2022 Prep Preview: Four Questions For The D1 Semifinalists

<p>The club season has now moved into the rearview mirror, which allows us to shift to focusing on the upcoming prep season.</p> <p>There’s a lot to dig through, no pun intended. Let’s get started by looking at last year’s Division 1 semifinalists and the big questions they face entering the new season.</p> <h4><strong>Marian – Is a 3-peat possible?</strong></h4> <p>Marian elevated itself to back-to-back state championships for the 2020 and 2021 prep seasons. Last year’s squad returned its roster from 2020, so a second title wasn’t too surprising. This year, the Mustangs lost four seniors from 2021. Not a huge number, but they were huge in impact. Ava Brizard (N.C. State) was Miss Volleyball, while Sarah Sylvester (TCU) was one of the top middles in the state. Janiah Jones was a key piece to the rotation at middle, as was outside Sophie Treder.</p> <p>Still, Marian is going to have a lot of talent for 2022, and a lot of championship pedigree to work with. Leading the way is senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66328" first="Ava" last="Sarafa"]</strong> (Kentucky), who has established herself as one of the top 2023 setters in the country. She’s got some talented hitters to run with, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66330" first="Ella" last="Schomer"] </strong>(Wofford) the team’s OPP last fall. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156287" first="Isabelle" last="Busignani"]</strong> looks ready to be a go-to hitter for the Mustangs. She’s had a tremendous club season and looks the part of a big-time player. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66305" first="Lauren" last="Heming"]</strong> will be a fourth-year libero for the squad and has come through in high-pressure matches. If Marian can get its new middles to transition into the lineup smoothly, the Mustangs certainly can contend for a third consecutive D1 championship.</p> <h4><strong>Ann Arbor Skyline – Is it Murray’s time?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_166076" align="alignright" width="181"]<img class="wp-image-166076" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Skyline-2-Harper-Murray-3-192x300.jpg" alt="" width="181" height="282" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"][/caption] <p>Skyline was the 2021 runner-up, but gave Marian a four-set battle in the championship. One thing the Eagles don’t have to worry about is their go-to player. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"]</strong> (Nebraska) steps into the 2022 season as Prep Dig’s top-ranked player nationally. The outside also added another national championship to her club record last month, so her confidence level should be at an all-time high.</p> <p>The problem for Murray and Skyline will be her supporting cast. Skyline graduated six seniors from last year’s team, including a Division 1 middle in Cari Bohm, setter Lauren Lee and libero Jordan Hall. Murray will have some experienced hitters to compliment her in senior <strong>Ayla Dunbar </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="176600" first="Kate" last="Maley"]</strong>. Murray is going to be able to shoulder the load until new starters can get comfortable. As long as Skyline has her on the floor, it will be in the D1 mix.</p> <h4><strong>Macomb Dakota – Was 2021 the jumping off point?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_165496" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-165496 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0151-300x270.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="300" height="270" /> [player_tooltip player_id="110328" first="Johanna" last="Tillman"] (18) &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="66338" first="Emma" last="Thamarus"] (12)[/caption] <p>Dakota was hovering near the top ranking in 2021 most of the year and did so while incorporating a lot of juniors. That left many believing that 2022 could be the year of the Cougars. They still reached the semifinals and put up a good fight with Skyline.</p> <p>This year, Dakota can rely on a lot of leadership and experience on the floor. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108718" first="Erin" last="Madigan"] </strong>is a big asset. Standing 6’2”, Madigan has a great feel for the offense and plays aggressively at the position. She’s got a wealth of hitting talent to work with this year. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66302" first="Olivia" last="Gardner"] </strong>(Loyola-Chicago) is one of the top middles in the state, offensively and defensively. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110328" first="Johanna" last="Tillman"]</strong> is a promising 2024 middle that is in line for more opportunities this fall as well. On the outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66338" first="Emma" last="Thamarus"] </strong>was the team’s go-to pin hitter last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108755" first="Bella" last="Austin"]</strong>, also was a big arm for the team on the outside that brings a lot of pop to the offense. If Dakota can replace a graduating libero and keep its offense in-system, it will be tough for anyone to go toe-to-toe with.</p> <h4><strong>Hudsonville – Are the juniors ready to step up?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_166832" align="alignright" width="194"]<img class="wp-image-166832" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/DSC_4932-242x300.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="240" /> [player_tooltip player_id="110279" first="Gianna" last="Bender"][/caption] <p>Hudsonville was a senior-heavy squad in 2021 to get to the D1 semifinals. While graduating just five, they were a very impactful five that left a lot of holes in the roster. The Eagles will be turning to some juniors to fill those voids and keep it as a D1 contender this fall.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172198" first="Isabelle" last="Swiercz"] </strong>was a very impressive sophomore in 2021 that kept right up with her senior peers at the net. She definitely can step into a go-to hitter role for Hudsonville. She’s got the athleticism and power to take on a lot of swings. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110279" first="Gianna" last="Bender"]</strong> will replace graduating libero <strong>Carlina Bender</strong> in the back row. Gigi was a steady part of the rotation last year and should be ready to take on the libero jersey this year to keep Hudsonville strong defensively. <strong>Megan Beemer</strong> was one of two setters for Hudsonville as a sophomore as well. <strong>Lauren Wiles</strong> was the other, and enters her senior season. Having both back should allow the Eagles to develop new hitters, especially in the middle.</p>