2027 Prospect Roulette: December Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a new set of 2027 Player Rankings out this week, feels like a good time for Prospect Roulette for this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's how it works: I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 20 players in the 2027 rankings. I'll generate four numbers and the four that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention. I will then take five random numbers from the nearly 70 Watch List prospects. Their number is where they are alphabetically in the Watch List.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's see who has the lucky numbers for this month's edition:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'] MB Brighton/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ockerman is a 6'3” middle with a lot of upside and looks to be a dominant force for years to come. Ockerman showed the ability to finish at a high rate for Brighton while developing her blocking skills this fall. She can play at a very high pace and tempo. Ockerman seems to get better the faster the play is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>11. [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'], RS Romeo/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a complete player that can impact the game in all phases. She's got a lot of tools in her attack kit, able to finish with power or placement. She's also a smooth defender with great first contact. Williams also can step into the setter role and handle being the on-court general for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'], DS/L Byron Center/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earning the top ranking in this class doesn't come easy, which speaks to how strong Johnson has played thus far. Stepping into the starting libero role for Byron Center, Johnson played at an elite level, earning All-State honors as a freshman. She lifted Byron Center to being a top D1 contender this fall with her consistency and poise in the back row. Johnson is already one of the top liberos in the state, regardless of age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>18. [player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'], S Oxford/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mirovsky is another setter/hitter combo that has a great feel for the game at a young age. She stays well ahead of the play and can see things play out before they happen. That leads her to having great instincts with her sets and knowing when to call her own number. As a hitter, Mirovsky also shows a high IQ, finding ways to work past the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn'], MH Richmond/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pastuschyn got a chance to play for Richmond's varsity team this fall and she proved she could handle the challenge. She could play the middle or the outside and was tough to stop when she got rolling. Pastuschyn put consistent power on her swings, but could get deep into the back court from anywhere on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='454360' first='Rease' last='Buza'], DS/L Eisenhower/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buza was one of a number of young players that Eisenhower had to turn to in 2023 and the freshman really grew from the opportunity. Toward the end of the season, Buza had reached another level with her play. Her serve receive was consistently strong and Buza's footwork was always on point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='471313' first='Nellie' last='Alves'], S Novi/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alves had to take on lead setting duties for Novi this year, not an easy task with the Wildcats consistently facing the best teams in the state. Still, Alves learned a lot from this season and improved on her decision-making and feel for the game. Along with smooth setting, Alves is a solid defender that has an improving serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'], DS/L South Lyon East/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stepp was a big reason why South Lyon East was able to be a top contender in Division 1 this season. With a lot of big-match club experience, East wasn't shy to throw Stepp into a libero role early in the prep season. She's very poised in the position and makes great reads on serves. She's someone the Cougars can count on for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='490380' first='Emily' last='Wolter'], S Forest Hills Eastern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolter got an opportunity to really build on her defensive play this fall with FH Eastern and you could see that things came a lot easier for her toward the end of the year. She made a lot of quick reads and reactions to opposing attacks and put herself in position to make a tough dig look easy. As a setter, Wolter has a soft touch and her added defensive experience will only help her be a better decision-maker as a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->