Potential Breakout Prep Stars In 2026, Part 2

<!-- 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 2 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='513265' first='Anna' last='Overway'], Sr. OH Plainwell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overway has been putting in the work to be one of the stronger outsides in the Class of 2027 and this fall will be her opportunity to drive that point home. She's already been productive for Plainwell, but this season feels like we could see Overway take her game into another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marie Powers, Sr. MH Coldwater</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals graduate their kills leader, but Powers emerged as a promising middle in her junior year and that could lead to a very big senior year. Powers hit over .320 as a junior and was a dominant blocker on defense. This fall, she could see even more swings while continuing to be a real problem for opposing attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan'], Sr. S Flat Rock</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan is well known around the state, but had to sit out a good portion of 2025 due to transfer rules. She still was a big reason for Flat Rock making a run to the D2 final last fall, but a whole season to run the offense in 2026 should bring out the best in Ryan. This year should give her a chance to display her full set of skills and how impressive a setter she can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe'], Jr. OH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stakoe has already made somewhat of a name for herself, as she was a great complement to Kayla Nwabueze on the Bloomfield Hills offense. But, with Nwabueze off to Harvard, this gives Stakoe the opportunity to be the lead hitter in what should still be a strong offensive team. With more opportunities, Stakoe could put up some very big kill numbers in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808066' first='Nevaeh' last='Streich'], Jr. OH Dexter</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dexter has a nice breakout season as a team last fall, but had some key senior leaders guide the team to success. Streich was one of the key contributors as a sophomore, but will now have a chance to take on a lead role in the offense as a junior on the outside. She showed a lot of shot-making ability in 2025. If she can add new pieces to her attack, it should be a big fall for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826916' first='Kyra' last='Vukovic'], Sr. MB/RS Lansing Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'4” Vukovic brings some great length to the net, but she's got the footwork and agility to be a special player. Her senior year could lead to some truly dominant play, as she won't be holding anything back to help lead Lansing Catholic to success. Teams will have to be ready to game plan against this athletic middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='526553' first='Liv' last='Wender'], Jr. S Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wender made a big splash as a freshman at Lowell, but then had to sit out her sophomore season after making the move to GRCC. That has driven Wender throughout the last year to keep improving and sharpening her game. Also able to play the RS, Wender brings all the tools you want in a setter/hitter prospect and you can expect her to hit the ground running this fall with GRCC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->