Can Am Watch-List: 16 Open

Yet, another weekend chock full of high level volleyball in the Motor City. This weekend will see some of the top teams in the Midwest and Canada joins forces in Detroit for this top-notch event. The 15 Open will see the combination of some of the top 15 and 16 programs in the country go head to head. With such a vast field of talent, this going to be the division to keep an eye on. Here’s who to watch in the 16 Open division at the Can Am Classic. Navea Gauthier Navea Gauthier 6'1" | OH Shelby | 2025 MI (2025) | 6’1 OH | FaR Out One of the most exciting up and comers from the 2025 class, Navea Gauthier Navea Gauthier 6'1" | OH Shelby | 2025 MI has established a name for herself already and is continuing with an amazing freshman campaign with FaR Out. Gauthier leads this squad in just about every aspect playing six rotations. Gabriella Babinski Gabriella Babinski 6'1" | OH South Lyon East | 2025 MI (2025) | 6’1 OPP | Michigan Elite  She’s finding herself having a breakout season. Gabriella Babinski Gabriella Babinski 6'1" | OH South Lyon East | 2025 MI is a pin attacker everyone needs to take note of. She can kill it on both pins, but after a recent transition to the right pin, Babinski has been on a terror as of late. Olivia Grenadier Olivia Grenadier 5'11" | MB Country Day | 2025 MI (2025) | 6’1 MB | Legacy Jumping out of the gym, Olivia Grenadier Olivia Grenadier 5'11" | MB Country Day | 2025 MI is having an explosive club season and is one of the big contributors this tough Legacy squad. Grenadier’s block is growing with every watch and her attack continues to be elite. Reese Dunkle Reese Dunkle 6'2" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State IN (2025) | 6’2 MB | Circle City Another middle blocker looking to make a splash in the Motor City, Reese Dunkle Reese Dunkle 6'2" | MB Center Grove | 2025 State IN is proving herself to be one of the best this season. Dunkle is an elite blocker and a growing talent in the middle to take note of this weekend.  Mina Diggs (2025) | 5’8 OH | NEO This squad is full of explosive, undersized dandies. The hops and power of Mina Diggs caught my attention during Presidents’ Day weekend in the same convention center she’ll be returning to this weekend. She’s an exciting player to watch and will surely give many teams fits this weekend.  Catherine Flaharty Catherine Flaharty 6'0" | OH Saline | 2024 State MI (2024) | 6’2 OH | L2 Catherine Flaharty Catherine Flaharty 6'0" | OH Saline | 2024 State MI has been a joy to watch this entire season. With every viewing, she continues to improve. Flaharty is an elite attacker with great range with her shots around the court. Look for her to continue leading this L2 squad throughout the weekend. Ava Utterback Ava Utterback 5'10" | OH Plainfield | 2024 State #5 Nation IN (2024) | 5’11 OH | Circle City Circle City is not lacking of elite pins from top to bottom of the program, Ava Utterback Ava Utterback 5'10" | OH Plainfield | 2024 State #5 Nation IN is a prime example. She’s a crafty attacker that can bring the heat and the smarts to score almost instantly. Watch Utterback to go off in Detroit. Sophie Crawford Sophie Crawford 6'0" | S Gull Lake | 2024 State MI (2024) | 6’1 S | Dead Frog She’s one of the most underrated setters in the state of Michigan for the 2024 class. Sophie Crawford Sophie Crawford 6'0" | S Gull Lake | 2024 State MI is a lengthy setter with a knack for running a fast offense. A consistent top performer in our Prep Dig Showcases, I am excited to see Crawford in action with Dead Frog. Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'0" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State MI (2024) | 5’11 MB | FaR Out Another player that shined the last time the TCF Center held a volleyball tournament for Presidents’ Day was Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'0" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State MI . Hopewell is not only a high flier, but she can thump the ball. Not just from the middle either, but Hopewell can deliver the smoke show anywhere on the net. Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 MI (2024) | 6’1 S | Five:1 A top performer from Prep Dig’s Top 250 showcase in December, I haven’t been able to catch Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 MI in action since. But what I saw when I did, I loved! Smith is a taller setter with a great touch on the ball.