Who’s leading the top teams in Division 2?
Division 2 is looking as strong as ever in 2021, with a number of teams proving they are among the best in the state in any division. Here’s a look at the latest top 10 teams and which players have…
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Continue ReadingDivision 2 is looking as strong as ever in 2021, with a number of teams proving they are among the best in the state in any division.
Here’s a look at the latest top 10 teams and which players have been guiding them to their early-season success.
1. Notre Dame Prep – L/DS Josie Bloom Josie Bloom 5'6" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #150 Nation MI : The Irish are quite a balanced team all around, but Bloom has really been the glue keeping it all together. Her play allows the many offensive weapons to be impactful. In NDP’s win over Marian, Bloom played as well as I have seen a libero perform. She’s a Miss Volleyball finalist alongside teammate Alyssa Borellis Alyssa Borellis 5'11" | S Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #33 Nation MI , who is also a standout player.
2. Grand Rapids Christian – OH Evelyn Doezema Evelyn Doezema 6'2" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State #34 Nation MI : Doezema is in the spotlight this year for GRC and is rising to the occasion. She has over 200 kills already while hitting .386. She’s also really shown improvements in her defensive play and serving.
3. Lakewood – OH Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI : O’Gorman is the focus of every opposing team, yet she still manages to be highly productive. Her size and athleticism are impossible to stop. This year she has dialed up her leadership skills and defensive play.
4. Grand Rapids Catholic Central – OH Grace Braselton: The senior outside hitter is long and quite athletic. She moves very well across the floor and hasn’t been afraid to go toe-to-toe with the other top hitters in the Grand Rapids area.
5. Detroit Country Day – MH Serena Nyambio: Nyambio is as explosive as it gets and that makes her a handful with her attacks and blocking. Nyambio has put a lot of focus into her serving and passing and that makes her a complete player. She’s got DCD looking to make a push toward the D2 title.
6. North Branch – MH Kaela Chingwa: North Branch is another really balanced team, but the 6’2” sophomore middle has been quite impressive this fall. She’s among the team leaders in kills while hitting .368. However, it’s her team-leading blocking that has really made North Branch so tough. Chingwa is able to get her hands on a lot of attacks, which has kept this talented offense rolling.
7. Lansing Catholic – S Hailey Bres: Bres is a veteran setter that is a great leader on the court. She spreads the ball out well, and has Lansing Catholic hitting at a high percentage. Bres’ athleticism allows her to make some really tough sets look easy.
8. Niles – MH Marika Ruppart: It’s hard to really separate Ruppart and junior middle Jillian Bruckner, as the two have been a dominant 1-2 pair for Niles. They have combined for over 300 kills and approaching 100 blocks between them. Both are also hitting over .325 on the season. Ruppart brings the senior leadership and is currently the team’s leader in both categories with 157 kills and 51 blocks.
9. Whitehall – OH Rayne Thompson Rayne Thompson 6'0" | OH Whitehall | 2022 State MI : Injury kept Thompson from being able to play last season and she’s making up for lost time with a dominant senior year. Thompson is among the team leaders in most stats for Whitehall. She’s got over 150 kills while hitting .381. She also has 22 aces and 116 digs. Thompson is showing a complete game and has no signs of slowing down.
10. Cadillac – S Renee Brines Renee Brines 5'9" | S Cadillac | 2022 State MI : Brines is an aggressive a setter as you will find. She currently leads Cadillac in kills (131) and assists (241), while throwing in 37 aces and 121 digs. Brines is an unquestioned floor general and has the court IQ to know when she needs to finish a point herself, or get another hitter rolling.