The 2027’s Shaping Grand Rapids, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Prep Dig Michigan will be hosting two Showcase events on Sunday, Aug. 3. You can now register for the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1540/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> or the </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1521/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em>. Use code “EllisDig2025” to get $10 off your registration.*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking for top volleyball talent in the state of Michigan, the Grand Rapids area is one of the best places to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't have to look much further for proof than the Class of 2027. This group is dominated with by the area, with many of the top players coming from GR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the second part of a two-part look at some of the top 2027 players from the Grand Rapids area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], OH FH Northern/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1” outside is going to be a real force in the area. She's got a great approach to the net and consistently shows a high contact point on her attacks. She can play over blockers, or through them, and her swing never seems to tire despite a large workload. Loehfelm is also adding to her defensive foundation, becoming a more complete player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'], DS/OH Jenison/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paddock is a longer defender, but she's got as much athleticism and agility as anyone in the state. Paddock can still stay really low to the ground, and uses her extra length to cover more space. She times out her sprawls well to make clean passes to her setter. Paddock has also shown a great swing and can be utilized as a hitter. Her serve is also at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds'], OH Caledonia/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reynolds brings a little bit of everything to the court in order to be a factor in all phases of the game. She's got the footwork and quickness to take on a serve, then transition into a highlight-reel kill. Her technique is smooth in each aspect of play, allowing her to make impressive digs, kills, and aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490374' first='Elizabeth' last='Risdon'], DS/OH Zeeland East/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A standout outside during the prep season that plays libero during club season, that speaks to the overall talents of Risdon. She's got the skillset and athleticism to play anywhere on the floor and excel. Risdon can make every shot as an outside, but then shows incredible quickness to come through with difficult digs. She gives any team she is on a lot of roster flexibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523849' first='Avery' last='Seif'], DS/L Caledonia/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seif had a big sophomore season with Caledonia, and consistently got to face the best hitters around the state. That sharpened her play overall, which was already strong to begin with. Seif maintains a high level of composure in the back row. She doesn't waste much movement and stays laser-focused on the play as its unfolding to anticipate where the ball will be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490370' first='Mackenzee' last='Stanley-Eldred'], DS/L East Grand Rapids/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a talented duo of defenders for EGR, Mackenzee shows a lot of promise in her defensive play. She's agile and light on her feet, able to quickly spring into form to get a clean pass off to the setter. She's also got a promising serve that is able to give her opponents something to think about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490369' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred'], DS/L East Grand Rapids/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, Rylee was one of the dig leaders in the state with over 500 for EGR. She navigates chaotic situations very well, dodging her teammates to get to almost every ball that comes to her side. EGR hasn't avoided playing top teams, so Stanley-Eldred has been battle-tested and proven she can wear the libero jersey with the best of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454375' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz'], OH Hudsonville/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swiercz showed good growth in her sophomore season with Hudsonville and could be in store for a breakout junior season. The near-6-footer plays with a lot of length at the net, and has been able to add more power and consistency to her swing. Already a strong defender, as Swiercz keeps finding new ways to score, it should make her a more impactful outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'], OH Rockford/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wandel is a potent outside that has quickly raised her game to be able to go toe-to-toe with the best hitters in Michigan. She's proven she can take on a big workload and finish at a high rate. Her physical style works very well on the pins, as she generates a lot of power with her 6'1” length and explosive jumping ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->