Michigan Winter Rankings Update: 2027 Outside Hitters

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>The 2027 Rankings have been updated!</p>   <p>This fall was the start of what will be a huge year for the Class of 2027. Many of the classes top prospects emerged as big power players in the high school space and proved to be game chagers in their respective programs. Exiting the fall, and entering the winter, this marks the beginning of a huge recruiting year for the class. A mere six months and 15 days stand between these players and the opening of the all important June 15th date.</p>   <p>Take a look below at the latest update alongside some of the biggest stock risers and new names!</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Risers</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] - Rockford/MVA</h4>   <p>This past fall was the breakout season for [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']. If you don't know this name, put it at the top of your list. Wandel has one of the heaviest arms in the class and plays with a lot of spark. Her game, particularly in her technique to her attacking, is very reminiscent of a Sarah Franklin. Which for those that know, KNOW!</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson'] - Harper Creek/FaR Out</h4>   <p>Another electric player that is just getting started. [player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson'] too had herself a coming out party this fall. This player is so explosive and electric on the court. The energy she brings play after play for not only herself, but her teammates is some of the most entertaining things you can find. It almost rivals how exciting it is to watch her play.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'] - Essexville-Garber/Michigan Elite</h4>   <p>I am not sure if anyone is coming into the club season with as much heat as [player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'] is. In an unprecedented run to the Division 2 Final Four, Lenhard was unstoppable. Seemingly every match of the tournament, she got better and better. So good, in fact, Lenhard broke the MHSAA record for most kills in a four set match with 47 in the regional final.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] - Marian/Legacy</h4>   <p>Marian may graduate one of the biggest hitters in the state, but here comes another one ready to lead the herd. [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] had one of the most winningest 2024s of any player in Michigan. After helping guide Legacy to a 15 Open title at AAU Nationals, Smith followed it up by being one of the biggest pieces in Marian's run to Battle Creek. Smith is finding her groove on the right pin and starting to play the game at a really aggressive level.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] - Orchard Lake St. Mary/High Performance</h4>   <p>Orchard Lake St. Mary wouldn't of been the dark horse that is was this year without the play of [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']. Another lengthy player with a growing range in shots and speed, Kapeller is showing signs to be one of the top rated outsides in this class. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones'] - Richmond/Michigan Elite</h4>   <p>She may be small, but man, is she mighty. [player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones'] is one of the most electrifying players to come across in this class. At 5'8, Jones has an insane vertical that goes well beyond the tape of the net. At such altitude, Jones can pack a seriously heavy punch that leaves so many teams unable to defend.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'] - Milford/L2</h4>   <p>Similar to Jones, [player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'] is another undersized player, sitting at 5'10, that can really hang with some of the biggest of players. She was starting to pick up a lot of steam at the latter portions of the club season last summer. She is developing a nice range of shots to go along with her high vert and quick arm.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names to Know</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732307' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] - Flat Rock/Michigan Elite</h4>   <p>I could see this player being one that shakes up the class a lot over the next few years. [player_tooltip player_id='732307' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] had somewhat of a breakout season at Flat Rock this fall. An All-Region selection, Giroux showed some serious potential leading her squad in kills and overall points. Moving up to play at a higher level club scene, I could definitely see Giroux finding another gear to her game.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] - Romeo/Michigan Elite</h4>   <p>Throw her in on the opposite, or throw her into set, [player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] proved to have quite the nice array of tools in her toolbox. The lefty showed a lot of her versatility off this fall, looking quite comfortable in either position. She enters an all important club season with a lot of potential to show off.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454375' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] - Hudsonville/FaR Out</h4>   <p>This player had a bit of a quiet freshman year, but after this fall, I feel like we will be hearing much more from [player_tooltip player_id='454375' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'] in the near future. Much like her older sister, Isabelle Swiercz (Central Michigan ), Whitney can be put a serious pop onto the ball. She is beginning to come into her lengthy wingspan a bit more as the fall went on, which made her so much more terminal on the left pin.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'] - South Lyon/High Performance</h4>   <p>South Lyon made a pretty big statement late in the season with their win over OLSM in the Regional Semifinals. A lot of this had to do with the game of [player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'] on the left pin. This player has such an athletic approach to the game, yet seems to be so raw yet. When she connects with the ball, she is lethal to tend to. </p>

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