2018 MHSAA Season Preview: 5 Division 4 Storylines

<p>In Class D, Battle Creek St. Philip held onto the top spot for years upon years. Now, Plymouth Christian is seeking to create a dynasty of its own as the MHSAA transitions to Division 4 for the 2018 season. Here’s a look at the top storylines heading into the year for Division 4.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Can Plymouth Christian win third straight?</em></strong></p> <p>The Plymouth Christian volleyball team has won the last two titles under coach <strong>D.J. Kellogg </strong>and now seek to win a third and establish themselves as the next great dynasty in Class D/Division 4. The Eagles bring back plenty from the 2017 championship squad, including four All-State honorees. Leading the way will be junior outside <strong>Gabriella Kellogg</strong>, who steps into the spotlight with Grace Kellogg graduating. Junior libero <strong>Madison Raymond</strong> is also back alongside junior middle <strong>Caitlin Warnshuis </strong>and senior middle <strong>Elisa Miera</strong>. While the Eagles will need to find a new setter, it should be an easy role to step into given the talent that will be surrounding them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Will Battle Creek St. Philip be a factor?</em></strong></p> <p>St. Philip hasn’t won a state championship since 2014, but the Fighting Tigers still have won 19 state titles in program history and are the most storied team in Division 4. St. Philip lost in four sets to Plymouth Christian in the 2017 quarterfinal and the team returns junior setter <strong>Abby Austin</strong> along with senior middle <strong>Maya Segovia</strong>. Both were All-State honorees last year and will be hungry to claim their first state championship. Alongside coach <strong>Vicky Groat</strong>, don’t look past the Fighting Tigers this year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Leland looks loaded</em></strong></p> <p>Leland went to five sets with Rogers City in last year’s regional semifinal and Rogers City went on to play Plymouth Christian to four sets in the Class D semifinal. This year, Rogers City is up to Division 3 and Leland is eager for a chance to get back to Battle Creek. The Comets have an experienced group of four All-State seniors leading the team in 2018. <strong>Ella Siddall </strong>returns at setter and will be the play caller on the floor. She is surrounded by talented outside <strong>Allie Martin</strong> and middle <strong>Madison Grosvenor</strong>. Defensively, Leland has libero <strong>Margie Stowe </strong>back as well to give the team a well-rounded appeal. If the Comets can develop a few secondary hitting options, it’s hard to see them not playing a role in the title picture.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Central contenders?</em></strong></p> <p>Both Fowler and Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart made deep runs into the 2017 playoffs and gave the Central Michigan area something to talk about in volleyball season. Fowler ended up as the 2017 Class D runner-up while Sacred Heart lost in five sets to Rogers City in the quarterfinals. Fowler will return two All-State players in senior middle <strong>Brooklyn Witgen</strong> as well as senior outside <strong>Marisa Snyder</strong>. Their competitive CMAC conference should have them ready come November. The Irish lose a lot from last year’s squad, but do return 6-2 senior middle <strong>Michele Hubbard</strong>. Sacred Heart has reached the quarterfinals the last five years and ready to take that next step to Battle Creek.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>New faces</em></strong></p> <p>Munising isn’t a new face in terms of recent success, as it was a semifinalist in 2017. But the Mustangs have yet to claim the state title and this year’s team may be best suited to make a charge yet. Led by All-State senior outside <strong>Daryn Johnson</strong> as well as senior All-Region setter <strong>Emily Contreras </strong>and senior All-Region middle <strong>Michaela Werner</strong>, Munising has a lot of veteran experience to utilize and last year’s semifinal run should help this team take their play up a notch in 2018.</p> <p>Pellston reached the regional final in 2017 and should be excited for what it can do in 2018. The Hornets have a strong young setter in junior <strong>Kaitlyn Bricker</strong> and she will be paired up with senior outside <strong>Kristy Robinson</strong>. If Pellston can lock up its defense and find some compliments to Robinson, it could make a deeper run this year.</p> <p>Decatur is one of the teams going from Class C to Division 4 and the move should definitely help. It was outmatched by Schoolcraft in the Class C districts last year and Schoolcraft went five sets with Bronson in the regional. The Raiders have a pair of outside hitters that should make them a force in senior <strong>Rebekah Ashley</strong> and junior <strong>Danielle Confer</strong>.</p> <p>Mendon is in a similar boat as it moves from Class C to Division four. The Hornets lost in the district final to Bronson and bring back three All-Region players from a year ago. Sophomore <strong>Anna Smith </strong>is on the outside with junior <strong>Hannah Duchene </strong>playing middle and senior <strong>Amaijha Bailey </strong>at libero. These three should give Mendon a great chance in the postseason.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Related: <a href="http://bit.ly/2NrpdQS">2018’s top conference battles</a></p> <p>Related: <a href="http://bit.ly/2uZF3Ld">2018’s Division 1 storylines</a></p> <p>Related: <a href="http://bit.ly/2A6Docx">2018’s Division 2 storylines</a></p> <p>Related: <a href="http://bit.ly/2LtNCJc">2018’s Division 3 storylines</a></p>