Oakland County’s Top 2027 Talents: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Prep Dig Michigan will be hosting two Showcase events on Sunday, Aug. 3. You can now register for the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1540/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> or the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1521/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em>. Use code “EllisDig2025” to get $10 off your registration.*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland County is always one of the top areas for volleyball talent. The county has consistently produced Division 1 college athletes as well as Miss Volleyball winners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at what Oakland County is bringing to the table from the Class of 2027. This is the first part of three of OC's top 2027 talents, listed in alphabetical order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471313' first='Nellie' last='Alves'], S Novi/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a 6-foot setter, Alves is always a threat to turn on the ball herself to finish a point, but she's also got a really deceptive game that allows her to score on multiple dumps each match. You can see her instincts improving each month and she's got a great feel for her team and when to push the pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442991' first='Leah' last='Bongiovanni'], OH Marian/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bongiovanni is in a crowded field of young hitters at Marian, but she shows a lot of promise and could be a potential breakout star in the class. The 6-footer keeps her arm angle at a high point to power through the ball. She generates a lot of forward momentum as well, leading to some impressive kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'], OH South Lyon/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duncan is proving she can handle some high-pressure situations and lead her team offensively. The 5'10” outside has a great approach to the net and is very consistent in her swing. She also moves well defensively and comes through with some difficult digs. Her effort and energy can never be questioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'], OH Mercy/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6'1” outside that gets better each week, Kalczynski has the ability to power through any defensive set up, but also has the intelligence to make the smart play when defenses are keying on her. Kalczynski is already an elite offensive player, but keeps working on her defensive game to be a sharp all-around outside hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'], OH OLSM/High Performance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 2027 prospect that has really shot up the rankings, Kapeller has shown time and again to be a kill machine. At 6'1” and with a lot of explosiveness off the floor, Kapeller has picture-perfect attacks that generate a lot of power. She's also a very underrated defender that can look just as comfortable taking on a big dig as she is laying down a big kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454367' first='Isabelle' last='Lawhorn'], MH/OH Lake Orion/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawhorn originally started as a middle years ago, but keeps looking more and more like a complete outside. She's got great form in her swing and has a lot of hang time to combine with her 6-foot length. She's already putting the ball away at a high rate from both pins, but is also adding a lot to her defensive play and growing in confidence on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'], OH Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An injury ended her prep season early, but LeFevre has picked up where she left off during club season. She looks really smooth moving around the floor and is playing on instinct, usually making the right choice with her shot selection. LeFevre can put the ball away from anywhere on the floor and has a great follow through on her swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->