Five Dark Horses In D1 For 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 1 has a lot of powerful programs that have been in the hunt for a state title year-over-year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We took at look at the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/06/d1s-five-top-contenders-for-2023/">five teams that seem most likely to contend</a> for the crown in 2023, but now we look at five teams that may just have the right recipe to surprise people and put themselves in the title mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five will bring back a lot of experience, and won't be lacking in motivation to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kicking Mules were disappointed to make an exit in the 2022 districts, but that should provide plenty of motivation throughout the 2023 season with a talented roster. The Bedford offense will be able to compete with the best of the best in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261174' first='Kaylin' last='Schroeder'] </strong>is back as a junior setter to feed the ball to a group that hit nearly .300 as a team in 2022. The Mules return four of the top five hitters from 2022. <strong>Macy Madalinski</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443797' first='Jaelyn' last='Hall'] </strong>handle the outside, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] </strong>and <strong>Kadie Morse</strong> take the middle. Morse stands 6'3” and hit .356 in 2022, while Gray is 6'2” and hit an eye-popping .500. Gray's blocking (172 blocks) will help the Mules replace their starting libero. But if this team can fill that void quickly, the sky is the limit for them. Both senior <strong>Mya Krohn </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown']</strong> were big defensive contributors last year and look to be ready to step up this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Haven isn't a big reach for a sleeper, as the Bucs are always a solid team to contend with. District champs in 2022, Grand Haven will bring back a lot of offensive firepower once again in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'] </strong>can go toe-to-toe with any outside in the state, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156333' first='Jillian' last='Swierbut'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110326' first='Melina' last='Teunis'] </strong>will also be a handful to deal with at the net. Both <strong>Leah Montgomery </strong>and <strong>Sara Weber </strong>return as setters as well, meaning the Bucs offense should continue to be relentless. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka']</strong> is back for her senior year and the All-State libero can captain the floor as well as anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mattawan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are another steady program in D1, but haven't been able to make that breakout run to Battle Creek. Last year it dropped a five-set district final to Gull Lake, who went on to reach the quarterfinals. This year Mattawan has to fill a void with Cece Pelak graduating, but the Wildcats still return four All-Region players in 2023. <strong>Kendal Coon</strong> was a great compliment to Pelak on the outside and now will have the chance to take over as the primary hitter. <strong>Macey Brown </strong>showed a lot of promise as a freshman outside as well and could be in line for a breakout sophomore year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487136' first='Kylie' last='Anderson']</strong> returns as the junior setter to keep the offense running smooth, while senior <strong>Anya Ciesielski </strong>is back at libero to be the on-floor leader and lead the defensive charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Portage Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies also had a tough matchup with Gull Lake in last year's postseason, falling in a four-set regional semifinal. This year's Portage Northern team should be able to come back even stronger behind a trio of returning All-Region talents. Leading the way are a pair of middles in senior <strong>Kiera Sims</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes']</strong>. They provide a lot of athleticism at the net and are also joined by 6'1” <strong>Hanna Garrison</strong>, who gives the Huskies plenty of length. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] </strong>returns as a junior after really raising her game in her sophomore season. She should have this powerful lineup clicking early in the fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288963' first='Marley' last='Onken'] </strong>is a returning DS as well, to help strengthen the defense and keep this talented offense in-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Traverse City Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans were a regional finalist in 2022 before running into a solid Rockford program. Heading into 2023, there's a lot to like about TC Central. The Trojans will return the majority of their roster, led by All-State HM middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner']</strong> and All-Region selections in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110283' first='Natalie' last='Bourdo'] </strong>and MH/OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110306' first='Phoebe' last='Humphrey']</strong>. The Trojans also bring back junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156327' first='Marley' last='Richmond']</strong>. With a great defensive foundation, and a setter back to go along with a pair of big hitters, TC Central should be a handful in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Contenders: </strong>Mt. Pleasant, Petoskey, South Lyon East, Stevenson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->