Potential Breakout Prep Stars In 2026, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's going to be a lot of great talent taking the floor during the 2026 prep season in a few months, but the talent may be even deeper than some see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for some players to really up their game and make a name for themselves among the state's best this fall, given they will get some more opportunities next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's Part 1 of our 2-part look at some of the potential breakout stars for the 2026 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809557' first='Brooklyn' last='Beardsley'], Jr. MH Lake Fenton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Fenton graduated a talented class of 2026, but they still have a potent player in Beardsley, a 6-foot middle with a lot of athleticism and quickness. She's going to be a focal point of the attack this year and could show a lot of dominant stretches if she can continue to finish at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza'], Sr. DS/L Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buza has had to be patient, as she's been a top defensive prospect for years, but has been behind one of the program's top players at the position in Kayla Ostrander. Still, it has been a good learning experience for this fall, where Buza will get her chance to lead the defensive effort for Eisenhower and show she can also be an elite defensive prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888384' first='Allysse' last='Deshetsky'], So. OH North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos are accustomed to having a Deshetsky lead the way, so with Aubree moving on to college after leading the state in kills, and Hannah Thomas also graduating in the middle, North Branch will need a new leader and the sophomore seems like a good breakout candidate. She was third on the team in kills as a freshman and showed increased aggressiveness and confidence as the season went on. Look for big gains from her in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green'], Sr. MH Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-time defending D2 champs have had to adjust to losing some big hitters each of the last two years, but have managed to maintain a high level of play. With Elise Hiemstra graduating, the Yellowjackets could shift back to focusing on the middles. DCD has two upcoming seniors in Green and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko']</strong> that could each break out. Green led the two in kills last year, but both are strong finishers and can swing a match. Expect these two to be big assets for DCD this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534475' first='Elle' last='Lorente'], Sr. OH Eaton Rapids</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greyhounds had a solid 1-2 punch last fall, but graduated their kill leader in Abigail Hoag. That leaves the door open for Lorente to build on what she did in 2025 and prove she can be the leader of this Eaton Rapids offense. She's shown strides in her game each year and looks ready to take that next step as a player in her senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582308' first='Kendall' last='Michels'], Sr. S/RS Laingsburg</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michels is a do-everything player that gets somewhat overlooked being at a D3 program, but she has been able to show that she can hold her own with anyone during club season. Michels is driven to emerge from a talented pack of setters and right sides and show she's got the goods to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523843' first='Addison' last='Naplin'], Sr. OH Vicksburg</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naplin has been somewhat under the radar despite doing really good things on the court, but she can't be ignored heading into 2026. Last fall she showed a well-balanced game that allowed Vicksburg to rely on her in all phases. As a senior, Naplin will be ready to really explode and let the state know she's one of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->