2018 MHSAA Season Preview: 5 Division 2 Storylines
Coming into the 2018 MHSAA season, the top of the field for Division 2 looks incredibly stacked. Some Class A teams are moving in and joining some real powerhouse squads that made up Class B last season. Here’s the five…
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Continue ReadingComing into the 2018 MHSAA season, the top of the field for Division 2 looks incredibly stacked. Some Class A teams are moving in and joining some real powerhouse squads that made up Class B last season. Here’s the five storylines we are excited about for the fall.
Notre Dame Prep still loaded
In a dream world, we would have gotten a chance to see Novi and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep play each other in Battle Creek last season. The Irish arguably were the best team in the state, rolling through the postseason to claim the 2018 Class B championship. The Irish suffered some graduation loss like any teams, and 2020 hitter Taylor Raiola transferred, but Notre Dame is still stacked. They will be led by what should be a pair of Miss Volleyball finalists in outsides Madeline Chinn (Purdue) and Natalie Risi (Ball State). They also return hitter Morgan Verheyan as well as defensive specialist Maria Famularo. Along with veteran coach Betty Wroubel, the focus of all other Division 2 teams will be on the Irish.
Grand Rapids Christian in the mix
After making a run to the Class A quarterfinals last season, Grand Rapids Christian now shifts to Division 2 for 2018. The Eagles aren’t making the change without plenty of firepower either. Senior Maria Bos will lead the way on the outside and junior setter Jordyn Gates (Arkansas), who is currently fifth on our 2020 state rankings. Grand Rapids Christian also has junior middle Ayva Koostra, along with a pair of sophomore outsides in Lauren Peal and Addie Vanderweide. If the defense can play up to par, the Eagles are certain to be a top contender for the state title.
Don’t’ forget about us!
When you talk about Division 2, Notre Dame Prep and Grand Rapids Christian quickly come to mind, but there’s certainly other contenders you can’t overlook. Lakewood has been the Class B runner-up three of the last four years and also won the 2012 state championship. While losing two big hitters, Lakewood still returns senior libero Patsy Morris and sophomore middle Aubrey O’Gorman. They will be a handful in D2.
Fruitport won the state championships in 2010 and 2011 and reached the semifinals a year ago. The Trojans were junior-heavy in 2017 and will be led by now-seniors, setter Kailey Carmean, hitter Kylie Oberlin and hitter Jordan Carlyle.
Another team to consider is North Branch. The 2014 and 2016 Class B champs have had a great rivalry with Notre Dame Prep in regionals and that will likely be the case again in 2018. The Broncos have one of the top players in the state in senior outside Allyson Severance (Miami-Ohio) while also returning hitters Reese Ruhlman and Alison Brice. Setter Autumn Deshetsky is also back to feed all the arms. North Branch will be itching for its chance to stop the Irish and it could lead them all the way to the title.
Northern contenders
Will the northern part of Michigan factor into the Division 2 race this year? Kingsley is certainly looking to make its mark. The Stags were ousted early in the postseason by eventual Class B quarterfinalist, Cadillac, in 2017. Kingsley is sizing up to do more this year as they return three All-Region players from a year ago. Senior outside hitter Jessica Lefler will be joined by junior outside Brittany Bowman and junior middle Austyn Deweese, giving Kingsley a loaded attack. Cadillac lost a strong senior class after reaching the quarters, but still will be a force in the north behind the play of junior middle Brooke Kochanny.
New faces
It’s been 12 years since Marysville has held a volleyball state championship, but the Vikings have hopes of making a run after another regional appearance in 2017. Marysville lost some experienced players, but will be led by a strong defense behind libero Tyler Bieszczad.
Corunna made a run to the quarterfinals in 2017 before running into the Notre Dame Prep buzzsaw. The Cavaliers could be better prepared in 2018 as they return senior setter Lexi Mort as well as junior middle Elizabeth Norris.
Grant reached the Class B regional final last year before falling to Fruitport, but the Tigers should be even stronger this year. They bring back a great 1-2 punch at the net in senior outside Olivia Keeland and senior middle Kylie Patton.
Edwardsburg was another regional finalist that dropped a five-set battle with Niles in 2017. The Eddies bring back a talented setter in senior Claire Alby as well as a strong outside in senior Skyler Leach.
Related: 2018’s top conference battles
Related: 2018’s Division 1 storylines