Top Six Teams to Watch in Division 1

The last few seasons, it has been the domination of the Catholic League in Division 1. Marian is looking to defend not one, but two straight state titles. And before them, it was [player_tooltip player_id='14163' first='Julia' last='Bishop'] and [player_tooltip player_id='14089' first='Jess' last='Mruzik'] of Mercy who took home the title in 2019.   The domination of the Catholic League could very well continue this year as Marian returns a heavy roster and a deep bench. But I think this is going to be the year they meet their match. Many teams around the state have just restocked, reloaded and are coming into the 2022 season HOT!   Here are six teams you need to look out for in the 2022 MHSAA season!   <h2>Marian</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1461465368132739077?s=20u0026t=CZ4aEX_SBfJqPqYBt1LknQ </div></figure>   Marian is no stranger to the big stages, in fact, they thrive under the limelight. 2022 will see the Mustangs on the hunt for their third consecutive title in Division 1. They're coached by one of the best in the business and reigning AVCA High School Coach of the Year, Mayssa Cook. This won't be the easiest of roads though, as they return a talented bench, they graduate the bulk of their starting line up from a year ago.   The returning champs bring back one of the best setters in the country, [player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'], and one of the top lefties on the right side with [player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer']. From their bench they call up a pair of talented left side attackers. [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] is young, but is coming off of a second straight All-American club season with Michigan Elite. Then there is [player_tooltip player_id='152524' first='Molly' last='Banta'] who is also coming off of a successful club season with Elite. While I have confidence in those stepping up to the plate on the pins, a huge question mark surrounds this team's production in the middle.   Key losses: OH [player_tooltip player_id='24846' first='Ava' last='Brizard'] (NC State), MB [player_tooltip player_id='24877' first='Sarah' last='Sylvester'] (TCU), OH [player_tooltip player_id='24883' first='Sophia' last='Treder'] (Brown), MB [player_tooltip player_id='137570' first='Janiah' last='Jones'] (Eastern Michigan)   Key Returners: S [player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'] (Kentucky), OPP [player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer'] (Wofford)   <h2>Northville</h2>   I would not be shocked to see another group of Mustangs under the big lights of Battle Creek. Northville has been tapping on the door for quite sometime and this may be the very year they break through. Last season saw the Stangs go toe-to-toe with the eventual Runner-Ups in Ann Arbor Skyline in the Quarterfinals. But when only one of your attackers are able to find the floor, it makes things very difficult to muscle through.   This year is a much different story as Northville reloads and restocks with some notable transfers in S [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='110297' first='Brooke' last='Foucher']. Craggs is coming off of an All-American club season with Michigan Elite and will not be short of weapons in her artillery. [player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck'] is their big returner as the move over to the left side from the middle paid off so well last season. Northville also boasts arguably the best returning defensive lines in the state with libero [player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'] returning alongside [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'].   Key Losses: S [player_tooltip player_id='60851' first='Juliana' last='Imbuzeiro'] (Nova Southeastern), MB Erin Morrisey (Davenport)   Key Returners: OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck'] (Northeastern), L [player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'], L [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'], L [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson']   <h2>Macomb Dakota</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1461492668354154496?s=20u0026t=CZ4aEX_SBfJqPqYBt1LknQ </div></figure>   This team was on the terror last season, going on an undefeated streak until early October before taking a loss at the coveted Beast of the East tournament. Rest assured, regrouped and focused, Macomb Dakota bounced back with a tough march to the Final Four. While this run didn't end in a championship appearance, returning the bulk of your starting line up is a recipe for better results this time around.   Outside of their opposite [player_tooltip player_id='173320' first='Alyssa' last='Bommarito'] and libero Ella DeMasse, Dakota returns one of the toughest front lines in the state. This team can be incredibly physical at the net. Between S [player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'] and MB duo [player_tooltip player_id='66302' first='Olivia' last='Gardner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'], it is a total wall at the net. Their outsides prove to be just as talented with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='66338' first='Emma' last='Thamarus'], [player_tooltip player_id='108755' first='Bella' last='Austin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172209' first='Karley' last='Pretzer'] in the mix for playing time, you can't go wrong with any of them. Big question with this squad is who will man the back court and keep this uber talented offense in system?   Key Losses: L Ella DeMasse & OPP [player_tooltip player_id='173320' first='Alyssa' last='Bommarito'] (UM-Dearborn)   Key Returners: S [player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='66302' first='Olivia' last='Gardner'] (Loyola-Chicago), MB [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='66338' first='Emma' last='Thamarus'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='108755' first='Bella' last='Austin']   <h2>Forest Hills Central</h2>   Last season saw this squad go a couple rounds deep in the tournament before falling to Rockford in the regional finals. Last season was led by Clemson bound middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='24851' first='Brooklyn' last='Conner']. Conner was a big force at the net with her intense blocking and agile attacking. Opposite Conner graduates another offensive dynamo, Sophie Shields. Without an apparent heir in the middle, the vacancy raises a question or two.   With these questions though, Forest Hills Central returns a really dynamic duo of outside attackers in [player_tooltip player_id='66299' first='Sarah' last='Dunn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow']. The two are constant threats on offense and defense as they are two of the best six rotation players in the state. Ball control and production from the left side is not at all an issue for this team. Dunn and Weslow combined for 695 kills which equated to almost half of last year's offense. Will the duo be able to take on the load left behind and carry this team further?   Key Losses: MB [player_tooltip player_id='24851' first='Brooklyn' last='Conner'] (Clemson), OH/MB Sophie Shields   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='66299' first='Sarah' last='Dunn'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='110332' first='Avery' last='Weslow']   <h2>Forest Hills Northern</h2>   Now, I may be going out on a limb with this one. Forest Hills Northern was knocked out early on in the tournament as they are in one of the toughest districts in the entire state. With that said though, they lost in a five-set nail biter and this team remains oozing with talent across the board. And they return all of this talent to what may be a historic year for the Huskies.   One of the biggest returners of them all is All-American OH [player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell']. She has been cruising as of late racking in championships and accolades with FaR Out Volleyball. Accompanying her from last season is All-State honoree OH [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'], and S [player_tooltip player_id='173606' first='Lauren' last='Hallas']. Erickson and Hopewell are also coming off of great seasons with FaR Out and puts in motion a really talented front line. Louisell and Erickson will compliment each other well, as the two are great ball control athletes and can deliver a blistering ball anywhere on the court. Hopewell can be found anywhere along the net too without missing a beat in her production.   Key Losses: UT Jamison Hopewell (McKendree Beach)   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'], S [player_tooltip player_id='173606' first='Lauren' last='Hallas']   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1460853393757556740?s=20u0026t=CZ4aEX_SBfJqPqYBt1LknQ </div></figure>   <h2>Ann Arbor Skyline</h2>   Last but not least, the 2021 Runner-Ups, Ann Arbor Skyline. This team loses a lot from last year's team. From 6'4 MB [player_tooltip player_id='24843' first='Cari' last='Bohm'], S [player_tooltip player_id='60856' first='Lauren' last='Lee'], to L Jordan Hall, this leaves huge hole. Now, let's not pretend Skyline doesn't return one of the biggest names in volleyball right now in [player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray'] though. But even with Murray, will Skyline be able to bounce back from such losses? I'll be curious to see as the season progresses.   Skyline doesn't lose everyone though, outside of the #1 recruit in the country, Skyline returns MB [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley'] and OH Ayla Dunbar. The three will for sure be the leading scorers, but now who will keep this offense in rhythm? Losing a huge chunk of their ball control with Hall and Lee running such a smooth offense, this may be the make or break to this team returning to Kellogg Arena.   Key Losses: MB [player_tooltip player_id='24843' first='Cari' last='Bohm'] (Illinois), S [player_tooltip player_id='60856' first='Lauren' last='Lee'] (Hope), L Jordan Hall   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray'] (Nebraska), OH Ayla Dunbar (Dennison), MB [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley']

The last few seasons, it has been the domination of the Catholic League in Division 1. Marian is looking to defend not one, but two straight state titles. And before them, it was Julia Bishop Julia Bishop 5'10" | S Mercy | 2021 State MI and Jess Mruzik Jess Mruzik 6'2" | OH Mercy | 2020 State MI of Mercy who took home the title in 2019.