A Dozen Oakland County Stars Stepping Up In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects.</em> <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a> <em>now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland County has always been one of the strongest areas for volleyball talent in the state of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2026 season, there's plenty of top prospects having massive years, but there's also players in ever class that have stepped up to boost their team's performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it be coming back from injury, filling in for an injured, player, increasing their role, or stepping up as a freshman, these dozen players have earned some recognition for their efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744594' first='Audrey' last='Collier'], Jr. OH Rochester</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collier has been able to lead the Rochester attack with good technique and consistent swings. She makes the most out of every ball that comes her way and is able to challenge the defense even when out-of-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881403' first='Abigail' last='Dafforn'], Jr. MH South Lyon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions had a big injury impact the middle position coming into 2026, but Dafforn has stepped up to help fill that void. The 6-footer has a lot of power in her swing and an explosive follow through. She's also proving to be a strong blocker for South Lyon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584627' first='Shalamar' last='Guerrant'], Jr. OH Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellowjackets have needed some new primary outsides to step up and Guerrant has been the one to step up most. She's leading the team in kills and digs, while also being a serving force. Guerrant is improving each week and really coming into her own as a six-rotation outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587009' first='Kaitlyn' last='Koceski'], Jr. OH Novi</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koceski is already established as a top-level libero during club season, but she's shown her all-around skills this fall as a six-rotation outside for Novi. Her defense and serve receive is elite, but she's also proving she has the explosiveness and athleticism to consistently put the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1007547' first='Amelia' last='Kurtz'], Fr. S Milford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks have been one of the breakout teams in Division 1 this year and the play of Kurtz at setter has been a big reason why. The freshman has played with a lot of composure and consistency to allow Milford hitters to power through the ball. She's getting the best out of her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'], Sr. OH Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been great to see LeFevre back on the floor for Marian and able to close out her prep career in style. Injuries have kept her off the floor the last two years, but she's making the most of this opportunity with a real title contender. LeFevre shows the same court IQ and athleticism we saw from her as a freshman to be a great offensive and defensive option for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041712' first='Valerie' last='Marx'], Fr. MH Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marlins are ranked No. 1 in D1 and have some big contributions from a pair of freshmen outsides, but Marx has also been a nice freshman addition. The 6'3” middle is hitting over .310 and has been a great change-of-pace option in the Mercy offense. Her blocking also has improved each week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041730' first='Reagan' last='Minto'], Fr. RS Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves have been one of the best in Division 1 this year and Minto has been a nice addition to the offense. She's got good power on the right side and has been able to show steady finishing ability. She's over 110 kills and gaining in confidence with each match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768151' first='Emily' last='Nwabueze'], So. MH/OH Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now Nwabueze is certainly a player that many people are aware of, but when watching her this fall, you can see that she's taken her play up another level. Her swing mechanics and arm speed are among the best you'll see in the state and it's led to her hitting over .350. There's no ceiling for where she can take her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1023736' first='Gabbie' last='Parrish'], So. OH Stoney Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have a lot of fire power on offense, but Parrish has proven she's one of the top hitters in her class this fall. While contributing as a freshman, Parrish definitely looks more polished this fall as a sophomore. She's got over 200 kills and is approaching 200 digs. She's definitely set to be an impact player in years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709804' first='McKenzie' last='Reid'], Jr. DS/L Lake Orion</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reid has been putting up good numbers for the Dragons. She's averaging over 11 digs per match and has also been Lake Orion's biggest threat from the service line. Up against some great hitters, Reid has been able to hold her own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'], Sr. S Orchard Lake St. Mary's</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weber had most of her junior season taken away due to injury, but she's making up for it this year by being one of the biggest bounce-back players in the state. Weber has St. Mary's right in the D1 mix, racking up nearly 500 assists, while still being a threat to turn on the ball herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->