Five teams that could shake up Division 1 in 2021
In this article:
As one school year comes to an end, another is just right around the corner. First practices for the 2021 prep season are exactly two months from today. Hard to believe. With each new season comes new potential champions around…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs one school year comes to an end, another is just right around the corner.
First practices for the 2021 prep season are exactly two months from today.
Hard to believe.
With each new season comes new potential champions around the state.
For Division 1, there are a number of teams that failed to win a regional championship in 2020 that have the potential to get to Battle Creek when all will be said and done.
Here’s five teams that will look to shakeup the postseason picture in the new season.
Rockford
The Rams are hardly a dark horse in Division 1. Rockford graduated just one player from a team that reached the regional finals in 2020. While taking a back seat to some other top programs in the Grand Rapids area, Rockford seems primed to push for a return to Kellogg Arena in 2021. The Rams return three All-State honorees from last season in libero Alina Anderson Alina Anderson 5'5" | DS/L Rockford | 2022 State MI , setter Mackenzie Delacher Mackenzie Delacher 5'10" | S Rockford | 2022 State MI and middle Ava Horton. Meredith Simmons Meredith Simmons 5'10" | OH Rockford | 2023 State MI , Ava M Young Ava M Young 6'0" | MB Rockford | 2022 State MI , Avery Toole Avery Toole 5'11" | OH Rockford | 2022 State MI and Lizzie Macintosh Lizzie Macintosh 6'1" | OH Rockford | 2023 State MI all were steady contributors as well, giving Rockford as much hitting depth as anyone in the state. With experience returners at libero and setter as well, Rockford is sure to be a tough out in 2021.
Hudsonville
The Eagles suffered a tough exit in the district semifinals, losing in five sets to Grandville to end its 2020 season. Hudsonville’s 2021 roster looks awfully strong as it looks to make a splash in D1. The Eagles will have a great defense, led by All-State libero Carlina Bender Carlina Bender 5'5" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2022 State MI and outside hitter Eva Joldersma. At the net, Hudsonville returns four players with over 150 kills in 2020. Their balanced attack includes Joldersma and Emmalee Murphy Emmalee Murphy 6'0" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI on the outside, along with Leah Rogers Leah Rogers 6'2" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI and Olivia Howlett Olivia Howlett 5'10" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI in the middle. Hudsonville will have to work out a new starting setter, but she will have a lot of great hitters and great passers to work with.
Marquette
The Redettes don’t get the luxury of competing against many Division 1 opponents in-state, so it’s always a little difficult to size them up come playoff time. However, the 2021 version is going to bring a lot of hitting to the net and make it very challenging for opponents. Leading the way is standout outside and 2020 All-State Seiler Hruska Seiler Hruska 6'1" | OH Marquette | 2022 State MI . She’s a total package at the position and is capable of putting the team on her back. However, she won’t have to as she will have returning All-Region middles in Maria Milado and Roxy Nelson. The front row of Marquette is going to pose a lot of problems offensive and defensively for opponents in 2021.
Portage Northern
The Huskies were forced to take a back seat to rival Portage Central in 2020, but they are hoping to reverse the roles in 2021. While graduating three from the roster, Northern will be bringing back a lot of top-level talent to the court this fall. Leading the way is standout libero Lyse Bates Lyse Bates 5'4" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2022 State MI , an All-State honoree in 2020. The Huskies also return setter Alia Mastromatteo Alia Mastromatteo 5'9" | S Portage Northern | 2022 State MI , along with six-rotation outside Bela Griwatsch. Fellow outside Anna Griffioen made some nice strides as a sophomore and is in line for a bigger role this fall. If their middles can raise their game, Northern shouldn’t have a weakness on the floor.
Okemos
The Chieftains nearly didn’t have a season in 2020, but their limited schedule still showed a lot of promise for 2021 and 2022. The relatively young team will bring back three All-Region talents this fall, two of which are juniors in outside Taylor Stephens Taylor Stephens 5'11" | OH Okemos | 2023 State MI and middle Kayla Ozanich Kayla Ozanich 6'1" | MB Okemos | 2023 State MI . Senior outside Bethany Hartman is also back to give Okemos its three top hitters from 2020 back on the floor. Ozanich alone hit over .320 for the season. Libero Ella Woodward also returns to give Okemos major foundation pieces to build on this fall and possibly make a deep run in the postseason.