2027 Defenders Ready To Explode This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**PrepDig Michigan is putting on three Showcase Events in August. We have the <strong>Freshman Showcase </strong>and <strong>Stock Up Showcase </strong>on Aug. 2, with our inaugural <strong>Up Next Showcase </strong>for 2031-33 prospects on Aug. 16. You can sign up for these events now on <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/">our Events Page</a>.&nbsp;<strong>Use PROMO CODE “Drew26PD25OFF”&nbsp;</strong>to get 25% off your registration. Be sure to get locked in before you get left out.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at the Class of 2027 defenders, many make the move to being talented outsides come the fall season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either way, their defensive talents still shine. Coming into the 2026 fall season, there's some natural defenders that can make a big splash who might not get the attention they deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza'], Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["454360"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f327a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buza is definitely one of the players most likely to have a breakout 2026 fall season. After playing behind one of the best liberos in the Class of 2025, Buza will now get her opportunity to wear the jersey and show all she is capable of. The ceiling is very high for her, as she has the movement and vision to be one of the very best at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523872' first='Anika' last='Jaroszewski'], Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f32853"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A great all-around player that can do anything that is asked of her, Jaroszewski has the athleticism to shine at multiple positions. Her defensive play is where she's made a name for herself, and is likely what will propel her to another level this fall. She's a highly competitive player that can make challenging digs look routine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'], Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["442977"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f328ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCoy is in line to have a big role with the two-time defending D2 state champions this fall. Her explosiveness really stands out in past Showcase events and that should be on full display in her senior year. She can attack with intensity, and come through with some timely digs when her team needs a momentum swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'], Davison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["442994"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f3297d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Naves has been an outstanding defender in this class, but it's not easy to get the spotlight away from the very top of the class. This fall feels like a perfect time for Naves to put her thumbprint on just how great she is. Her quickness and timing are hard to compete with, and her leadership skills grow each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'], Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467951"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f32a22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paddock is another great defensive talent to come from Jenison. Her all-around athleticism has been on display, allowing her to play anywhere on the floor. But, it is her defensive instincts and execution that have made her one of the top prospects in the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454376' first='Blair' last='Russow'], Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["454376"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f32a97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to believe that someone racking up as many digs as Russow can be under the radar, but she certainly seems to be in this Class. However, this fall could be where she gets her due after tallying over 1,200 digs the last two years. Russow just has a nose for the ball and maintains a high level of accuracy and consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523844' first='Irelynn' last='Sedore'], Pennfield</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523844"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f32b3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Out West, Sedore has proven she can be put in any position and find a way to impact the match for her team. She's got a great defensive skillset that also carries over into being a steady and successful outside hitter. She's highly competitive and very athletic, which leads to her leaving everything on the floor to make the big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809359' first='Avery' last='Seif'], Caledonia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523849"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c342f32bce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seif has done a great job of establishing herself as a consistent and reliable libero for a strong Caledonia program that goes up against some of the best hitters in the state. She shows a lot of poise and control in her play and doesn't show any hesitation in her movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->