Lansing Area’s 2026 Players To Watch, Part 2

<!-- 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 Lansing area can get overlooked when it comes to volleyball talent, but the Class of 2026 has produced a great group of players that deserve some attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the second of our two-part look at the 2026 talents in the capital area that should be making plenty of noise this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kamsi Iweajunwa, MB Grand Ledge/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iweajunwa is definitely a real hidden gem in this class. The 5'10” middle is extremely explosive and the ball flies off her hand. She can touch 117 inches and has the hang time to wait on the ball to deliver unstoppable attacks. She's also grown as a blocker, showing improved timing. Iweajunwa made big strides her junior season, so expect big things as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732275' first='Annika' last='Platte'], OH Pewamo-Westphalia/Attack</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte is another in a strong line of hitters to come through the P-W program. The Pirates have produced a number of talent that has went on to the next level and Platte fits in nicely with that group. She shows a lot of great court awareness, and finishes points with finesse as well as she does with a power swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lucy Roberts, MB DeWitt</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts showed a lot of aggressiveness and relentlessness in her play last fall. She's got a lot of promise if she can continue to improve on her footwork and timing. She had spurts where she could dominate for the Panthers in the middle. When connecting with her setters, she had some devastating attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Paloma Rosati, S Okemos</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosati took big strides in her play last fall while running the Okemos offense. She showed more confidence and better decision-making as the season went along. Her leadership skills also improved, which should lead to a strong fall running the Wolves' offense. Rosati is a steady contributor defensively with her digging ability, and also her timing on her blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732266' first='Paige' last='Thelen'], OH Fowler</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thelen is a hard-working outside that gives her all to every aspect of the game. She takes on a lead role as an attacker and as a defender. At the net, Thelen has an aggressive swing where she really powers through the ball to fight past blockers. Defensively, Thelen is technically sound and moves well to stay in good position to keep the ball off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rachel Wirth, DS/L Fowler</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wirth is another talented defender in the top-heavy CMAC. Wirth has good reach and length for the position and is able to react lightning quick to make a tough dig. She stays low to the ground and squares up well to opposing attackers. Wirth also can swing the momentum of a match with a potent serve that keeps opponents out-of-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->