Division 4 game-changers for 2020

The Division 4 title picture always features some tradition powers and currently has a two-time defending state champion heading into 2020. While some of the big names from 2019 return for this fall, it will be some of the lesser-known names that really determine who comes away with the hardware this year. Here’s a look at some Division 4 game-changers in 2020. Andrea Hoffman – Sr. MH Mendon The two-time defending Division 4 champs are going to be a top contender again in 2020 behind [player_tooltip player_id="50300" first="Anna" last="Smith"] on the outside. Smith has been as dominant a player in D4 as anyone in any other division. The Hornet graduated a lot of key contributors from the 2019 championship team, including important hitters to compliment Smith. That puts a lot of importance on Hoffman to raise her game another level this year. Hoffman had over 200 kills and 70 blocks in 2019. If she can be a finisher in the middle, it will allow Smith to continue to dominate when her number is called. Jana Molby – Sr. S Leland [caption id="attachment_100768" align="alignright" width="274"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-100768" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/Jana-Molby-274x300.jpg" alt="" width="274" height="300" /> Jana Molby[/caption] Leland has the luxury of returning nearly all of its 2019 squad this fall, a team that finished runner-up in Division 4. The Comets have a lot of team balance and a solid defensive back row, led by senior Mia Osorio. With great balance up front and lot of different hitting options, it will be up to Molby to be the leader and decision-maker with the offense. If she can continue to take a step forward and elevate the Leland offense to another level, the Comets could find themselves raising the state title this year. Eden Stokes – Jr. L/DS Southfield Christian Southfield Christian thought 2019 was its year to win it all and they came very close. The Eagles pushed Mendon to five sets in the semifinal before losing 15-13 in the final frame. That loss was the final match for a huge group, led by all-state hitters [player_tooltip player_id="14153" first="Emily" last="Van Dyke"] and [player_tooltip player_id="49437" first="Caitlin" last="Warnshuis"]. Also gone are the starting setter and libero. The Eagles are starting from scratch in many ways, which means Stokes will have to really elevate the SC defense while the team finds new hitting options and leaders. Stokes was involved in all five sets of last year’s semifinal and has some big-match experience to rely on. Brooklyn Besteman – Jr. MH Rudyard The Bulldogs got to the D4 semifinal last year before falling to Leland, but the squad graduated just two seniors. Among them was Nina Alpers, an All-State Honorable Mention middle. With a consistent six-rotation outside back in senior Sara Beelen, the Bulldogs will look to Besteman to raise her game and help replace Alpers in the middle. Besteman had a strong sophomore season with over 220 kills and 75 aces. She appears ready for a larger workload in 2020 to keep Rudyard in the title picture. Bailey Francher – Jr. L/DS Battle Creek St. Philip Always one of the top teams in D4, St. Philip is hoping to get past Mendon this year in the regional race, but the Fighting Tigers will need some new leaders to rise to the occasion. Setter Abby Austin and hitters Alexis Behnke and Maddie Hallacy graduated, leaving some voids to be filled. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="24854" first="Brooke" last="Dzwik"] is a highly capable outside, but will need help with the offense. As that gets pieced together, Francher will have to shoulder a big load with the defense. If she can help keep her team in-system, the Fighting Tigers will progress quickly and remain a top D4 program in 2020. Jocelynn Nicholls – Sr. MH Camden Frontier Camden Frontier had a thrilling four-set quarterfinal with Mendon in 2019, showing why it was a top-5 team in Division 4 throughout most of the season. Coming into 2020, Camden Frontier graduated All-State S/OH Jordan Stump and libero Frances Churchwell. Replacing them will be no small task, so the team will need Nicholls leadership and experience to carry them through the early struggles of the season. Nicholls is a top-level middle that can take over games with her athleticism. Ruby Schwalm – Jr. L/DS Merrill Merrill claimed a regional championship in 2019 behind a senior-heavy class. The Vandals graduated four All-Region seniors, three of which had All-State honors. While Laney Wiley returns as a capable senior outside, Merrill will have a lot of work to do on its offense. Schwalm’s play in the back row will be critical. She stepped up in key postseason matches last year and should have the confidence to help Merrill through the early struggles. [caption id="attachment_100769" align="alignright" width="229"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-100769" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/WOLL-Alexis-Koenig-229x300.jpg" alt="" width="229" height="300" /> Alexis Koenig[/caption] Alexis Koenig – Sr. OH Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Part of a team that didn’t have a senior in 2019, the Lakers still played their way to a district championship. The 2020 season could see more postseason success for WOLL and could also see Koenig have a breakout year. A powerful arm, Koenig is the go-to outside for the Lakers and she has the athleticism to become a dominant player in Division 4. If Koenig is able to mix up her attacks and add new wrinkles to her game, she is going to be difficult for anyone to stop. Katie Hopkins – Sr. S Oakland Christian Playing as part of an Oakland Christian volleyball team that didn’t have a senior throughout the 2018 or 2019 seasons, the 2020 season is expected to be a special one for the Lancers. Hopkins has been a captain and leader on the floor for OC since 2017 and its now going to be her leadership that can help guide Oakland Christian to big things. The Lancers haven’t had the postseason success they expected in the past, but behind Hopkins’ determined play, this could be the year for them.