2026 Michigan Freshman Showcase Player Evaluations: Part 2

<p>The 2026 Michigan Freshman Showcase took place on Sunday and we had nearly 70 2030 prospects on hand in Pontiac, displaying their talents.</p>   <p>This could be a very special class and many of the best were on hand.</p>   <p>Here's the second set of player evaluations from Sunday's Freshman Showcase.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tenley Gayman, MB Rockford/MVA</strong></h2>   <p>Gayman uses her 6-foot size really well, as she's able to create a wide blocking range to slow down a lot of attacks, as well as being able to win 50/50 balls at the net. On the attack, Gayman has good spring off the floor, and shows a slide attack that has a lot of promise.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006921' first='Kaylyn' last='Noll'], DS/L Dexter/L2</strong></h2>   <p>Noll looked a little timid at first, but then really started to come out of her shell as the event went on. She played with good composure and was able to dig up some big attacks that came her way and probably left some marks, but she hung in and never showed any hesitation during scrimmage play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007121' first='Brielle' last='Eveland'], S Lowell/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Eveland just looked like a natural leader on the floor. Not only because she showed a lot of good communication skills and encouraged her peers, but her movements and actions as a setter looked very natural for her, like it took no advanced thought. Eveland just kept hitting her spots and when a hitter had a request, she hit it like she had already done it 100 times.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007247' first='Charlotte' last='Stephan'], S Lutheran NW/Unified</strong></h2>   <p>Stephan did a good job of pushing herself to another level on Sunday. She took some chances and tried some new things to test out her game, and it paid off well in some instances. She brought good energy to the floor and worked well with a load of new hitters.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007260' first='Skylar' last='Stephens'], DS/L Portage Central/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Stephens was definitely one of the top players at the Freshman Showcase. She displayed all the skills you look for in an elite defender. Particularly, her side-to-side movement was very smooth. She could cover any spot in the back row in a flash, while still making an accurate pass while on the run. Each of her instincts usually was the correct decision.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007471' first='Ryleigh' last='Kingma'], OH Kenowa Hills/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Kingma was one of many big power hitters in this class that was at the Showcase. She definitely delivers some nice pop on the ball and can be a top finisher from either end of the net. Her athleticism is a big strength, as she covers a lot of space in her approach to the net, generating some unstoppable attacks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Alicia Fumarolo, MB Grand Haven/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>This 5'10” middle plays a lot bigger at the net, as her agility allows her to be a real menace when it comes to blocking and slowing down attacks. While on the attack, herself, Fumarolo got better as the Showcase went on and she got her timing down with the setters. She's going to be a real handful for opponents out west in the years to come.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007545' first='Chessa' last='Kaiton'], OH Forest Hills Northern/FaR Out</strong></h2>   <p>Kaiton had to have one of the more impressive verticals at the Showcase. Standing 5'7” she rocketed off the floor and was able to turn over on the ball with some attack angles that you just can't dig up. That same athleticism applies to her defensive play as well, as she was diving all over the floor to keep the ball in play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007547' first='Amelia' last='Kurtz'], S Milford/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Kurtz is a very well-balanced setter that can make an impact in all phases of the game. As someone who's played with and against the best in the nation, Kurtz was able to step right in and work great with a lot of new hitters. She also showed great defensive instincts, while also providing a strong serve that causes some issue for defenders.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj'], MH Romeo/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Ljajcaj definitely has a lot of the foundations you look for in an elite middle. She's got plenty of length, great arm speed, impeccable timing, and makes a lot of elite-level plays look quite effortless. When the ball comes Ljajcaj's way, it's likely going to lead to some fireworks. Romeo should be excited about this prospect.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949918' first='Mikayla' last='Sinadinoski'], DS/L Dakota/Legacy</strong></h2>   <p>Sinadinoski had plenty of buzz coming in after earning MVP honors at some prestigious national tournaments this club season. On Sunday, she continued to exhibit that same level of elite play, and did it with a very calm and collected presence. Sinadinoski makes the tough plays look so easy, you sometimes forget just how tough of a play it was.</p>

The 2026 Michigan Freshman Showcase took place on Sunday and we had nearly 70 2030 prospects on hand in Pontiac, displaying their talents.