Standout Underclassmen From Oakland County, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As 2025 has come to a close, it's good to look at some of the underclassmen that made a big impact during the prep season and should play a big role in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Oakland County, there was no shortage of elite talent. Here's the second part of our look at Oakland County's top underclassmen this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='806822' first='Morgan' last='Koralewski'], DS/L Troy Athens</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koralewski came through with some important digs for the Red Hawks this fall, playing in a hotly-contested OAA Conference. She anticipated the play well, but also showed the awareness to improve as the match went on. She quickly developed the trends of her opponents to keep the ball off the floor more consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson'], OH Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson had to sit out her freshman season, but she made the most of her prep debut with Marian in 2025. She was Second Team All-State in D1 and an All-Prep Dig D1 selection. Nelson led the Mustangs in kills with 434, while adding 236 digs and 88 aces. She proved she can compete with the best in the state in high-pressure matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fr. Gabbie Parrish, RS Stoney Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parrish was a nice complement to the Stoney Creek offense this fall as a freshman, coming through with plenty of momentum-swinging kills. She's got good length combined with athleticism. As she keeps fine-tuning her swing and defense, Parrish is going to become a complete player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'], DS/L Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pelon had already made a name for herself as a freshman, but she continued to elevate her play in the back row as a sophomore. Pelon was an All-State and All-Prep Dig selection for her play this fall, where she had nearly 350 digs and 65 aces for the Mustangs. Teams do their best to stay away from Pelon, but she still makes a big impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fr. [player_tooltip player_id='850640' first='Mia' last='Russo'], DS/L Notre Dame Prep /Monsters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame Prep has been able to develop great defenders throughout the history of its program and Russo looks to fit right in. She shows a bright future with her court IQ and work ethic. She's only going to get quicker and more consistent as time moves one, which should put her in an elite class for defenders in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'], OH Stoney Creek/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheldon took a big step as a six-rotation outside this fall, earning All-State honors in D1 with nearly 500 kills, 240 digs, and 60 aces. Sheldon brings a lot of power to the net, but her developing defensive game will make her a real force for anyone to deal with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fr. [player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith'], DS/L Clarkston/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston got a nice defensive prospect added to its roster this fall in Smith, a polished defender with a lot of competitive fire. She took on the libero jersey right away and produced 350 digs with over 60 aces in her first year, playing against top hitters all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe'], OH Bloomfield Hills/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bloomfield Hills needed a secondary hitter to step up this fall and the Black Hawks got it in Stakoe, who came through with 432 kills while hitting .302. She also had 333 digs and 78 aces. Stakoe earned All-State and All-Prep Dig honors in D1 and is going to get an opportunity to see even more swings in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So. [player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff'], S Country Day/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodruff followed up an outstanding freshman season with an MVP-type season as a sophomore. She led the Yellowjackets to a second consecutive D2 state title while being named First Team All-State and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/12/2025-michigan-hs-d2-all-prep-dig-teams/">All-Prep Dig in D2</a>. Woodruff had nearly 1,000 assists this fall and is near 2,000 for her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->