Way too early 2019 Predictions: Five Division 4 contenders

<p>Division 4 in the state of Michigan has a lot of programs that consistently contend for state championships and battle it out with one-another for the top spot. The 2019 season should be no different, as many of the prominent names seem to be gearing up for another strong year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2QNU1kq">RELATED: Five D1 contenders in 2019</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2rvpkSI">RELATED: Five D2 contenders in 2019</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2Gez8ut">RELATED: Five D3 contenders in 2019</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mendon</strong></p> <p>The Hornets played their way to the Division 4 state championship in 2018 and did so with five seniors on the roster. However, Mendon returns a lot of impact players for 2019, led by standout outside hitter <strong>Anna Smith</strong>, who dominated in Battle Creek as just a sophomore. The Hornets will have to replace two First Team All-State players in libero Amijiha Bailey and setter Aubrey Croster, but Smith’s talents will make them a tough team for anyone to beat.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Leland</strong></p> <p>The Comets are a machine in Division 4 and are able to reload each year. The 2019 season is likely to be no different. Leland will lose three All-State seniors from this year’s team, but have a very stingy defense that will be led by <strong>Mia Osorio</strong>, who will be a junior coming into 2019. Osorio was Second Team All-State in 2018 and runs a very efficient defense for the Comets. <strong>Gillian Grobbel</strong> will return in the middle for her senior season to give Leland a veteran hitter to turn to in the early stages of the new year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Southfield Christian</strong></p> <p>Head coach Mike Van Dyke was quick to admit that his Eagles reaching Battle Creek in 2018 was a year ahead of schedule. That makes Southfield Christian very dangerous for next year. The team had just one senior this year and will be returning all of the key positions. <strong>Emily Van Dyke </strong>was a First Team All-State pick this season and is going to be one of the top outside hitters in Division 4 in 2019. <strong>Caitlin Warnshuis </strong>will join Van Dyke on the outside next fall as a senior. They will be set up by <strong>Rachel Stiteler</strong>, who also will be a senior in 2019.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Battle Creek St. Philip</strong></p> <p>St. Philip hasn’t won a state championship since 2014, which must feel like a lifetime for the traditional power in Class D. The Fighting Tigers lost to eventual champ, Mendon, in the regional final this season and did so with a relatively young roster. <strong>Brooke Dzwik </strong>was one of the top-performing freshman in the entire state in 2018 and she will lead the Tigers at the net in 2019 as an outside hitter. <strong>Maddie Hallacy </strong>will be a senior next fall and give St. Philip another great hitting option for setter <strong>Abby Austin</strong>, who will also be a senior in 2019. The Tigers will definitely be on the prowl again next season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Plymouth Christian</strong></p> <p>After winning state championships in 2016 and 2017, the Eagles were surprisingly defeated in the district tournament by Southfield Christian. That loss should provide good motivation for the 2019 squad. <strong>Gabriella Kellogg </strong>will be one of the senior leaders next fall after putting up a First Team All-State season at outside hitter in 2018. On the defensive side of things, <strong>Madison Raymond </strong>will return at libero for her senior year as well. These two should give the Eagles a strong foundation as they develop a new setter and contributors at the net.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The D4 Dark Horse: Oakland Christian</strong></p> <p>With a roster comprised of entirely freshmen and sophomores, the Lancers took their lumps during the 2018 season with hopes that the next few years would produce great results. They lost in five sets to a solid Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes team in the district final. Head coach Dan Wilson should be able to pick things up where the Lancers left off this year and will be relying on his defense while his young hitters continue to develop. <strong>Hailee Ide </strong>was an All-State honoree for her play at libero and gives the Lancers a great defensive foundation to make them a contender next fall.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Others To Watch: </strong>Merrill, Camden Frontier, Lansing Christian, Waterford Our Lady, Onaway, Carney-Nadeau, Lenawee Christian, Parkway Christian, Sacred Heart</p>