Top offensive teams in Division 1
Everyone loves a big kill on the volleyball court. The sound of a perfectly hit ball that slams down to the court is a symphony. In Division 1, you can find plenty of powerful offenses around the state. There battle…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEveryone loves a big kill on the volleyball court.
The sound of a perfectly hit ball that slams down to the court is a symphony.
In Division 1, you can find plenty of powerful offenses around the state.
There battle to be the top attack this year will be competitive, but here are some teams that could earn that crown in 2020.
Farmington Hills Mercy
The 2019 D1 state champs lost Jess Mruzik Jess Mruzik 6'2" | OH Mercy | 2020 State MI , one of the state’s best players in history, but the Marlins aren’t lacking in firepower for 2020. In the middle, Mercy has Charli Atiemo and Ellie Tisko Ellie Tisko 6'0" | MB Mercy | 2021 State MI , who are as strong as anyone in the state at that position. Kaylin Collins Kaylin Collins 5'11" | OH Mercy | 2021 State MI is a capable outside coming off a knee injury, but will get a chance to shine in 2020. Leah LaFontaine made some strides as a sophomore and will see an increased load this fall as well. Putting it all together is Julia Bishop Julia Bishop 5'10" | S Mercy | 2021 State MI , one of the best setters in the Midwest.
Lowell
The Red Arrows were close to a state title in 2019 behind their hitting power and 2020 should see Lowell be right up there again. Jenna Reitsma Jenna Reitsma 5'11" | OH Lowell | 2021 State MI could be the top outside hitter in the entire state. While losing a pair of strong hitters from the 2019 team, Emily Struckmeyer Emily Struckmeyer 6'1" | MB Lowell | 2022 State MI and Aubreigh Oswald Aubreigh Oswald 6'2" | MB Lowell | 2023 State MI showed a lot of promise as underclassmen last year. A veteran setter in Sophia Powell Sophia Powell 5'9" | S Lowell | 2021 State MI will also keep the offense running like a well-oiled machine.
Lake Orion
The concerns for hitters entering the 2019 season proved to be nothing to worry about for the 2018 D1 state champs. The Dragons developed a well-balanced group of hitters last fall and now return the majority of that group. Senior middles Kendall Robertson Kendall Robertson 6'2" | MB Lake Orion | 2021 State MI and Reagan Goeke Reagan Goeke 6'2" | MB Lake Orion | 2021 State MI provide a dominant block and can finish at a high rate. Sophomore Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI was one of the most productive freshmen in the state last fall and seniors Lauren Staruch Lauren Staruch 6'0" | OH Lake Orion | 2021 State MI and Taylor Butkiewicz are ready to build off a strong finish to 2019. Jaina Macaulay Jaina Macaulay 5'7" | S Lake Orion | 2022 State MI returns at setter and has familiarity with all the hitters.
Marian
Despite being a young team, Marian brings a lot of power to the net in 2020. Ava Brizard Ava Brizard 6'0" | OH Marian | 2022 State #16 Nation MI is our top-ranked player in the Class of 2022 and has ever-improving skills as a six-rotation outside. Tatum Casper Tatum Casper 6'2" | OH Marian | 2022 MI and Sophie Treder are also 2022 standouts that can play all across the net. Reagan Sass Reagan Sass 5'10" | OH Marian | 2023 State MI is a diverse hitter that showed a lot of promise as a freshman. In the middle, Sarah Sylvester Sarah Sylvester 6'3" | MB Marian | 2022 State #126 Nation MI has all the skills to be dominant as a junior in 2020. The offense will be run by Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI , the Class of 2023 setter that showed she was up for high-profile matches last fall.
Utica Eisenhower
The Eagles have a lot of fire power coming into 2020, led by senior outside Sydney Palazzolo Sydney Palazzolo 6'2" | OH Utica Eisenhower | 2021 State MI . She put up great numbers as a junior and will be back to contend as one of the top outsides in the state this fall. Senior Kira Buza Kira Buza 5'11" | MB Utica Eisenhower | 2021 State MI is also a great force in the middle, while Chloe Cole showed some promise in limited swings at the net as a junior. Angelena Tripi will be back for her senior year at setter, making Eisenhower an experienced group on offense.
Stoney Creek
Another powerful attack in the OAA Red is the Cougars. Despite losing kill leader Kate Stration Kate Stration 5'7" | OH Stoney Creek | 2020 State MI , Stoney Creek still has plenty to offer at the net this fall. Sydney Tomlak Sydney Tomlak 5'11" | OH Stoney Creek | 2022 State #116 Nation MI had a great freshman and sophomore campaign for Stoney and is ready to take on a bigger role as a junior. Ainsley Guse Ainsley Guse 6'3" | MB Rochester Stoney Creek | 2021 State MI is one of the top middles in the state and hit nearly .400 as a junior. Ella Markevics Ella Markevics 5'9" | S Rochester Stoney Creek | 2021 State MI returns for her senior year at setter. She knows how to spread the ball out and also knows when to call her own number.
Clarkston
The Wolves have a nice mix of proven commodities and potential stars for the 2020 season. When all is said and done, Clarkston could produce the top offense in the state. Claire Nowicki Claire Nowicki 6'0" | OH Clarkston | 2021 State MI is a balanced outside that has a great mix of shots and speeds. In the middle, Clarkston has a lot of great options. Sydney Hazenfratz is a proven senior that can finish with a powerful swing. Elizabeth Adams came on late in 2019 and is ready for a breakout season in 2020. Alana Watlington Alana Watlington 5'9" | MB Clarkston | 2021 State MI is hoping the injury bug will stay away and she can build on the impressive skills she showed in 2018. Putting it together will be Shay Bordine at setter. Could 2020 be the year Clarkston breaks through to Battle Creek?
Forest Hills Central
The Rangers have gotten lost in the shuffle in a talent-heavy Grand Rapids-area, but FHC is hoping for big things in 2020 behind some lethal hitters. Veteran Tatum Otolski Tatum Otolski 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Central | 2021 State MI is a handful in the middle and will be a big senior leader, as will senior outside Julia Bouma Julia Bouma 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2021 State MI . Junior middle Brooklyn Conner Brooklyn Conner 6'3" | MB Forest Hills Central | 2022 State #178 Nation MI has a lot of size and adds another dimension to this attack. Junior outside Sophia Shields Sophia Shields 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2022 State MI is also hungry to take FHC to another level. The Rangers should be able to keep opponents guessing all match long with their hitting options.