Fall Rankings Update: 2025 Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Class of <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 Player Rankings</a> were updated this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This class is stacked with offensive talent, but the defensive players can't be overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown of the latest libero rankings for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2025","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1c94b1bf76"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Current Top 5</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'], SMCC/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne is as good as they come from a defender standpoint. The Utah commit's all-around athletic ability has allowed her to play nearly every position on the court for SMCC, but her true strength is in the back row, where she has all the tools to succeed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'], Gull Lake/Dead Frog</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corstange has been putting in the work to establish herself as an elite defender, and it has paid off. The Wright State commit has grown her game through her tireless effort to improve. She gives her all to each point and can make some very athletic digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'], GR Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peal has been one of the foundations of the GR Christian program over the years. Her consistency as a defender has allowed the Eagles to remain a top D2 contender despite a lot of turnover at the hitter position. She's committed to Hillsdale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='156339' first='Layna' last='Waselewsky'], FH Eastern/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waselewsky has a tremendous motor and she can make plays all over the court. The EMU commit is actually a standout outside for FH Eastern, but her defensive play speaks for itself. Waselewsky's athleticism is hard to match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown'], Bedford/Legacy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Bowling Green commit, Brown has been key to the growing success of the Bedford program in the D1 landscape. Like some of her peers, she plays more of an outside hitter role during the prep season, which speaks to her all-around skillset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288961' first='Mallory' last='McFarlane'], Saline/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McFarlane showcased a lot as a defender for Saline, allowing the Hornets to make big adjustments to their lineup last year. This year, her experience and confidence should keep Saline among the top teams in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482158' first='Audrey' last='Thummel'], Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thummel is the next in a series of strong defenders to come through Notre Dame Prep. As you'd expect, she's well-coached and technically sound. She anticipates the play well and keeps light on her feet to cover a lot of space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223048' first='Avery' last='Nance'], TC St. Francis/Northshore</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nance is another well-coached defender that is going to leave everything she has on the floor. The Belmont Abbey commit was a big reason why the Gladiators were able to reach the D3 final in 2023. She's an on-court leader that can back it up with her play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156282' first='Jessica' last='Lee'], Skyline/L2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='156282' first='Jessica' last='Lee'] has been an instrumental part of the Skyline program for years. While the team has had some ups and downs, Lee has been the consistent presence they need in the back row. Lee has a lot of quickness and isn't afraid to take some bruises to make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='236712' first='Chelsea' last='Pearce'], Mattawan/FaR Out</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearce is a player that's never giving up on a point. If there is a play to be made, she's going to find a way to make it. She may not be the quickest, or the most technical, but she's got a lot of heart and a lot of drive to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->