Five 2027 Prospects To Watch In The Upper Peninsula

<!-- 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>The Upper Peninsula routinely brings out teams that compete for state titles, despite being an area that can be heavily overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Class of 2027, there were five sophomores that stoop out in the UP, earning All-Region honors for the respective teams. Here's a look at the five, highlighted by some outstanding defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jess Anderson, L/DS Calumet</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson made a big impact as a sophomore for the Copper Kings, as she was named Defensive Specialist of the Year for the West Peninsula Athletic Conference. Anderson played with a lot of maturity and showed great court awareness to help Calumet lockdown a lot of top opposing hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Amelia Miller, L/DS Pickford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another talented sophomore defender in the UP, Miller did a nice job of timing out her sprawls and dives to make impressive digs during the prep season. She didn't have much wasted movement in the back court. Each step she took was with purpose and allowed her to get into good position to dig up an attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ahnaka Oshelski, OH Sault Area</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multi-sport talent, Oshelski shows good composure as an offensive leader for Sault Area. She doesn't try to do more with a swing than what is there, and does a nice job of reading the court so she can put the ball in an open area with a lot of late adjustments at the net. When Oshelski gets a good look, she can unload on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Payton Pederson, OH Big Bay de Noc</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pederson was a consistent part of the lineup for Big Bay de Noc, as she contributed in all phases of the game for the Black Bears. She showed as a sophomore that she can shift the momentum with her serving, defense and attacks. Pederson has a nice mixture of shot speeds and spreads the ball out well. She should only continue to improve on her tempo and velocity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ivy York, DS/L Sault Area</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about someone with a nose for the ball, York racked up some incredible dig numbers as a sophomore, numbers that would compete with any defender in the state. York anticipated the play very well, but also covered a lot of ground in quick fashion to rack up dozens of digs each match. She played with a lot of command and confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->