2027 ACC Breakthrough Classes

As the field of uncommitted 2027s shrinks more and more, it’s only natural to assume that the top programs are picking up the pinnacle of the batch. But while the collegiate bluebloods have been established, what makes the sport of volleyball is the parity night in and night out, and watching as unknown programs are cultivated into firecrackers – SMU, Louisville, etc. Watching these rags to riches stories made me wonder about what would be the next program to thrust itself into the spotlight, and whether they could reinvent themself purely through young, gifted recruits bursting with potential. With the overwhelming abundance of talent in this class, there is plenty of wealth and talent to go around, and these smaller programs are now picking up athletes that could very well propel them into the forefront of the conversation. Here are my top breakthrough classes of 2027 in the ACC that I believe could change the very course of the whole conference. 

North Carolina: Marlie Smith (PPV 260) – a 5-10 setter and outside hitter out of Clarkston, Michigan – is the type of player to make everyone around her better. She is a setter on her Legacy 16-1 Adidas team; able effortlessly sling the ball from pin to pin, she is particularly good at going against the flow and getting her hitters one-on-one opportunities. The ideal location of her sets maximizes their ability to score, and she's not afraid to throw in an attack of her own from time to time. An AAU All-American and 15 Open National Champion, Marlie was named MVP of the entire tournament. She plays outside hitter for her high school (something typical of top recruits in different positions) proving herself to be just as valuable as an attacker and defender. In her two seasons at Clarkston High School, she has tallied 422 kills on a .312 clip, adding 490 digs and 168 aces. May Durril (PPV 191) is a 6-3 middle blocker out of St. Louis, has made a name for herself after breaking several records at her high school. Simultaneously holding the single-season kills record (420), single-season hitting percentage, as well as being the fastest player in program history to reach 600 kills. Her success extended beyond that, named First-Team All-State and District MVP. Needless to say, Durrill is an incredibly terminal attacker, and has the potential to be an instant game-changer for Mike Schall’s Heels.

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Clemson: Yet another small program picking up some top talent, the Tiger’s have picked up a trio of dynamic athletes that have a very bright future. The first addition, Bryn Meyer (PPV 210) is a 6-2 outside hitter out of Ohio. As a freshman at Seneca East High School, she earned a starting role on the State Runner-Up team – contributing 124 kills and 42 blocks. Named 2021 Defensive POTY and 2022 Offensive POTY, Meyer has proved herself valuable on either end of the court. A go-to hitter on her Legacy 16-1 Adidas squad, Bryn’s quick swing and strong court vision makes her a lethal attacker. Kylee Evans (PPV 202), a 6-0 middle out of Georgia, is the second addition to the class. As a sophomore at Union Grove High School, she racked up 202 kills on a hyper-efficient .458 clip, as well as 66 blocks and 57 aces. A member of A5 Volleyball, her high-flying vertical and ability to make herself available made her a constant offensive threat. On the defensive end, she is just as impressive – quick moving laterally from pin to pin, fully pressing over the net. Evan’s raw athleticism has the potential to be molded into All-American level, and her ceiling is practically limitless. Kaelyn Bjorklund (PPV 190), a setter and top ranked recruit out of Minnesota, closes out the class. As a sophomore at 4A State-Champions, Lakeville South, she averaged 7.4 assists per set – adding 230 digs, 173 kills, and 79 aces. If those statistics are indicative of anything, it’s Bjorklund’s impressive all-around game and an innate ability to better her teammates as well. Her taste of victory didn’t begin with a state title – winning the AAU Open National Championship with her 14s team years before – and it certainly won't be her last. This trio of athletes are very good pickups from Jackie Simpson Kirr. 

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Cal: While the Golden Bears only picked up one athlete so far in this class, she alone is enough to make an impact on the program. Breya Dawson (PPV 214) is a 6-2 opposite out of Memphis, Tennessee. In just two seasons with Briarcrest Christian High School, she racked up a staggering 601 kills (402 in sophomore season alone), on a .367 clip – highly efficient for a pin attacker. Leading her team in kills and attempts, it’s clear that Dawson is a go-to and trusted attacker for the team, someone they can depend on to better the ball. Breya also added 287 career digs, 68 blocks, and 66 aces. Her efforts led her team to both a State Championship and Dawson being named MVP, another impressive accolade to add to her resume of AVCA Phenom and UA Next All-American.  For a California team in need of a lethal pin attacker to throw away the trash, Breya is just that. 

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Duke: Ella Horvick (PPV 205) – a libero out of Florida – attended an extensive college camp resume before finding home at Duke. An Under Armor Next Invitee and 2023 7A Florida State Champion, Horvick reads the ball like no other. She is always on her toes; ready to scoop up a tip or absorb a heavy cross-court attack. Ella does her job very well and is a strong defensive asset for any program – a very good pickup for Jolene Nagel. Hailey Mueller (PPV 202) – a 6-0 outside hitter out of North Carolina – is staying home to play for the Blue Devils. Named an AVCA Phenom and AAU All Tournament Team, Mueller is constantly adding to her extensive list of accolades. With a strong approach, quick arm swing, and high-flying vertical, her athleticism more than overcompensates for her vertical disadvantage. She sees the block and court so well, able to find an open part of the net and hammer it before the defenders can even react. Mueller can find kills on both an ideal set or an out of system assist across the court – and her lethality and athleticism is highly impressive for someone her age. In the next two years before she steps on campus, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mueller propelled herself to the top of the rankings, establishing herself as a headline player in the class. 

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Virginia: Kyla Mitchell (PPV 215), a 6-3 middle blocker out of Illinois, is a headline attacker for the class. With an approach touch of 121in, Mitchell is a member of the 10ft club, and uses every last inch when she goes up to the net. She puts up a huge block in the front row – and while her height certainly helps – it is her precise technique and quick lateral movements that allow her to seal the net and snuff out the opponents. Coco Lewis (PPV 202), is ranked as the no. 1 outside hitter in Virginia, and has pledged to stay home. She has a calming disposition on the court, but her game is anything but. At 6-1, she leans into her physicality and power, but knows when to switch it up and throw in some off-speed. She is a go-to attacker on her club and high school team, trusted to terminate. A 5-7 libero out of California, Sarah MacDonald (PPV 190) is both a stable and scrappy libero. She has mastered all the little nuances that make a defender great – able to read serves well and set her team up for success, scoop up swings well outside her body, and put up a very consistent, hittable out of system set. The class wraps up with Camryn Coulther (PPV 138) – yet another strong defensive specialist. Camryn won’t hesitate to lay out or put her body on the line for the ball, and more often than not, she is able to save attacks that would otherwise be a kill. Her defensive relentlessness is something that will pay dividends for her personal career and future collegiate home.