The Prospect Report: Durango Classic and Early Prep Comments

The Prospect Report: Durango Classic Pt. 1 and Early Prep Season

Notes from the people in the know after the Durango Classic and some early comments from the Prep season. Here is what the pros are saying about the Class of 2027.

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Pulelehua Laikona AZ Storm Libero:

B1G Staffer “Loved that interview with her and you are spot on.  Love her fight and the intangibles of her game maybe more than any Lib in the class. She is on the shortlist.”

Ainsley Shafer TAV Libero

“She was with Laikona skill-wise at NTDP this Summer.  Very impressive.  Again she may be one of those who needs to be seen in more isolated situations because her club team is so good that she doesn’t get put in bad positions very often.  But, she will be in the Top 5 of the class.”

Anela Wailani REV Volleyball Libero

‍Big XII “She is interesting as she is 5’10”, but part of that premier team for them.  She moves great and covers the ground.  You nailed her profile in your “Best of the West”.  She will get quite a bit of attention as next spring goes on we are afraid lol”

Piper Garry OTVA Libero ‍

“Piper is an academic option and evolving Libero that will have options.  Plays in the OTVA system so will play in the big tournaments and get looks.  Great court vision and excellent footwork.  We have an eye.”

Kendall Omoruyi AZ Storm MB  

anonymous “Kendall will have all the eyes on her from now until she commits.  I think it’s her choice on where she goes right now, because of the gap between her and #2 at MB.  Not that someone may pass if they see things they don’t like, but if she decides to go all-in watch out, but yeah this could be the first real recruiting battle in a while as everyone needs a MB and I think there are a few legitimate landing spots now.”

Nyla Livings TAV MB (DNP at Durango)

‍ “She’s your closest at #2 middle on most boards.  So much talent there.  Will get plenty of local/national interest”

Olivia Henry IMG Academy OH

B1G announcer “It will be interesting to see how she is handled at IMG.  If she continues to train at all 6 rotations I think it can be a great move for her as a volleyball player competition-wise.  If she only plays front row we will see.  This is a big developmental year for her.  Her ceiling is incredibly high so interest will be there, but you are talking about #1 in class or #5-#7, etc.”

Lauren Forelli OH REV Volleyball

‍ACC alumni “You saw it for yourself she is so solid, especially in the back row.  She has creativity and is developing shot-making.  She must continue to develop the explosion and just how high is she going to be able to touch ultimately may dictate exactly where her options fall, but she is just so consistently dominant at this level each match.”

Allie Hudgins Texas OH

‍SEC staffer “Hudgins has the chance to be the best player in the state this year.  Maybe a comp would be Sara Hickman from 2026, but shorter.  Again she needs to work on the quick, explosive part of her game, but her length and reach give her advantages. Sometimes it’s about the class that you are in and she fits nicely in a class that just doesn’t have a ton of girls in that 6-4/6-5 mold playing in the highest level.  So that alone works in her favor a little bit.”

We will be back soon with notes on Setters and more names from around the country as we check in with our Pro Evaluation staff and add more and more names to our 2027 list.

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