4 Teams that Could Win Their First State Title in 2022

<p>The 2021 season saw the epic run of the Reese Rockets take the volleyball world by storm. Predicted to drop out of the tournament early on in the district rounds, the Rockets prevailed against every prediction against them until the end. Being one of the first programs in several years to secure their first program title. This win for the Rockets was also the first state title across all sports at Reese High. </p>   <p>With such an exciting time from 2021, we have to ask ourselves, who is next? What team will be the next one to take down a perennial power and bring home their first state title in Volleyball? I have a feeling that 2022 will see another newbie have a similar result to the Rockets.</p>   <p>Here are the top five teams I predict to be in the running to win their first state title in 2022.</p>   <h2>Northville</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/DSC_3383-770x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153912" width="182" height="242" /></figure>   <p>This team was knocking on the door of Kellogg Arena last season, just dropping out of the tournament in the quarterfinals to the eventual Runner-Ups, Ann Arbor Skyline. That team was great, and the team they have now is even better. From last season's team, they lose their setter and a middle. But not only do they return everyone else from the starting line up, they bring in some of the biggest transfers in the state, 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 and Foucher was a key piece in L2's 16-1s squad. But who else is on the bench?</p>   <p>The Mustangs bring in these two young guns on top of a stacked bench. Key returners to 2022 include 2nd Team All-State OH [player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck'], L [player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'] and MB [player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson']. Reck nearly propelled Northville into a fifth set with Skyline last year in the Quarters with a booming 22 points in the match. Rice spearheads a defensive trio like none other in the state that could see anyone of them libero at any moment and deliver at a high level. Nelson was the team leader in blocks last season. There's much more depth to this bench that includes the younger Reck twins, Mallory and Molly, and OPP <strong>Lauren MacKellar</strong>.</p>   <p>With a bench so deep, the level of experience each player brings to the court, and not to mention size, this is a recipe for domination as the Mustangs currently sit at 8-0. </p>   <h2>Ann Arbor Skyline</h2>   <p>If you don't know already, let me fill you in. Ann Arbor Skyline has the No. 1 recruit in the country on their side. [player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray'] has taken this team to great heights during her time in the blue and white. She led the Eagles to a semifinal appearance her freshman year and then followed that up with a championship game this last season, losing to the two-time defending champs, Marian. She's a national champion, she's a USA National Team member and she'll be a Nebraska Cornhusker after this high school season concludes. Murray is determined for a state championship before her time at Ann Arbor Skyline concludes. Who else is going to help her out?</p>   <p>She's joined by a pair of pins in Ayla Dunbar and [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley'], the two kind of fell under the radar during last year's run but will have to step up huge to join Murray in the fight for Skyline's first championship. A big question mark remains around the setting and libero positions, as if Skyline can find the answers to deliver in the high pressure moments, they can find themselves with a championship.</p>   <h2>Cass City</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Shelby-Ignash-Kacee-Gray-832x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-165587" width="168" height="210" /></figure>   <p>Cass City hasn't been knocking on the door of a state championship, but they have been knocking on the door of a district championship for years! Constantly ranked amongst the top in Division 3, they never could find a way to push through the first rounds of the tournament. Last year was a different story however, as they were a mere three points away from eliminating Reese in the Regional Final. From that team, they only lose one key piece while bringing back some of the top underclassmen in the state.</p>   <p>Of the underclassmen in question, put an exclamation point on [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash']. Ignash is one of the most exciting names in the 2025 class in Michigan. She lit up the scene last year and came up big when her team needed her most, how does 20+ kills sound for a middle blocker in the regional final?! Alongside her are a pair of sophomore outside hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595976' first='Lexi' last='Champagne']</strong>. Gray is a returner from last season's team and was a main contributor to not only the offense but the reception for Cass City. The two bring in fellow sophomore, Champagne, and in the early stages of the season, she has looked more than ready to go toe-to-toe with some of the best. With the three firing on all cylinders by the end of the season, and for the next three years, Cass City is bound to find themselves in Battle Creek and returning home with the ultimate prize.</p>   <h2>McBain</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/McBain-7-Gabrielle-VerBerkmoes-2-736x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-207873" width="133" height="185" /></figure>   <p>McBain was so close to battling for a state title last season. Last season saw McBain run all the way to the semifinals before dropping in three hotly contested sets with St. Mary's Catholic Central. With a huge returning group of talent and size, they're coming back with a vengeance and is one of the favorites in Division 3.</p>   <p>Amongst the top returners are middle blockers <strong>Gabrielle VerBerkmoes</strong> and Lindsey VanderVlucht. This team is middle heavy and deservedly so, this duo are blocking dynamos and can bring some serious heat behind their swings. The Ramblers also return setter <strong>Analiese Fredin</strong>. VerBerkmoes and Fredin were both All-State honorees last season returning for their senior season. This team has had a stellar opening to the 2022 season thus far winning the Leland Classic in the opening weekend. </p>

The 2021 season saw the epic run of the Reese Rockets take the volleyball world by storm. Predicted to drop out of the tournament early on in the district rounds, the Rockets prevailed against every prediction against them until the end. Being one of the first programs in several years to secure their first program title. This win for the Rockets was also the first state title across all sports at Reese High.