Five teams that could shake up Division 1 in 2021

<p>As one school year comes to an end, another is just right around the corner.</p> <p>First practices for the 2021 prep season are exactly two months from today.</p> <p>Hard to believe.</p> <p>With each new season comes new potential champions around the state.</p> <p>For Division 1, there are a number of teams that failed to win a regional championship in 2020 that have the potential to get to Battle Creek when all will be said and done.</p> <p>Here’s five teams that will look to shakeup the postseason picture in the new season.</p> <h4><strong>Rockford</strong></h4> <p>The Rams are hardly a dark horse in Division 1. Rockford graduated just one player from a team that reached the regional finals in 2020. While taking a back seat to some other top programs in the Grand Rapids area, Rockford seems primed to push for a return to Kellogg Arena in 2021. The Rams return three All-State honorees from last season in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137574" first="Alina" last="Anderson"]</strong>, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137571" first="Kenzie" last="Delacher"] </strong>and middle <strong>Ava Horton</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="140476" first="Meredith" last="Simmons"], [player_tooltip player_id="60837" first="Ava" last="Young"],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92234" first="Avery" last="Toole"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66315" first="Lizzie" last="Macintosh"] </strong>all were steady contributors as well, giving Rockford as much hitting depth as anyone in the state. With experience returners at libero and setter as well, Rockford is sure to be a tough out in 2021.</p> <h4><strong>Hudsonville</strong></h4> <p><img class="size-medium wp-image-130438 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/92_Carlina-Bender2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />The Eagles suffered a tough exit in the district semifinals, losing in five sets to Grandville to end its 2020 season. Hudsonville’s 2021 roster looks awfully strong as it looks to make a splash in D1. The Eagles will have a great defense, led by All-State libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24839" first="Carlina" last="Bender"]</strong> and outside hitter <strong>Eva Joldersma</strong>. At the net, Hudsonville returns four players with over 150 kills in 2020. Their balanced attack includes Joldersma and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24868" first="Emmalee" last="Murphy"] </strong>on the outside, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91609" first="Leah" last="Rogers"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60841" first="Olivia" last="Howlett"] </strong>in the middle. Hudsonville will have to work out a new starting setter, but she will have a lot of great hitters and great passers to work with.</p> <h4><strong>Marquette</strong></h4> <p>The Redettes don’t get the luxury of competing against many Division 1 opponents in-state, so it’s always a little difficult to size them up come playoff time. However, the 2021 version is going to bring a lot of hitting to the net and make it very challenging for opponents. Leading the way is standout outside and 2020 All-State <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91610" first="Seiler" last="Hruska"]</strong>. She’s a total package at the position and is capable of putting the team on her back. However, she won’t have to as she will have returning All-Region middles in <strong>Maria Milado </strong>and <strong>Roxy Nelson</strong>. The front row of Marquette is going to pose a lot of problems offensive and defensively for opponents in 2021.</p> <h4><strong>Portage Northern</strong></h4> <p>The Huskies were forced to take a back seat to rival Portage Central in 2020, but they are hoping to reverse the roles in 2021. While graduating three from the roster, Northern will be bringing back a lot of top-level talent to the court this fall. Leading the way is standout libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24838" first="Lyse" last="Bates"]</strong>, an All-State honoree in 2020. The Huskies also return setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24864" first="Alia" last="Mastromatteo"]</strong>, along with six-rotation outside <strong>Bela Griwatsch</strong>. Fellow outside <strong>Anna Griffioen </strong>made some nice strides as a sophomore and is in line for a bigger role this fall. If their middles can raise their game, Northern shouldn’t have a weakness on the floor.</p> <h4><strong>Okemos</strong></h4> <p>The Chieftains nearly didn’t have a season in 2020, but their limited schedule still showed a lot of promise for 2021 and 2022. The relatively young team will bring back three All-Region talents this fall, two of which are juniors in outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="140475" first="Taylor" last="Stephens"] </strong>and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="140490" first="Kayla" last="Ozanich"]</strong>. Senior outside <strong>Bethany Hartman</strong> is also back to give Okemos its three top hitters from 2020 back on the floor. Ozanich alone hit over .320 for the season. Libero <strong>Ella Woodward </strong>also returns to give Okemos major foundation pieces to build on this fall and possibly make a deep run in the postseason.</p>