2027 Game Changers: Who Can Make the Difference?

<p><em><strong>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!</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>The current high school has become nothing short of action filled. Between new names emerging in prominence to familiar faces continuing their domination, this season has been full of fun matchups.</p>   <p>We took a look at some of the top seniors looking to cement themselves in the history books, now we got to take a look at some of the best juniors that are looking to make their mark. In this one, we have a bit of a mixed bag. We are looking at game changers. These are players who are on the rise, players who are on the come back and those thrown around positions. </p>   <p>These are some of the top names in the 2027 class that you need to keep an eye on this fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='839917' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] for Flat Rock</h2>   <p>Flat Rock has long been a team that could really do some damage in the Division 2 scene. If there is a year to really make a splash, there is no better one than this season. This team is led by [player_tooltip player_id='839917' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] who is steadily becoming one of the most elite attackers in the state. The 5'11 Outside Hitter has just about all the shots. With range to hit from just about anywhere on the court, there is no telling where she could kill teams. </p>   <p>While uber valuable, and just getting better, Giroux and Flat Rock welcome a very talented piece that could turn this program on its head. Recently, Flat Rock received the transfer of Setter [player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan']. Ryan, who has spent the last two seasons at Divine Child, has opted to transfer in district. Despite being an in-district addition, Ryan is currently in conversations with MHSAA on eligibility. With a clearance for this season, Ryan's play at the setter position could really do a number in elevating the Rams' stock. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] for Utica Eisenhower</h2>   <p>After last year's breakout season, everyone should be somewhat familiar with this name. And with that familiarity, you would know that [player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann']'s season did not end on the best of terms. In what would have been a true career defining performance in the Division Quarterfinals versus Marian, Biermann went down with an ACL tear mid-match. </p>   <p>Fast forward more than nine months, surprisingly, Biermann is back on the court. While visibly not 100% back, it is very promising the way this one is playing given her injury. With each and every outing, Biermann is looking stronger and more poised than before. Come October, and most definitely November, we could very much see Biermann hitting her stride and welcome back her former glory that she found a season ago.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] for Orchard Lake St. Mary's</h2>   <p>Unfortunately, this another one of those injury bug scenarios. [player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] was gaining a lot of buzz and momentum entering the 2025 fall season. She had a breakout club season and had a lot of heads turning with her dynamic play. Orchard Lake St. Mary had managed to win a tough district despite Weber in a limited/non-contributing role. These two points together, offer up one heck of a potential for OLSM.</p>   <p>However, we will have to wait for that as Weber sustained an injury over the summer. Luckily, this injury doesn't seem to be the kind that sidelines the burgeoning talent for the entirety. Depending on her return and her health, OLSM could break a lot of hearts during the stretch that it matters most. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] for Marian</h2>   <p>Last year saw the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']. Who was once a third or fourth option on this deep bench had quickly found herself as one of the first names to call. That has only gotten more so the case. Last year, Smith was a great compliment to then superstar, Izzy Busignani, on the right pin. But after a HUGE club season that saw Smith not only boost her stock big time, but win another national title, she is entering the fall making statements.</p>   <p>So far on the fall, Smith is attacking at a much higher clip and with much more range. Her dynamic nature on the right pin, a position that seems to be often overlooked at the high school level, gives Marian in edge in many of their matchups. Smith also delivers a better sense of leadership this year. As one of the team's leading scorers and vocal presences, Smith is making a huge impact.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] for Byron Center</h2>   <p>When it comes to this player, one question comes to mind. What can't this girl do? While we've long documented [player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']'s above average presence on the volleyball court, i am not sure many would've thought that she could hang and bang with the biggest of attackers as one of the country's best liberos. Needless to say, here she is, six rotation outside hitter and doing some big work for Byron Center.</p>   <p>For those that know, may not be as surprised though. Documented throughout the summer, Johnson has been killing it on the beach side of things, winning multiple tournaments out of West Michigan in high level pair tournaments. This, surely, has aided her prep into becoming a force behind and in front of the 10 foot line. The name of their game is ball control, with both Johnson as well as [player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'], one of the state's young talents in the libero jersey, the Bulldogs have an abundance of defense and back court control to go around. With having both of these two in the game at all times, gives BC opportunities to wear out opponents to earn big matchs. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'] for Oxford</h2>   <p>Let's talk about another player who can do it all. [player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'] has quite literally DONE IT ALL. Push aside some middle action, which I wouldn't be entirely shocked by, Mirovsky is taking on a new role this fall for Oxford. She has set for the majority of her career thus far, she has recently taken up libero duties and thrived in the said role, and now she is looked to be Oxford's leading scorer on the left pin.</p>   <p>Much like Byron Center as well, Oxford is at no shortage of littles to fill in back court duties. Not only does this system suit them well to have multiple in for the whole game, but Mirovsky has proven to have one heavy arm. As an undersized attacker, Brenna not only has a heavy arm, but is unsurprising equipped with a range of shots to score a point. With her versatility of positions, Mirovsky knows just about all the shots needed to score without hammering away at big blocks and tough defenses.</p>

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