'26 Michigan Commitment Catch-Up: What's Next? (Pt. 2)

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://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7618686972084735245?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374">WHO HAS THE BEST LINE SHOT?! TAKE YOUR VOTES HERE! </a>📍   --   t's been a bit quiet to start off the new year, but we have a flurry of recent commitments to update you on.   The state of Michigan is on a roll with some incredible classes going back to back. In terms of depth, talent and overall game, these athletes continue getting better and better. This is what makes these kinds of updates so fun. These players are going to some VERY notable places!   Things are ramping up at what seems like full-speed here. For the second edition of Commitment Catch Up in 2026, we have a handful of dandies. We have been treated to quite a bit of news to come out of the Michigan athletes lately. From the Division 3 level all the way to one of the better programs in Division 1, these slew of recently committed athletes are going to do big things at the next level.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732284' first='Maddy' last='VanBlack'] to St. Mary's</h2>   5'9 OH/DS - Tecumseh/Athlete HQ   This is an athlete that has had a career riddled with injuries. But when [player_tooltip player_id='732284' first='Maddy' last='VanBlack'] is on, she is ON point! A multi-sport athlete that has found herself excel in all, when she steps onto the volleyball court, she finds herself shining just a tad brighter than usual. At 5'9, VanBlack has the right attributes to thrive as both an attacker and a back court specialist.   Not only does VanBlack bring a sense of versatility to Saint Mary's but she'll be bringing an abundance of winning experience as well. With Tecumseh, the outside hitter has been a mainstay in some of the program's most successful years in the program. Her junior year saw the athlete lead her team as an outside hitter to a State Championship appearance in Division II. This last fall, as the team's libero, VanBlack made a midseason spark for Tecumseh to surge to the Elite 8 after making a successful return from injury.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] to Ferris State</h2>   5'9 OH/DS - Jenison/FaR Out   Much like VanBlack, it will be very telling to see where this player plays at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] has found herself have success in both the outside hitter position and at the libero position. Both of which though, she shines in her defense and reception duties. Paddock is making her case to be considered one of the top prospects in the state for that respective position, as she is just so sound in the back court.   From the Grand Rapids to the Big Rapids, Paddock is taking her game to the instate power house, Ferris State in the fall of 2027. This is a program that has found themselves year in and year out amongst the best in not only Michigan, but in the nation. Ferris State has grown a reputation for not only excellence in results, but excellence in development. A player like Paddock who has vast growing stock could see it explode as a Bulldog during her career.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'] to West Florida</h2>   5'10 OPP/S - Utica Eisenhower   We've seen this athlete play in about every position there is on the court. Whether she's hitting in every zone across the net or setting the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'] has only found success in every new position she's been thrown in. Not only has she found personal success, but she has found success with every team she's played on. An attribute that one of the best DII programs in the country most certainly saw and wanted for their own.   It was the high flying versatility and uber athleticism that stood out the most to the West Florida Argonauts. The possibilities are endless and with whichever option you choose, you get a winning result. Gegovic's growth over the last few years has become a huge reason why Utica Eisenhower has become the program to watch in Division 1 volleyball. For her 18s year, she's been playing her first year of open level with Michigan Elite 18 Mizuno and has only elevated the team. They will be heading to Reno with their bid in 18 Open that Gegovic had a large part in.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] to Grand Valley State</h2>   5'10 OPP/OH - Howell/Legacy   This player has seemingly fallen under the radar of many. She's not a part of a huge high school program and she's been steadily improving on the 2s for Legacy. But needless to say, [player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] is cooking up something quite exciting and who better to find her peak than at Grand Valley State.   Whether she is on the left or the right pin, O'Connell has become a big scoring weapon for the 17-2 Adidas this season. She's playing in just about every game at six rotations. While her ball control and defense holds up well, it's her offensive prowess in both the front row and back row that keeps her in the game. For a program like GVSU, this kind of prospect only fuels their recent fire as a DII Powerhouse. O'Connell had great options between GVSU and a fellow GLIAC rival just down the road from Howell.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] to Western Kentucky </h2>   5'10 S - Rockford/MVA   Many have been waiting for this announcement, [player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] has been on quite the run throughout the latter half of her prep career. She led the Rockford Rams to back-to-back Final Four appearances in Division 1. All of which with Delacher at the helm. From there, she has been the show runner for the MVA teams as well.   This is not only a big get for Delacher but a big get for Western Kentucky. WKU has built itself quite the name in recent years as one of the strongest mid-major programs in the country. As for Delacher, she has slowly but surely emerged into the conversation as one of the stronger setters to be coming out of the Mitten state. For Hilltopper fans, know that the Michigan athlete has proved more than a success in recent years. Hudson alum, Callie Bauer, just wrapped up her career at WKU this fall where she finished top 5 all-time in assists and was named to the AVCA All-America list multiple times. Delacher could very well step in and make a similar impact.   --   <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7621307523244526878?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621304062684595719">MLV ALL STAR GAME IS THIS WEEKEND - DON'T MISS IT!</a>

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