Dig Deep Defenders from the 2025 Michigan Expo

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7587129987304590647?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Check out the latest video from the <span style="text-decoration: underline">Michigan Expo</span> on Tik Tok Today!</a></em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>This was one of the biggest stop the Michigan Exposure tour has ever seen! With over 150 athletes on tap, spanning eight jam packed courts, the talent in the gym was overflowing and top shelf!</p>   <p>We had some of the biggest names from all over the state, from a healthy dose of the west side prospect to northern Michigan, we also had quite a few out of staters, including an 8th grader from Oklahoma stepping up to the challenge! It was seriously, a stop for the books!</p>   <p>It's time to dig deep and take a look at some of the premier back court players on tap at this year's expo. There were plenty of littles to go around, so much defense going on in one gym. Here were some of the standouts from my vantage point, but there were so many that did big work.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='726759' first='Yasmin' last='Haney'] - Livonia Churchill/Team Detroit</h2>   <p>This is a player that has become a regular at these showcases and with every one she attends, she's only stepped up her game. [player_tooltip player_id='726759' first='Yasmin' last='Haney'] is looking much more polished and technical in the back court. After a solid fall at Livonia Churchill running the back court, Haney has only reaped benefit from that time.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='848276' first='Christina' last='Rustoni'] - Oxford/High Performance</h2>   <p>It's hard to miss this one on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='848276' first='Christina' last='Rustoni'] is surely the loudest one in the gym and she is not afraid to take initative. Leading the charge in drills, in game play, whatever it is, Rustoni is getting after it. With these traits, you can only imagine, Rustoni plays the game with a lot of grit and a lot of scrappiness.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='847397' first='Bridget' last='Wiggins'] - Sacred Heart/Mid-Mich Aces</h2>   <p>Only a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='847397' first='Bridget' last='Wiggins'] is poised for a serious second half to her high school career. She played a pivotal role in the fall with Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart as a DS behind a four year starter. This role play behind such a critical piece in her program has done a lot for her growth. Wiggins has a refined touch on the ball and brings a steadiness to the court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='697452' first='Maylie' last='Mullins'] - Ottawa Lake Whiteford/Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>This looks to be a very good position change for this once, now part time, outside hitter. [player_tooltip player_id='697452' first='Maylie' last='Mullins'] brings a lot of intangibles to this position that can elevate her past those that have been in the position since day 1. Her length offers her to cover much greater court space in shorter bursts. Her time has an outside offers her a lens into the opposing offense where she can put herself in positions to defend at a high level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meg Schreur - South Christian/FaR Out</h2>   <p>Meg Schreur's game has grown leaps and bounds throughout this fall. While, I got to get a taste of what she was putting down on the court this past club season, she's really elevated since. Still that scrappy, quick body digging balls at all costs, but now there's much more technique and more vision. Schreur is playing some high level ball and it should be a treat to see her this club season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell'] - Imlay City/Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell'] seemingly bursted onto the scene these last few months. in her first season as the libero for Imlay City, she showcased the makings to be a dark horse in this class for the libero position. She plays with a lot of fire and has no fear in throwing herself in front of the big swings. Russell is entering her first season playing at the open level, so be on the look out for her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='579164' first='Ava' last='Rewalt'] - Richmond/Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>I have been very big on this player for quite some time. Everything from her demeanor on the court, to her approach in the first contact and her versatility and range as a volleyball PLAYER. [player_tooltip player_id='579164' first='Ava' last='Rewalt'] is a strong player. A natural athlete to her core that just understands the game. She's another player that benefited from a much larger role this fall, unfortunately due to unlikely circumstances, but nonetheless, Rewalt received some huge boosts from the experience.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='587006' first='Hope' last='Purwadihardja'] - Plymouth/Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='587006' first='Hope' last='Purwadihardja'] is coming into a full year with playing in the DS, libero role and she has only gotten better with the time. She's an athlete that has utilized the skills of her past position to only push her new one further. As a former setter, Purwadihardja has the mind set to run the offense and in turn, it allows her to anticipate the opposition with great success. Purwadihardja also brings a lot of fun energy to the court with her positivity.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='915670' first='Maddy' last='Willis'] - Dearborn Divine Child/Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>I am extremely excited to see what this freshman is going to do this coming club season. [player_tooltip player_id='915670' first='Maddy' last='Willis'] is a swiss army knife. As a hitter, she jumps well and has a nice lefty arm swing. As a setter, her original position, she runs a well oiled machine. But now, as she looks to transition into this defender role, she is only going to thrive. Willis is fast on the ground and reads the game well. Her presence on any roster gives her team the advantage of being able to utilize her in any sort of way.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='778631' first='Breanna' last='McMahon'] - South Lyon East/L2</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='778631' first='Breanna' last='McMahon'] brings a lot of fun energy to the court. She sees the court well and can maneuver through just about anywhere in the back court to pass and defend at a high level. Aside from her back row play, I love to see McMahon's willingness to make the big plays too. She has a great out of system set and can be very crafty in finding ways to score as a DS.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ella Brannen - Harper Creek/Midwest Select</h2>   <p>This freshman is going to have such a fun career to watch unfold throughout the next few years. Ella Brannen comes to this expo by way of playing outside hitter all season long. The six rotation experience she received as a pin attacker translates extremely well to a full time defensive position. Brannen has a great feel of the court and an exceptional touch on her reception.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='851712' first='Alexys' last='Willis'] - Heritage Hall College Prep/Oklahoma Peak</h2>   <p>You have to REALLY admire a player who is so eager to get her name out there, find some new players to play alongside and elevate her game. Never would I have ever thought that we would see an Oklahoma product in the gym, but man, was it an early christmas present. [player_tooltip player_id='851712' first='Alexys' last='Willis'] has so much promise. As only an eighth grader, she has a lot of poise on the court. She blends in perfectly, even shines, alongside more veteran players.</p>

Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!