2023 Season Preview: Top D2 Contenders
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There’s no way to sugarcoat it, Division 2 has a pretty big mountain to scale in 2023. The defending champs look just as strong as ever, leaving most teams scrambling to come up with a game plan to unseat them…
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Continue ReadingThere’s no way to sugarcoat it, Division 2 has a pretty big mountain to scale in 2023.
The defending champs look just as strong as ever, leaving most teams scrambling to come up with a game plan to unseat them up top. The runner-up in 2022, Cadillac, is now in Division 1 for 2023.
There’s still a season to be played though, and crazier things have happened. Here’s the five teams we think are our top D2 contenders to open 2023.
Detroit Country Day
The Yellowjackets have been on the cusp of breaking through to Battle Creek for years and 2023 could finally be that year for them. While graduating some top hitters, DCD is going to reload this fall. Olivia Grenadier Olivia Grenadier 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2025 State #91 Nation MI has proven to be one of the top 2025 players in the state, able to play the middle or outside and be a dominant finisher at either spot. She hit .460 last fall for Country Day. Mia Eickholdt Mia Eickholdt 5'11" | RS Country Day | 2024 State MI is also back as a solid outside to give DCD a nice 1-2 punch. While the Jackets need to find a new starting setter, it does bring back senior Riley Lockhart Riley Lockhart 5'10" | DS/L Country Day | 2024 State MI for leadership at the libero position. Lockhart is a well-coached defender that can wear many hats on the court.
Grand Rapids Christian
The Eagles will be lacking in experienced hitters to turn to this year, which certainly will be a challenge. However, GRC still has a lot of experience to work with at setter and libero. Grace Spoelma Grace Spoelma 5'8" | S Grand Rapids Christian | 2024 State MI and Hanna Bredeweg Hanna Bredeweg 5'9" | S Grand Rapids Christian | 2024 State MI are two talented setters that can impact the game in other areas as well. Madison Peal Madison Peal 5'8" | DS/L Grand Rapids Christian | 2025 State MI returns at libero to help lead an experienced set of defenders that will help make up for the offensive concerns. GRC has proven it can develop hitters time and again. Lucy VanDrunen Lucy VanDrunen 5'10" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2025 State MI and Savannah Bol could be potential breakout hitters this fall.
Lakewood
The Vikings have proven to always be a D2 contender no matter the year. Last year they played a tough five-set quarterfinal with South Christian before bowing out. This year, Lakewood won’t be without its questions, especially at the net. However, leadership positions at setter and libero are locked in. Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI is now a fourth-year starter for the Vikings at libero and its hard to find a more consistent player. Her talents have allowed the Vikings to stay one of the most technically-sound teams in the state. Abby Pickard is back as a junior setter this year. She really raised her game to bring the most out of some unproven hitters last year and will be challenged to do more of the same in 2023. If Lakewood can find those consistent power finishers, the Vikings will contend again.
North Branch
There may be only one real favorite in D2, and that is the defending champs. The Broncos return nearly their entire lineup for 2023, including five All-State honorees. This team is going to be stacked and could honestly be the best squad in the state regardless of division. Legendary coach Jim Fish has a wealth of talent at his fingertips right now. Alana Deshetsky Alana Deshetsky 5'8" | OH North Branch | 2024 State MI , Aubree Deshetsky Aubree Deshetsky 5'9" | OH North Branch | 2026 State MI and Clara Gyomory Clara Gyomory 5'10" | RS North Branch | 2024 State MI are consistent and powerful finishers on the outside. Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI is a towering middle, while Adrienne Greschaw Adrienne Greschaw 5'9" | S North Branch | 2024 State MI is an elite setter and Hailey Green Hailey Green 5'1" | DS/L North Branch | 2024 State MI is an elite libero. North Branch doesn’t really seem to have a weakness.
Notre Dame Prep
Another team you can’t count out ever in Division 2 is Notre Dame Prep. The Irish see big graduation losses, but still manage to be a title contender the next year. This season will be a “prove it” season for the Irish, as they bring back contributors, but will need to establish leaders. They have to replace a starting setter and libero that were clear captains for the squad in 2022. Junior Mya Kattula Mya Kattula 5'11" | S Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State MI can be one of those leaders. She was a big contributor as a setter and RS in 2022. The Irish aren’t likely to have a single hitter as dominant as Grace Wenaas was, but they can do it by committee with returners like Kattula, Bree Blakeslee, Madison Pawlowski and Delaney Zielke Delaney Zielke 5'9" | RS Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State MI . Sophia Sermo is also a DS that saw a lot of action last year and could be the next in line to wear the NDP libero jersey, which is a pretty elite company over the last 10 years.
Other top contenders: Marshall, South Christian