Top 250 Expo Evaluations: 2027 Prospects, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 prospects at the Michigan Top 250 Expo were a talented bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of future stars in the state got a chance to showcase their talents and definitely turned some heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the first part of our 2027 player evaluations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Nellie Alves, S Novi/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":488797,"width":"229px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/161-Nellie-Alves.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-488797" style="width:229px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nellie Alves</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alves was a good hustle player and it really came through on her defensive effort. She wasn't always able to get a clean pass, but she did her all to get to each ball and kept them in play. As a setter, Alves has good instincts and she showed she can also take a good swing at the ball herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442997' first='Morgan' last='Bates'], S Stoney Creek/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bates was very consistent in her locations and got the ball to her hitters with a good chance to succeed. She wasn't the flashiest setter at the event, but she played her position effectively and that's what is important on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann'], OH Eisenhower/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biermann showed a lot of maturity on the court for a 2027 prospect. She seems to have a good feel for where to be and where the play is going. Her athleticism shines in all phases of the game and she showed she can make a difference on the attack, or as a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='460587' first='Bridget' last='Boughton'], S Lakeland/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boughton was very repetitive and almost looked like she was on a loop during her drills. She maintained the same form, same technique with each set. That certainly isn't a bad thing, as it provides consistency. However, I would like to see her take a few more chances and really explore her capabilities as she develops as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Maya Colon, DS/L Troy/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colon was a good communicator, doing a nice job of directing traffic in the back row and asserting herself when it was time to step up and make a dig or take on a serve. She got more consistent with her passing as the expo went on as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Julia Colosimo, OH Bloomfield Hills/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colosimo is a prospect that has all the tools to be successful, she just needs to keep working to put them together. She's got the athleticism and the quickness, but doesn't quite have her timing down yet. That will come with more reps and a little more confidence. There's good things in her future as she puts the pieces together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sofia Culley, DS/L WL Northern/Team D</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":488803,"width":"227px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/167-Sofia-Culley.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-488803" style="width:227px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sofia Culley</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Culley definitely put a lot of effort into her play and tried to make the most of each opportunity. Her technique is a little different, but it still was effective. She's got a big wind up on her serve, which really challenged her peers. Sometimes she had a little bit of happy feet in the back row, but the energy and determination is where you want it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Katelynn Dabish, S Orchard Lake St. Mary's/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dabish was right in the mix with the setting crop. She wasn't the flashiest player, but she remained consistent and took well to her coaching. She got some really impressive swings out of her hitters and she found ways to contribute defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'], OH South Lyon/Dynamite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duncan has a lot of promise, as she's a well-rounded player. She's got the fundamentals when it comes to hitting, serving, passing and blocking. The real positive is that it's clear Duncan can still find another level in those areas as well. She still seems tentative at times, but if she kind dial up the aggression and intensity, she's going to really take off as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green'], OH Detroit Country Day/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is listed at 5'11”, but she plays longer and makes some real impact plays at the net by being able to utilize her length with relentlessness. When it comes to her swings, her contact is solid. She has her timing in a good place for consistent power. As she develops more arm speed, she's going to really finish at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->