Month Out From June 15th, Who From Michigan Got the Call?

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!   <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">The Summer Showcase Season</a> is here! Do you want to be seen? Do you want to be the next one announcing your college plans? <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">Join us at Prep Dig this summer.</a> Get your name out there and ball out with some of the best in the country. Be sure to use the code LShotDig2025 to get $$ off at registrations!   –   Open up the flood gates! Here comes the Class of 2027!   June 15th was exactly a month ago TODAY, and in those short four weeks, SO MUCH has happened in the volleyball world. Commitments started flowing in from exactly 12:10 AM on the 15th, putting LSU on the board first for the class. After that, it did not take very long for more and more announcements begin to trickle down.   In the last month, the Michigan kids have been HARD at work. When they aren't taking phone calls, having their last practices of the club season, they were also winning national championships. Then tack on the gauntlet that is the USAV National circuit. It's been a doozy.   Did we mention the top prospects also probably spent the first two weeks of June bouncing around College camps looking for their right fit?! June is made for volleyball hysteria! But we love it nonetheless!   With a month out since June 15th, let's see WHO got the CALLS and from WHERE?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/mallory-wandel-semifinals-crop-1463x961-1752689715.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-836001" style="width:285px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] to Michigan State</h2>   6'1 OH - Rockford/MVA   With the very first one on the board, this one is quite a poetic commitment. It has been a LONG while since Michigan State has brought in a homegrown talent to their gym. Something that the Spartans had become known for in the college volleyball space, a home for the in-state talent.   Since 2022, the Spartan roster has dwindled into just having one native player on their roster, Evie Doezema, one of the few to withstand the constant change. Just in their first spring as the new staff at State, HC Kristen Kelsay and Company have changed that tune. Not only did they bring home 2023 Novi Alum, Sarah Vellucci, from Long Beach State, but they now have one of the highest rated commits in Michigan, [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] (Rockford/MVA).   [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] announces her commitment to the Spartans after an enormous year for the 6'1 outside hitter. After leading Rockford to the Division 1 Finals in the fall, she continued to raise her stock at MVA as one of the club's top players. With MSU's history with west side talent development, brand new staff and playing in front of your home crowd, this is a no brainer for both parties.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] to University of North Carolina</h2>   5'8 S - Clarkston/Legacy   I knew this one wouldn't take long, but a matter of WHERE was the big question. [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] (Clarkston/Legacy), without a doubt, is one of the premier players in the country. At the setter position, Smith is the driving force to every team she leads. Despite her size, many of the top programs were willing to look past this due to her ability to manipulate the game and her on-court leadership that bodes years beyond her age.   After a couple of classes of going after Michigan talent, this marks North Carolina's first. This is definitely the kind of talent you want to start a potential pipeline. Smith sets her eyes on a program that climbed their way back to being one of the top programs in the ACC once again. With such a high IQ for the game, I could see Smith in a multitude of capacities during her time at Carolina. Whether that be setting or elsewhere, Smith is a game-changing get for the Tar Heels.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] to Alabama</h2>   5'6 L - South Lyon East/Legacy   From the Big Ten, to the ACC and now to the SEC, I am telling you, this class is no joke! This marks yet another Power 4 bound player from the Mitten and another who can make a major impact at her committed program. This also marks the second athlete from Michigan to commit to the Roll Tide following Allison Berent (Now at Iowa) in the 2023 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp'] has been on a quiet, yet steady ascent to becoming one of the top libero prospects in the Midwest. This commitment is coming off of a huge club season that saw Stepp, not only win her second straight national title, but also earned All-American honors in the AAU 16 Open division.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/DSC04422.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-836065" style="width:196px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] to Nebraska</h2>   5'8 L - Byron Center/FaR Out   This player has been the top prospect in the state for years now and for VERY good reason. Cementing herself as a tier above the rest, [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']'s (Byron Center/FaR Out) skill hasn't gone unnoticed. Since she began the sport, Johnson has been playing at least two age groups up in club and dominating along the way. Something one of the biggest volleyball programs in the world was very aware about.   This marks a fourth recruit for the Cornhuskers out of Michigan in the last five classes. Johnson will join the likes of Harper Murray, Campbell Flynn, and [player_tooltip player_id='226886' first='Gabby' last='DiVita'] in the going trend of Michigan talent to the Big Red. Under a new era of Husker Volleyball led by former Louisville HC Dani Busboom-Kelly, Johnson has all of the makings to be the next major star in Lincoln. Her poise and leadership on the court are way beyond her years. Take a peak at her play and you too will be convinced of her abilities to control the game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] to Ohio State</h2>   6'1 OH - Mercy/Ohio State   [player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] (Mercy/Legacy) has quickly become one of the driving forces in the 2027 class. As one of the top rated outside hitters in the country, Kalczynski has spent no time leaving her mark. Already in her short prep career thus far, the starlet has amassed an impressive resume. Spanning from a state championship to multiple AAU National championships, Kalczynski is a key to success.   A key to success so much so, Ohio State is going to rely upon this player to unlock the next level for Buckeye Volleyball. This marks the second player within three recruiting classes to opt for the state south of the border. Kalczynski will join forces with MHSAA All-Time Kills leader, Navea Gauthier. A combination of both of these stellar pin attackers could mean a recipe for success for an Ohio State program looking to reignite their former glory.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/DSC04729-crop-1537x1010-1752695485.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-836080" style="width:297px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='835015' first='Lizzie' last='Risdon']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835015' first='Lizzie' last='Risdon'] to University of Ohio</h2>   5'10 OH/L - Zeeland East/FaR Out   Another Michigan standout has their eyes set on the state south of the border. From Ohio State to the University of Ohio, the Michigan Class of 2027 is looking to make their mark. [player_tooltip player_id='835015' first='Lizzie' last='Risdon'] (Zeeland East/FaR Out) marks the second commit out of the FaR Out cannon and the second libero in the entire class to mark down her next landing pad.   Risdon has been on quite the upward trajectory over the last few months. Entering the club season, she was one of many pins on a stacked 16 Black roster at FaR Out. Throughout the course of the season, her defense and ball control shined and from there, Risdon has seemingly found her home in the back court. With continued development, Risdon could really make her mark at Ohio right away.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/Sophia-Smith-1-crop-1771x1163-1752695394.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-836078" style="width:298px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] to Boston College</h2>   6'2 OPP - Marian/Legacy   Speaking of players who's stock went through the roof this year, nobody has had quite the upward momentum like [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] (Marian/Legacy). After an explosive fall that saw Smith lead Marian back to the Division 1 Final Four, Smith became a critical piece in the repeat winning puzzle for Legacy. Without the performance of Smith on the right pin for Legacy, the odds of being a 2x National Champion dwindles significantly.   With all eyes on Smith late to the game, Boston College may have just achieved the steal of the 2027 class. Smith brings so much to an Eagles program looking to make the jump in the NCAA ranks. Between her winning ways, size and physicality, Smith could be a player that steps onto the court and makes immediate impact for BC. This is also a huge win for the ACC Conference as the acquire two of the biggest names in the 2027 class with Sophia and Marlie.

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