Top offensive teams in Division 1

Everyone loves a big kill on the volleyball court. The sound of a perfectly hit ball that slams down to the court is a symphony. In Division 1, you can find plenty of powerful offenses around the state. There battle to be the top attack this year will be competitive, but here are some teams that could earn that crown in 2020. Farmington Hills Mercy The 2019 D1 state champs lost [player_tooltip player_id="14089" first="Jess" last="Mruzik"], one of the state’s best players in history, but the Marlins aren’t lacking in firepower for 2020. In the middle, Mercy has Charli Atiemo and [player_tooltip player_id="50293" first="Ellie" last="Tisko"], who are as strong as anyone in the state at that position. [player_tooltip player_id="50292" first="Kaylin" last="Collins"] is a capable outside coming off a knee injury, but will get a chance to shine in 2020. Leah LaFontaine made some strides as a sophomore and will see an increased load this fall as well. Putting it all together is [player_tooltip player_id="14163" first="Julia" last="Bishop"], one of the best setters in the Midwest. Lowell [caption id="attachment_101124" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-101124" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/Lowell-Team-2-300x207.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="207" /> Lowell[/caption] The Red Arrows were close to a state title in 2019 behind their hitting power and 2020 should see Lowell be right up there again. [player_tooltip player_id="14192" first="Jenna" last="Reitsma"] could be the top outside hitter in the entire state. While losing a pair of strong hitters from the 2019 team, [player_tooltip player_id="24876" first="Emily" last="Struckmeyer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="66321" first="Aubreigh" last="Oswald"] showed a lot of promise as underclassmen last year. A veteran setter in [player_tooltip player_id="50309" first="Sophia" last="Powell"] will also keep the offense running like a well-oiled machine. Lake Orion The concerns for hitters entering the 2019 season proved to be nothing to worry about for the 2018 D1 state champs. The Dragons developed a well-balanced group of hitters last fall and now return the majority of that group. Senior middles [player_tooltip player_id="14193" first="Kendall" last="Robertson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="50303" first="Reagan" last="Goeke"] provide a dominant block and can finish at a high rate. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"] was one of the most productive freshmen in the state last fall and seniors [player_tooltip player_id="89347" first="Lauren" last="Staruch"] and Taylor Butkiewicz are ready to build off a strong finish to 2019. [player_tooltip player_id="24863" first="Jaina" last="Macaulay"] returns at setter and has familiarity with all the hitters. Marian Despite being a young team, Marian brings a lot of power to the net in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"] is our top-ranked player in the Class of 2022 and has ever-improving skills as a six-rotation outside. [player_tooltip player_id="24848" first="Tatum" last="Casper"] and Sophie Treder are also 2022 standouts that can play all across the net. [player_tooltip player_id="66329" first="Reagan" last="Sass"] is a diverse hitter that showed a lot of promise as a freshman. In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id="24877" first="Sarah" last="Sylvester"] has all the skills to be dominant as a junior in 2020. The offense will be run by [player_tooltip player_id="66328" first="Ava" last="Sarafa"], the Class of 2023 setter that showed she was up for high-profile matches last fall. Utica Eisenhower The Eagles have a lot of fire power coming into 2020, led by senior outside [player_tooltip player_id="14188" first="Sydney" last="Palazzolo"]. She put up great numbers as a junior and will be back to contend as one of the top outsides in the state this fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="50333" first="Kira" last="Buza"] is also a great force in the middle, while Chloe Cole showed some promise in limited swings at the net as a junior. Angelena Tripi will be back for her senior year at setter, making Eisenhower an experienced group on offense. Stoney Creek Another powerful attack in the OAA Red is the Cougars. Despite losing kill leader [player_tooltip player_id="14107" first="Kate" last="Stration"], Stoney Creek still has plenty to offer at the net this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="24881" first="Sydney" last="Tomlak"] had a great freshman and sophomore campaign for Stoney and is ready to take on a bigger role as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id="50298" first="Ainsley" last="Guse"] is one of the top middles in the state and hit nearly .400 as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id="89349" first="Ella" last="Markevics"] returns for her senior year at setter. She knows how to spread the ball out and also knows when to call her own number. Clarkston The Wolves have a nice mix of proven commodities and potential stars for the 2020 season. When all is said and done, Clarkston could produce the top offense in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="50296" first="Claire" last="Nowicki"] is a balanced outside that has a great mix of shots and speeds. In the middle, Clarkston has a lot of great options. Sydney Hazenfratz is a proven senior that can finish with a powerful swing. Elizabeth Adams came on late in 2019 and is ready for a breakout season in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="89339" first="Alana" last="Watlington"] is hoping the injury bug will stay away and she can build on the impressive skills she showed in 2018. Putting it together will be Shay Bordine at setter. Could 2020 be the year Clarkston breaks through to Battle Creek? Forest Hills Central The Rangers have gotten lost in the shuffle in a talent-heavy Grand Rapids-area, but FHC is hoping for big things in 2020 behind some lethal hitters. Veteran [player_tooltip player_id="50301" first="Tatum" last="Otolski"] is a handful in the middle and will be a big senior leader, as will senior outside [player_tooltip player_id="50318" first="Julia" last="Bouma"]. Junior middle [player_tooltip player_id="24851" first="Brooklyn" last="Conner"] has a lot of size and adds another dimension to this attack. Junior outside [player_tooltip player_id="60838" first="Sophia" last="Shields"] is also hungry to take FHC to another level. The Rangers should be able to keep opponents guessing all match long with their hitting options.