MHSAA 2018 Contenders: Five teams to watch in Division 4

<p>Plymouth Christian has been the team atop Class D volleyball for the last two years, but with the MHSAA making the change to Division 4 in 2018, will it shake up the championship landscape? Here’s a look at five teams we think can challenge for the title this fall.</p> <p><strong>Plymouth Christian: </strong>D.J. Kellogg has guided his team to back-to-back championships and could be primed to do it again in 2018. The Eagles will return four players that received All-State honors in 2017. Leading the way is 2020 outside hitter <strong>Gabrielle Kellogg</strong>, who will be the primary attack for the Eagles, replacing sister Grace Kellogg. Plymouth Christian will also be strong in the middle, returning 2019 hitter <strong>Elisa Miera</strong> and 2020 hitter <strong>Caitlin Warnshuis</strong>. On the back row, 2020 libero <strong>Madison Raymond </strong>will direct play. While the Eagles need to replace their setter, the new starter will have plenty of talent around her.</p> <p><strong>Leland: </strong>The Comets entered the 2017 postseason ranked No. 2 in Class D, but were eliminated in the regional semifinal in five sets by Rogers City. Rogers City is now up to Division 3 and Leland is motivated to get to Battle Creek in 2018. The Comets return four players with All-State honors last fall, led by 2019 setter <strong>Ella Siddall</strong>. Siddall is someone that can spread the ball around well and will have top hitters to work with. Back are 2019 outside hitter <strong>Allie Martin </strong>and 2019 middle hitter <strong>Madison Grosvenor</strong>. Also returning is 2019 libero <strong>Margie Stowe</strong>. Leland will be a senior-led group that should be solid in all areas of the game.</p> <p><strong>Munising: </strong>A semifinal appearance in 2017 was a new standard for the program. In 2018, the Mustangs could go all the way. Munising brings a lot back from that 2017 team, including 2019 outside hitter <strong>Daryn Johnson</strong>, 2019 middle blocker <strong>Michaela Werner</strong> and 2019 setter <strong>Emily Contreras</strong>. Those three alone make the Mustangs a handful at the net. If they can develop their passing and defense, they certainly have the capability of getting back to Battle Creek.</p> <p><strong>Fowler: </strong>The 2017 Class D runner-up will have some questions coming into the season, but the Eagles will have a pair of All-State hitters returning, and that can take a team far. 2019 middle <strong>Brooklyn Witgen</strong> and 2019 outside <strong>Marisa Snyder </strong>will be a handful for most Division 4 opponents. The Eagles play in a competitive CMAC Conference that features a lot of bigger opponents. It prepped them well for the 2017 run and should do the same this fall.</p> <p><strong>North Adams-Jerome: </strong>Rams were among the top-ranked teams in Class D entering the postseason, but fell to Plymouth Christian in the regional final. North Adams-Jerome has a lot of roster turnover in the starting lineup, but the Rams have one of the promising young hitters in all of Division 4. 2021 outside hitter <strong>Abi Nunez </strong>was the lone freshman to make any of the three All-State teams in Class D last fall. It can’t all be on Nunez, but she has the chance to really shine over the next three years. If the Rams find some consistent help around her, they should remain one of the best in Division 4.</p> <p><strong>Other contenders: </strong><em>Oakland Christian, Battle Creek St. Philip, Onaway, Rudyard, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart</em></p>