The Thumb Area’s Top Underclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thumb Area might be cold, but their volleyball talent has been on fire in recent years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 was no different, as there were plenty of underclassmen that stepped up and showed the future is very bright in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the underclassmen that grabbed the spotlight this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888384' first='Allysse' last='Deshetsky'], Fr. OH North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opponents of North Branch probably aren't happy to see another Deshetsky making their way through the program. Allysse shows a lot of the same skillset, drive, and focus that her sisters do. As a freshman, She put together 245 kills, 179 digs, and 65 aces. She's likely to be a prime breakout candidate next fall with a bigger role in the offense. Deshetsky earned All-State honors for D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Alaina Donnellon, So. RS Ubly</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ubly made a run to the D4 state semifinals this fall and Donnellon was a great complement to a potent offense on the right side. She had over 100 kills to go along with 53 aces and 39 blocks. Donnellon showed that she deserves more opportunities in the future to see just how far her game can go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787391' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'], Fr. MH Cass City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining in the family fun this fall was [player_tooltip player_id='787391' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'], a dangerous 6'1” middle that looks like she will be a dominant player in the future. Karsyn had 166 kills and looked better and better each week. She also had 72 blocks, a great sign for a freshman, as her timing and footwork shows a lot of promise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569773' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'], So. OH Cass City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot Ignash is a name the state is familiar with and she displayed that she will continue to be a dominant player for the Cass City program this fall. She had 404 kills with 371 digs and 71 aces. Ignash is able to make a difference in all phases of the game and she's only going to be a stronger player as she adds to her attack. Ignash was All-State in D3 and All-Prep Dig in D3 as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Maya McCloud, So. OH Vassar</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The thumb area has produced some great outsides and McCloud deserves to be on the watch list for the next great hitter in the area. This fall, she put down 439 kills while hitting over .270. She also had 242 digs and 64 aces, which shows just how impactful she can be. There's a lot of confidence in her play right now, as there should be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell'], So. DS/L Imlay City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell helped keep Imlay City in the mix in Division 2 this fall with her strong play in the back row. She had 374 digs with 50 aces. Her play was also great for out-of-system balls, as she had nearly 150 assists. Russell is a player that Imlay City will be able to continue to rely on in upcoming season. She received All-State honors in D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='724836' first='Addison' last='Weber'], So. OH Ubly/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weber was a big catalyst for Ubly reaching the state semifinals. She did it all this fall, earning All-State and All-Prep Dig honors in D4. This season, she put together over 200 kills, 240 digs and nearly 50 aces. Weber showed that she is going to be a real handful for opponents next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808004' first='Lauren' last='West'], So. OH Croswell-Lexington/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West was a big offensive option for Croswell-Lexington this fall, as she stepped up with 432 kills while hitting over .270. She showed a great power arm while having the savvy to make some high-IQ plays. West also proved she's an all-around talent with 308 digs and 76 aces. She was part of the All-State Team in Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kendyl Wilkins, So. OH Marlette</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins produced a lot offensively for Marlette this fall. She had 236 kills, doing a nice job of finding open spaces on the opponent's side of the floor. Wilkins had good pop, but also made a lot of last-second adjustments to score. Her defense will continue to improve as well to make her a well-rounded prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->