​Update, July 10: Congratulations to Addison Stepp of South Lyon East for being named the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Girls Volleyball Preseason Athlete of the Year. It’s time to cast your vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Girls Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year. This week’s poll features nine players from southeast Michigan who are expected to have standout seasons in 2026-27. Voting closes at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. The nominees, listed in alphabetical order by last name, include:
– Kate Kalczynski from Farmington Hills Mercy, an outside hitter who helped Mercy reach the Division 1 state championship. Kalczynski is ranked No. 3 in Michigan by PrepDig.com and has committed to Penn State. Last season she played 125 sets over 49 matches, averaging 10.8 kills, 6.1 digs, 1.2 aces, and one assist, and she is a three-time AAU All American.
– McDowell from Notre Dame Prep, a three-year starter who earned second-team all-state honors last year. She recorded 375 kills, 144 digs, and 102 blocks, along with a 94% serve rating.
– Pelon from Marian, the No. 2-ranked player in the state for the class of 2028 according to PrepDig. Pelon aims to lead Marian to another state title following a strong 2025-26 campaign, which included 340 digs, 94 assists, and 64 aces.
– Ockerman from Brighton, who helped the team reach the regional semifinals last season with a 3-2 loss to South Lyon. As a middle hitter, she produced 258 kills, 53 blocks, 51 digs, and 49 aces, and she posted an 89% serve rating.
– Sheldon from Stoney Creek, who guided the Cougars to a 27-10 record and a district semifinal appearance. She compiled 495 kills, 29 assists, and 26 blocks, earning second-team all-state honors. PrepDig lists the North Carolina commit as the No. 2 player in the state for 2027, with 235 digs, 785 assists, 121 kills, 76 aces, and 20 blocks.
– Smith, an Oakland Athletic Association all-conference pick who also earned all-region honors and made second-team all-state for the third consecutive season.
– Stepp from South Lyon East, who helped the Cougars reach the district finals but fell to South Lyon in a 3-2 match. The Alabama commit finished last season with 1,001 digs and 105 aces, along with third-team all-state, all-region, and Lake Valley Conference all-conference honors.
– Wilcox from Bloomfield Hills, a rising senior who will look to rebound after Bloomfield Hills fell just short in the Division 1 state finals against Mercy. Wilcox posted 1,340 assists, 119 digs, 53 aces, and a 92.4% serve rating.
– Payton Woodruff from Detroit Country Day is also highlighted in this feature as part of the ongoing coverage and optimization for search.
Please note: This update reflects the preseason voting and player profiles for the 2026-27 season.