Way too early 2019 Predictions: Five Division 2 contenders

<p>The 2018 season was all about Grand Rapids Christian when it came to Division 2. The Eagles put on an impressive postseason run to claim the state championship. Looking ahead to next season, will the Eagles be capable of winning again, or will there be another team able to unseat GRC?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2QNU1kq">RELATED: Five D1 contenders in 2019</a></strong></p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2Gez8ut"><strong>RELATED: Five D3 contenders in 2019</strong></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Grand Rapids Christian</strong></p> <p>The Eagles dominated the 2018 postseason in impressive fashion and managed to do it with just three seniors. While those three seniors will be challenging to replace, Grand Rapids Christian will still return a lot of big-time talent. Leading the way will be 2020 setter <strong>Jordyn Gates</strong>, who is likely to be a Miss Volleyball finalist for her ability to run the GRC offense and contribute in all aspects of the game. She will have a wealth of returning hitters, led by 2021 outside <strong>Addie VanderWeide</strong>. She led the team in kills as a sophomore and was a First Team All-State selection this year, along with Gates. 2022 middle <strong>Evie Doezema </strong>will also be back after a strong freshman campaign while 2020 middle <strong>Ayva Kooistra</strong> will be a veteran leader as well. Libero <strong>Lauren Peal</strong> will also back after an impressive sophomore season. There doesn’t appear to be much of a weakness for GRC after a nearly flawless 2018 run.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Lakewood</strong></p> <p>The Vikings were able to get to Battle Creek last year despite a relatively young roster on offense. Lakewood will have to outstanding hitters coming back in sisters <strong>Aubrey O’Gorman </strong>and <strong>Maradith O’Gorman</strong>. Both were First Team All-State selections this past season. Maradith was a freshman right side while Aubrey was a sophomore middle. Both stand over 6 feet and pose a threat on the attack and at the block. Setter <strong>Sophie Duits </strong>is also set to return for her junior year, keeping the offense nice and smooth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Hamilton</strong></p> <p>The Hawkeyes reached the D2 quarterfinals in 2018 before falling to the eventual state champs, GRC. Hamilton will lose five seniors from this squad, but still return a majority of their production in 2019. Leading the way will be outside hitters <strong>Allison Ediger </strong>and <strong>Corbyn Wayner</strong>, two All-State Honorable Mention selections. Wayner will be a senior while Ediger will be a junior. Setter <strong>Shelby Kragt</strong> will also be returning for her senior season for the Hawkeyes. If Hamilton can make some replacements in its back row, they should be a top threat to Grand Rapids Christian next fall.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Marshall</strong></p> <p>The Redhawks reached the region final before losing to Lakewood in three sets, but they showed they had potential in a 36-34 loss in the second set. Marshall had four players receive All-State honors in 2018 and three will be returning. Leading the way will be setter <strong>Makenzie Bonnell</strong>, who will be a senior leader for the offense in 2019. She will have outside <strong>Abby Welke</strong> and middle <strong>Olivia Webber</strong> to feed the ball to. Both were sophomores in 2018. Losing a total of just three seniors, the Redhawks should be primed to be a top contender in the D2 race next fall.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Coopersville</strong></p> <p>The Broncos were one of many victims to the Grand Rapids Christian buzz saw in the 2018 playoffs, but a regional loss to GRC should be good motivation this offseason. The Broncos will return a strong front at net next year as well, with <strong>Katelyn Fritz</strong> on the outside and <strong>Abby Olin </strong>in the middle. Olin will be a junior in 2019 while Fritz will be returning for her senior season. Setter <strong>Aubrey Bates </strong>will be returning for her senior year as well to feed both and keep the offense moving. Both Bates and Olin were All-State honorees in 2018.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The D2 Dark Horse: Ida</strong></p> <p>The Bluestreaks made a nice run to the regional final in 2018, but were soundly beaten by Wixom St. Catherine. Ida wasn’t quite at full strength by that time to really see what it could do, but next fall the Bluestreaks lose just three from their roster. Led by All-State honorees <strong>Kadie Carsten</strong> on the outside and <strong>Taylor Wegener </strong>in the middle, Ida will be a senior-heavy team in 2019 that will have some good postseason experience from their run in 2018. The Bluestreaks could find themselves streaking to Battle Creek.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Others To Watch: </strong>Notre Dame Prep, Corunna, Cadillac, Kingsley, Detroit Country Day, Sault Ste. Marie</p>