February’s 2027 Prospect Roulette

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final set of our February Prospect Roulette goes to the 2027 prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's how it works: I'll pop up a random number generator that includes the 20 players in the 2027 rankings. I'll generate four numbers and the four that come up will be the ranking of the player. I'll then spotlight those players in the article to help give them some more attention. I will then take five random numbers from the nearly 70 Watch List prospects. Their number is where they are alphabetically in the Watch List.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's see who has the lucky numbers for this month's edition:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>12. [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'], RS Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith had a solid role with Marian this fall and showed a high ceiling for being a complete player. As a 6'2” hitter, she's long at the net and can generate a lot of power while being able to come down over the top of the ball. Her blocking shows a lot of promise and her defensive play and serving have improved throughout the prep season and into the club year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>14. [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'], S Eisenhower/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tripi didn't get an opportunity to make much of a splash during the prep season due to injury, but the 6'1” setter still has a high ceiling that she showcase when she is at 100 percent. The ball really pops off her hands and she's got the agility to make a lot of difficult sets and get low to the ground. Her size is obviously and advantage as well, allowing her to play a fast style and connect quickly with middles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'], OH Garber/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lenhard has been taking Five:1 15 Black to some solid results this club season. The 6-foot outside is holding her own with every hitter she comes across. She's taking on a big workload, but handling the challenge and shining in the role. She's consistently in double-digit kill totals, even approaching 20 in a recent match. Lenhard has a very smooth delivery and generates create power in the front and back rows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'], OH Mercy/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalczynski had a huge freshman season with Mercy, helping the Marlins win the state title. She's following that up with being one of the most productive hitters in 15U during the club season. Kalczynski is racking up kills and doing it in a variety of ways. She's showcased a lot of speeds and angles, while having great recognition of where the ball needs to be placed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='454364' first='Maiya' last='Heinemann'], OH Saline/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heinemann is a promising outside prospect for L2 152 this club season. She's showing a consistent swing that generates good power while challenging a lot of different areas of the court and pressing hard on the boundaries. She's been able to score from the back row and also still gets solid contact on her out-of-system swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='442984' first='Joelle' last='Mio'], DS/L Marian/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mio is one of many talented 2027 prospects that are in the Marian program. She's a calm and collected defender that has a lot of consistency with her serve receive. Her first contact is getting better and she already brings a really competitive serve to the floor to help impact the game offensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='490378' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'], DS/L GR Christian/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Klunder has looked really sharp in her serve receive thus far and its been a great asset to a promising Rise Academy 51 team. She looks very comfortable in the libero jersey and doesn't get happy feet. She moves with a purpose and looks the ball into her arms and makes a consistent and steady feed to the setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='490371' first='Brooklyn' last='Brassard'], OH Mattawan/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brassard makes a lot of her attacks look effortless. There just is a natural look about her approach to the net and the way she's able to add another gear in her wind up. The ball really pops off her hand and challenges blockers and defenders with each swing. As she gets more attempts, I expect her to really mix up her offense and become a top finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WL [player_tooltip player_id='490375' first='Cara' last='Crittenden'], MH Byron Center/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crittenden is improving on her finishing ability this club season with FaR Out. She's still working on high-pointing the ball, but she's got a quick delivery and connection with her setter that's beating the blockers. As she's able to come down over the top of the ball more, she's going to take a big step forward as a prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->