D1’s Five Top Contenders For 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting closer and closer to another exciting prep season here in Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 1 is shaping up to be an outstanding race for the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-time champs have plenty of questions, while a lot of hungry contenders are sizing them up this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the five teams that look to be the top contenders for the D1 title on paper in the preseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":276087,"width":254,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/7-Cayla-Cogan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-276087" width="254" height="233" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves were a point away from unseating Marian in the D1 quarterfinal last year before an injury on the potential game-winning attack put a dark cloud over the end of their 2022 season. That moment surely has been a motivator all offseason for Clarkston. This team brings back a lot of experience, led by outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan']</strong>, who was as dominant a hitter as you could find at the tail end of 2022. Cogan is overcoming a knee injury, but if she can return to form, it will go a long way for the Wolves. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110309' first='Emery' last='Kuebler'] </strong>will be back to feed her the ball while helping develop other new go-to arms. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179732' first='Isabelle' last='Henry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</strong> should see bigger roles this fall. Newblatt was limited in 2022 by injuries, but could be in store for a breakout season as a junior. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher']</strong> is a trusted libero in the back row with a lot of big-match experience. The senior took her game to a new level in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville missed out on a trip to Battle Creek last fall, but is hungry to get back and looks more than capable. <strong>Isabelle Swericz</strong> will be back to lead the offense and is definitely on the Miss Volleyball radar after pushing for 600 kills as a junior. <strong>Maislin Joldersma</strong> and <strong>Dior Hoogenstyn</strong> can provide compliments along the net for the Eagle offense, who also return both setters in <strong>Megan Beemer </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong']</strong>. Defensively, they don't get much better than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']</strong>. A Bender has been the rock in the back row for this Hudsonville program for quite a while now. Last fall Gianna approached 700 digs and proved to be a real game changer in the back row. Hudsonville looks to be pretty solid in all the key places, so they could be the team to beat in the Grand Rapids area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-time defending champs are still going to be tough to unseat in 2023. Coach Mayssa Cook is never short on motivation, so with this year's squad having to replace a lot of production and many doubting their ability to bounce back, she will be plenty motivated to coach the Mustangs to another title. The big questions will be replacing setter Ava Sarafa and libero Lauren Heming, both who were stalwarts with the program the last four years. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison'] </strong>got a lot of teaching last year to try and take on the setter role, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock'] </strong>transferred over from Clarkston. Giehtbrock's eligibility status for this fall is still unclear, but if able to play she's a setter/utility option that can make a great impact. The Mustangs lose five of their top six dig leaders, so defensive concerns will be there, but they still should have plenty of power arms. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</strong> is one of the top outsides in the state and will be pushing to be a dominant force in her junior year. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz']</strong> showed impressive stretches last season and could be in line for a bigger offensive role in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108790' first='Mckenzie' last='Swanson'] </strong>is back as a towering 6'3” middle, while younger sister <strong>Ella Swanson</strong> is another 6'3” middle that could have a breakout fall as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":392570,"width":237,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/8-Molly-Reck.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-392570" width="237" height="233" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs broke through and got to the D1 final last fall, but they don't intend 2022 to be an anomaly. While replacing Abigail Reck will be no small task, Northville likely can do it by committee in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] </strong>is a talented and athletic middle that is ready to take on a bigger offensive load, while juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck']</strong> can be a nice 1-2 punch on the outsides alongside senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110327' first='Ava' last='Thomas']</strong>. With junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>running the offense at setter, it's hard to see Northville's offense not being one of the best in the state again. Strong defense has always been a foundation of the Northville program and that won't change in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] </strong>were two outstanding DS players last year and combined for over 550 digs. Craggs is also an underrated defender as a setter. A well-coached squad with a lot of contributing pieces should make Northville among the best in D1 once again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Saline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After some ups and downs during the 2022 season, Saline got everything clicking at the right time and made a postseason run to Battle Creek where it took Northville to a thrilling 5-set battle. This year, the Hornets shouldn't be lacking in confidence and get a big boost by having 6'3” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl'] </strong>back from injury. The Notre Dame commit missed nearly all of 2022 but could be the top middle in the state. Saline also has junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] </strong>back on the outside after she had her breakout sophomore season in 2022 with nearly 500 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] </strong>also returns for her senior season as another powerful option at the net. The Hornets will need to replace setter Laney Burns, which will be no small task. Burns provided a lot of leadership on the floor to go along with being an outstanding setter. The new setter should be aided by a solid defense, led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen']</strong>, who had nearly 600 digs in 2022. Laurio also was a much-improved defender at the end of 2022, and the team will now have the blocking dominance of Bohl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other top contenders</strong>: Forest Hills Northern, Gull Lake, Mercy, Rockford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->