Grand Haven Lakeshore Classic Preview & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 prep volleyball season gets underway in a big way this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be some great tournaments being held around the state on Saturday. On of which is the <strong>Grand Haven Varsity Lakeshore Classic</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A collection of 16 teams will be broken into four pools of four squads. The top two in each pool advance to the championship bracket, an 8-team single-elimination tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winning this event will be a great momentum boost to start the year. Here's a look at the great talent that will be featured.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool A: Skyline, Jenison, West Ottawa, Kenowa Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":166291,"width":168,"height":242,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/DSC_9824-709x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-166291" width="168" height="242"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skyline has the name recognition in this pool with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray']</strong> being Prep Dig's top-ranked 2023 player in the nation. The Eagles also were the Division 1 runner-up last season. West Ottawa's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108759' first='Raegan' last='Lantz'] </strong>can really showcase herself as a dominant hitter against opposing talent in this event. The Miami (Ohio) commit is hoping to lift the Panthers to a breakout season. Kenowa Hills brings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66324' first='Shelby' last='Porter'] </strong>to the table, a 6-foot senior outside that can finish at a high rate as well. She's likely to be relied on heavily this weekend with a lot of graduation losses from 2021. Jenison should be an intriguing team as well, as the Wildcats had seven underclassmen on the 2021 roster. That could lead to a big step forward for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool B: Novi, Grand Haven, Manchester, DeWitt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Novi could have the most defensive talent in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66308' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoffman']</strong> leading the way. Both also contribute offensively. The Wildcats have some questions to answer at setter, but still should be a fundamentally sound team. The host Grand Haven looks to be loaded for a strong year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108715' first='Kam' last='Burbridge'] </strong>is one of the best middles in the state while outside <strong>Izzy Whittaker </strong>is ready to showcase her growth over the last year. Also, don't sleep on the Bucs' defensive talent. It should be on point this year as well. Manchester is bringing a lot of depth to the table. It should be a balanced offensive and defensive performance for the Dutchmen. DeWitt has a great senior leader in setter <strong>Taylor Reha</strong> that will need to develop new hitters quickly to hang with some of the other powers in this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool C: North Branch, South Christian, Lowell, Grandville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":218024,"width":174,"height":215,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/DSC_9675-827x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-218024" width="174" height="215"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='66321' first='Aubreigh' last='Oswald']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a very strong pool. North Branch steps in as the Division 2 preseason favorite. We've talked at length at all the Broncos bring to the table this year. They are stacked everywhere and could establish themselves as the best team in the state regardless of division. Grandville brings in our top-ranked player of the 2024 class in setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110292' first='Zoey' last='Dood']</strong>. She's got all the tools and is ready to lead the Bulldogs to a big 2022 season, along with senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140491' first='Paige' last='Sanders']</strong>. Speaking of middles, South Christian has a dynamic 1-2 punch in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66293' first='Kennedy' last='Arp']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110296' first='Ellie' last='Fles']</strong>. They lead a veteran Sailors squad this season. Lowell is just a few years removed from being the D1 runner-up. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66321' first='Aubreigh' last='Oswald']</strong> can hold her own in the middle with anyone, and the Red Arrows are hoping playing youth at setter and libero in 2021 will have big benefits in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool D: Hudsonville, Forest Hills Central, East Kentwood, Livonia Stevenson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville reached the D1 semifinals a year ago, but have a lot to replace. Luckily for the Eagles they have junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] </strong>to rely on, along with junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']</strong>. Forest Hills Central is going to bring the heat at the net this year with senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66299' first='Sarah' last='Dunn']</strong>, junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow']</strong> and junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110308' first='Mila' last='Kavara']</strong>. It should be one of the most prolific offenses in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173611' first='Jacey' last='Anama'] </strong>is a senior outside that will lead an East Kentwood team that won over 30 matches in 2021. Stevenson should be very excited as it returns three veteran hitters and a setter. If its defense can regroup quickly, it should be a great year as the Spartans will have a powerful offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Championship Bracket Teams Prediction: </strong>Skyline, West Ottawa, Novi, Grand Haven, North Branch, South Christian, Hudsonville, Forest Hills Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinalists Prediction: </strong>Skyline, Grand Haven, North Branch, Forest Hills Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals Prediction: </strong>North Branch over Skyline</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->