MHSAA 2018 Contenders: Five teams to watch in Division 1

[caption id="attachment_13709" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Marian-vs-Mercy-57.jpg"></a> Jess Mruzik - Farmington Hills Mercy[/caption] <p>The MHSAA is moving from Class qualifications to Division in the 2018 fall season. While it doesn’t change many teams from Class A to Division 1, the race to the state title in the state’s top division should be exciting. Novi’s three-year run as champs will be tough to continue with the loss of so much talent, including 2017 Miss Volleyball Erin O’Leary. Here’s five teams we think can make a run at becoming the new champion.</p> <p><strong>Farmington Hills Mercy: </strong>After a run to the Class A semifinals in 2017 behind a rather young team, the Marlins could be the team to beat in 2018 for Division 1. Mercy loses outside hitter Lauren Hunter to graduation, but the team will be led by 2020 hitter <strong>Jess Mruzik</strong> (Michigan). Mruzik was a First Team All-State selection as a sophomore and is partnered with 2021 setter <strong>Julia Bishop</strong>, as well as a handful of talented hitters and defenders. Behind the coaching of Loretta Vogel, the Marlins have a lot of promise for the fall season.</p> <p><strong>Lake Orion: </strong>The Dragons have been near the top of the Class A rankings for years, but haven’t been able to break through in the postseason. The 2018 season could be the year for Lake Orion, as it will have two strong senior leaders in outside hitter <strong>Paige Briggs</strong> (Western Kentucky) and setter <strong>Wren McCauley</strong>. Both sit in the top 15 of our 2019 rankings. Briggs dealt with an injury late last season, but she is one of the best hitters in Michigan when healthy. The Dragons also have 2019 hitter <strong>Olivia Long</strong> and 2019 libero <strong>Ciara Livingway</strong> to really round out the lineup.</p> <p><strong>Rockford: </strong>The Rams finished runner-up in 2016, losing in four sets to Novi. After being beaten in five sets in the 2017 regional final vs. Grand Rapids Christian, look for Rockford to make a push for Battle Creek again in 2018. The Rams have a pair of big losses in setter Hailey Delacher and outside hitter Sara Majerle, but return one of the top hitters in the state in 2019’s <strong>Lindsay Taylor</strong> (Miami-Ohio). They also have 2019 middle blocker <strong>Emmy Webb </strong>and setter <strong>Emilee Karelse</strong>. The veteran leadership should help guide Rockford come the postseason.</p> <p><strong>Northville: </strong>After spending years playing second-fiddle to Novi in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, the Mustangs are primed to make a run at the Wildcats and the rest of the state in 2018. Northville returns two players with All-State honors from last season in 2019 libero <strong>Hannah Grant </strong>(Michigan State) and 2020 middle hitter <strong>Claire McNamara</strong>. The Mustangs also have 2019 libero <strong>Allyson Zayan</strong>, giving them a lot of passing options to set up their developing hitters.</p> <p><strong>Bloomfield Hills: </strong>The Black Hawks are a team to look out for next season. Already with one of the top 2020 players in the country in setter <strong>Alexa Rousseau</strong>, Bloomfield Hills is adding in 2020 outside hitter <strong>Taylor Raiola</strong> after she spent her first two seasons with Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. These two will make a difficult duo to stop. If the Black Hawks can find some consistency in the back row, they can be a top contender in Division 1.</p> <p><strong>Other contenders: </strong><em>Novi, Mattawan, Grand Haven, Clarkston, DeWitt, Marian<br /> </em></p>