somehow, in just her first season with the Marlins, [player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] is making the transition look seamless. Mercy looks just as poised to win it all as ever. Easton is pacing to 1,000 assists on the season and has the Marlins batting at a .299 hit percentage. Alongside Coleman, Easton is currently with Team USA competing with the U17 National team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='885464' first='Charlotte' last='Keyes'] for Saline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saline has had one strong line of middles over the last several years. From Toledo standout Olivia Vance to Mallory Bohl and now it looks like [player_tooltip player_id='885464' first='Charlotte' last='Keyes'] is the next big thing out of the Hornet's nest. Keyes brings similar intangibles to the previous standouts mentioned. She serves great size at the net and brings a lot of fire power. Her blocking presence is something that stands out big time as only a rookie, she is making big moves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='885467' first='Adeline' last='Peterson'] for Ann Arbor Pioneer </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The city of Ann Arbor is good for some really strong talent to come out throughout the years. From Molly Johnson at Huron to the Murray sisters at Skyline, it looks like Ann Arbor Pioneer has found their star in [player_tooltip player_id='885467' first='Adeline' last='Peterson']. At 6'2, Peterson has a clear advantage over her counterparts. But what really makes heads turn is Peterson's comfortability in just about any position on the court. She'll bounce balls from either pin, up the middle and then go in the back court and play top notch defense. This is a player that is poised to make Pioneer into the next star program out of Ann Arbor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='787391' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'] for Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we may not see much more of this player for the remainder of the season due to injury, I think it is safe to say that [player_tooltip player_id='787391' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'] has more than left her mark. Filling in for middle duties from her older sister Shelby, who is now at Texas Tech, Karsyn has really done big things this season. One of the focal points of the Hawk's offense, Ignash was really finding her stride, averaging two kills per set. With that, her blocking numbers are really nice to see. Very rare to see a freshman average nearly a block per set, Ignash will surely return to Cass City next season better than ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='812023' first='Brynn' last='Johnson'] for Marshall</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's really rare to find one player to put up such crazy numbers in their freshman season like Coleman, but two of them? That's how you know how special this class is going to be. [player_tooltip player_id='812023' first='Brynn' last='Johnson'] has wasted no time cementing herself amongst the state's top players. Right off of the bat, Johnson is killing it in six rotations. Alongside Coleman, Johnson has surpassed the 600 kill mark on the season and is vastly approaching 450 digs! Marshall is a division 2 team that has always made some noise under the surface, but with a player like Johnson, they're bound for an explosive run sooner than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='782946' first='Catie' last='Jilek'] for Portage Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='782946' first='Catie' last='Jilek'] has really made her mark early on for Portage Central. With a team as dynamic as they are offensively with weapons like [player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'], they have been missing that one piece at the setting position to bring it all together. Jilek has put up over 650 assists and is closing in on 200 digs on the season. Aside from that, she is quite the point scorer with nearly 60 kills and 60 blocks as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='748131' first='Luciana' last='Wichern'] for Traverse City St. Francis</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rookie caught my eye early on in the season and she has done nothing but continue to impress throughout her first season with Traverse City St. Francis. As a setter, it really takes a high level of IQ and maturity to really make a difference on the court. Off the bat, you could tell that [player_tooltip player_id='748131' first='Luciana' last='Wichern'] just has it. She's doing her part as a setter to a tee, putting her hitters in great windows to score, running plays etc. But it's Wichern's aggressiveness at the position is what wows me. Usually, it takes sometime to develop this part of the game, but this one goes for it! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->