Updated 2027 Rankings: The Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another August and another rankings update. This week, we bring you the Class of 2027. We have some slight movement this go around with some players moving up and into the top ten. There is no change at the top, with Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='475339' first='Shaye' last='Witherspoon'] still holding down the throne. She didn't do anything this spring to relinquish that spot, having a strong spring with her [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] team. She is a known enforcer on the outside, but the improvement in her defense and passing has been good to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='828314' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'] still sits as the second-ranked player in our 2027 rankings. She played very well in the middle for HPSTL. She is quick off the ground and has a wicked arm swing to get balls through the block. We have a new face in the top ten, and she comes in at number three. [player_tooltip player_id='828205' first='Dorothy' last='Durrill'], better known as May, makes a big leap after looking very good during the club circuit. She is a [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']ful middle who has tremendous court vision. She also exhibits the ability to take over a match defensively at the net. She has pledged to the University of North Carolina. [player_tooltip player_id='544668' first='Madelyn' last='Mannebach'] slides down a spot with Durill's entry. She is a player who can score on either pin and also had a strong spring with her blocking numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Tennessee State has won the sweepstakes for our fifth-ranked player, [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry']. We continue to be impressed with her play and ability to see the floor and find the dead zones. She has a high volleyball IQ and is an effective scorer. Breaking up what could appear to be an East side of the state bias, [player_tooltip player_id='446328' first='Tori' last='Massengill'] is the 6th-ranked player. The Lee's Summit West/KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] product has continued to develop into a formidable six-rotation outside hitter. Behind Massengill is Potosi prep star [player_tooltip player_id='809606' first='Eden' last='Robart']. It appears she's taking her talents to HPSTL next year, so I'm excited to see her against a higher level of competition. We saw Robart live in action at our most recent showcase, and she has the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] and offensive tenacity to perform at the open level. I want to see her defense and back row play in that environment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396499' first='Kinley' last='Gillihan'] appears to have gotten better each month, and that's a rare compliment. She is the 8th-ranked player in a deep middle class. She is one of the stronger attackers on the slide out of this group and also a wall at the net. The top setter in the class is [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabriella' last='Schwoeppe']. She has many weapons around her, but the decision-making and ball placement are key to their success. Rounding out our top ten and making her first appearance in the top ten is libero [player_tooltip player_id='475328' first='Audrey' last='Schaeffer']. Listen, it's rare for a defender to slide into the top ten with all of the terminal attackers, high-performing middles, and next-level setters, but Schaeffer is a game-changer. I could watch her all day with her defensive playmaking and passing. This is only one writer's opinion, but there isn't a better second ball, setter out ball deliverer in the state of Missouri. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->