2021 Prep Preview: Top offenses in Division 4
The 2021 season should be pretty exciting in Division 4. This year’s D4 crop includes a lot of talented hitters and setters with plenty of big-match experience. Here’s a look at five teams that should really excel on offense in…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 season should be pretty exciting in Division 4.
This year’s D4 crop includes a lot of talented hitters and setters with plenty of big-match experience.
Here’s a look at five teams that should really excel on offense in 2021.
Battle Creek St. Philip
The Fighting Tigers returned to the top of Division 4 in the 2020 season and will be among the top contenders again in 2021. Brooke Dzwik Brooke Dzwik 5'10" | OH Battle Creek St. Phil | 2022 State MI is one of the best outside hitters in the state regardless of Division, and is arguably the best player in all of D4. She was a dominant force for St. Philip last season and should be even stronger in her senior year. She returns setter Rachel Myers to connect with on the floor. Myers put up an impressive 51 assists in last year’s D4 final. A big loss for St. Philip will be Harleen Deol in the middle, but that’s the only graduating player from the 2020 squad. Alexis Snyder and Makenzee Grimm are fellow returning outsides to compliment Dzwik.
Traverse City Christian
The Sabres have a luxury that only St. Philip has in 2021, a returning First Team All-State outside hitter. Emma Mirabelli Emma Mirabelli 6'0" | OH TC Christian | 2022 State MI has been one of the best in D4 for years and could hit the 2,000-kill mark for her career this season as a senior. Ava Wendel and Julianna Brower have proven to be great complimentary hitters to Mirabelli and both return to give the Sabres a lot of hitting options.
Plymouth Christian
The Eagles know very well what it takes to make it to the top of Division 4 and this year’s squad will have some talent to work with offensively. Leading the way is Third Team All-State setter Hallie Creighton, who has proven she can efficiently run the PC offense and develop talent. Allison Pilat was Honorable Mention All-State as a freshman middle and should take a big jump forward in her sophomore season. Saige Yakuber was an All-League outside hitter that will be a senior leader in 2021. In a talent-heavy MIAC Conference, Plymouth Christian is sure to bring some pop to the floor.
Mesick
The Bulldogs made a surprising run to the state semifinals for the first time last season and that was thanks to some strong senior talent. However, Mesick will bring back some key experience offensively for the 2021 season. Leading the way will be setters Lexy Abraham and Grace Hawk as seniors to run the offense. Kelsey Quiggin was a dynamic middle as a sophomore and ready to become the focal point of the offense this season. Shannyn Spencer is also an impact middle to play up front and give some added pop on offense.
Fowler
The Eagles were knocking on the door of reaching Battle Creek but came up inches short in 2020. The squad loses their offensive leader in Sarah Veale, but returns a lot of talent that can make up for the loss, by committee. Mia Riley is a standout setter that knows when to be aggressive herself. She has Madison Wirth returning in the middle. Wirth was second on the team in kills in 2020. Wirth had a great 1-2 connection with fellow senior middle Emily Epkey. These three can provide a great foundation while Fowler find their new go-to outside hitters.