Lansing Area’s 2027 Hidden Gems, 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>The Lansing area is looking like a real hidden gem when it comes to 2027 talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore class last fall really stood out from the capital area and there's some names you need to be keeping track of heading into he 2025 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's part 1 of our two-part look at the top 2027 talents in the Lansing area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Abby Brannan, OH Williamston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brannan looks really comfortable on the court and makes some difficult shots look rather effortless. She doesn't need a lot of space to still generate a powerful swing, but that just means she can still take her offense to another level. Now that she has established her fundamentals, look for Brannan to take her game up another level this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523853' first='Camyla' last='Copelin'], OH/S/DS Lakewood</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Copelin is a true utility player, as she can play any of the major positions and do so with success. She's undersized compared to other outsides, but she still packs quite a punch with her attacks. She has great form on her swing and gets good lift off the floor. She also plays technically sound when it comes to her defensive choices.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Delaney Cutter, MH Mason</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cutter showed as a sophomore she is going to find a way to make an impact in most matches. She puts away some impressive balls each set, but can get hot in a hurry and give opposing defenses fits. Defensively, Cutter is improving on her timing with her blocking and is someone that will be a factor for opposing hitters to think about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512835' first='Stella' last='DiMaggio'], DS/L East Lansing/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DiMaggio shows some promise in the back row. She is able to get to a lot of balls and recorded a lot of digs this club season. She sees the court well and stays light on her feet. Sometimes DiMaggio can over pursue, but she's able to adjust her delivery and still make an accurate feed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jenna Hitchcock, OH DeWitt/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hitchcock looks like a prospect that could break out in the next year. The powerful lefty delivers a really impressive ball on the right side. She's got great form and is able to connect with the ball at its high point. Hitchcock makes aggressive attacks on the sidelines and brings a lot of momentum shifts for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rachel Kirk, DS/L St. Johns</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirk was a dig machine in her sophomore season with St. Johns, which bodes well for the Redwings defense in the next couple of seasons. Kirk has a knack for getting to the ball and keeps herself low to the ground to make sure she can get under the toughest attacks. She plays composed and with plenty of confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534475' first='Elle' last='Lorente'], OH Eaton Rapids/Attack VBC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lorente is a multi-sport standout that had a big sophomore season for Eaton Rapids. She showed the savvy to be able to finish at the net with a wide variety of shots speeds and angles. Teams knew the ball was coming her way, but she quickly adapted to each defense and found ways to put the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849900' first='Leighton' last='Marlan'], S Lansing Catholic/FaR out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lansing Catholic is loaded with 2027 talent and Marlan is a setter that is getting plenty of experience running a high-tempo offense and working with talented hitters. She looks to be in more control as she has went through club season. She should step into the 2025 fall season with a lot of confidence in her play, as she has plenty of talented hitters to work with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->