Oakland County has proven to be an area that has produced some of the best volleyball talent in the nation.
In 2026, the area features a number of players already set to go on to play for top Division 1 programs in college, while others have already made their mark on the global scale.
Here’s a look at Oakland County’s top 40 volleyball players coming into the 2026 prep season.
1.Kate Kalczynski, Sr. OH Farmington Hills Mercy: A Penn State commit, Kalczynski has led the Marlins to two state titles already. She’s likely to be a Miss Volleyball finalist, if not the favorite.
2. Marlie Smith, Sr. S Clarkston: A North Carolina commit, Smith is the heart and soul of the Wolves and is looking to get Clarkston back to Battle Creek after reaching the semifinals as a freshman. Also a likely Miss Volleyball finalist
3. Lexi Coleman, So. OH South Lyon East: Coleman has the potential to go down as one of the greatest outside hitters in MHSAA history at the pace she showed as a freshman. She recently won a gold medal for Team USA in the FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship.
4. Sophia Smith, Sr. RS Birmingham Marian: A Boston College commit, Smith has one of the most powerful attacks in the state. She should see her name among the Miss Volleyball finalists in 2026.
5. Payton Woodruff, Jr. S Birmingham Detroit Country Day: A two-time state champion at Country Day, Woodruff is already committed to LSU and has displayed tremendous leadership since she started for the Yellowjackets as a freshman.
Clarkston’s Marlie Smith (6) sets up a teammate for a kill in a D1 regional semifinal against Bloomfield Hills Marian Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 in West Bloomfield. (BRYAN EVERSON – MediaNews Group, file)
6. Kaelyn Easton, So. S Farmington Hills Mercy: Easton ran the Mercy offense in the 2025 state championship run and also joined Coleman as a gold medal winner for Team USA. She’s one of the top sophomore setters in the country.
7. Addison Stepp, Sr. L South Lyon East: Committed to Alabama, Stepp has proven she’s one of the top defenders in the nation over recent years.
8. McKenzie Andrews, Jr. MB Farmington Hills Mercy: A 6’5” middle and Stanford commit, Andrews is a player that every team has to be aware of at all times.
9. Lauren Sheldon, Jr. OH Stoney Creek: A Michigan State commit, Sheldon has helped take Stoney Creek to championship contention.
10 Avery Kapeller, Sr. OH Orchard Lake St. Mary’s: A Georgetown commit, Kapeller creates a lot of energy at the net and is consistent with her power swings.
11. Ashlyn Pelon, Jr. L Birmingham Marian: Committed to the University of Maryland, Pelon has been up against the best as libero at Marian since she was a freshman.
12. Ava Kiernan, Jr. S South Lyon East: At 6’2”, Kiernan brings intangibles to the setter position others can’t. She’s committed to the University of Central Florida.
13. Quinn Nelson, Jr. OH Birmingham Marian: After sitting out her freshman year, Nelson broke out as a sophomore as one of the top outsides in the CHSL.
14. Stella Smith, So. L Clarkston: Smith plays with a lot of maturity, while bringing a high level of competitiveness to every match.
15. Brenna Mirovsky, Sr. OH/DS Oxford: Mirovsky is one of the most energetic players in the area. Her teammates feed off her passion. She’s committed to Oakland University.
15. Allison Stakoe, Jr. OH Bloomfield Hills: A big power arm, Stakoe proved last fall she can step up to lead the Black Hawk offense in 2026.
17. Lexa Pierson, Sr. OH Milford: An Oakland University commit, Pierson is a well-balanced player that can impact a game in all three phases.
18. Josie Seets, Sr. OH Clarkston: A lengthy outside hitter that has improved each year for the Wolves.
19. Kennedy Duncan, Sr. OH South Lyon: A driven leader for the Lions, Duncan is a player that leaves it all on the floor.
20. Nicole McDowell, Sr. OH/MB Notre Dame Prep: Committed to Rider, McDowell can play anywhere along the net and succeed.
Next 20 (In alphabetical order)
Nellie Alves, Sr. S Novi
Emme Dorchy, Jr. OH Royal Oak
London Gibson, Jr. MB Bloomfield Hills Marian
Lyla Gorny, Sr. MB Troy
Leah Green, Sr. MB Detroit Country Day
Kaitlyn Gustafson, Sr. L Stoney Creek
Kaityln Koceski, Jr. L Novi
Maya Kuebler, Sr. OH Clarkston
Isabella Lawhorn, Sr. OH Lake Orion
Calli LeFevre, Sr. OH Marian
Adlin Moore, Sr. MB Holly
Emily Nwabueze, So. MB Bloomfield Hills
Aliyah Potapenko, Sr. MB Detroit Country Day
Brooklyn Rummler, Sr. MB Stoney Creek
Avery Stepp, Sr. S/DS South Lyon East
Kate Sulkowski, Sr. MB South Lyon
Saniya Tucker, So. MH Farmington Hills Mercy
Anneliese Weber, Sr. S Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Brynn Wilcox, Sr. S Bloomfield Hills
Sofie Williams, Sr. OH Auburn Hills Oakland Christian