D4’s Top Five Favorites Heading Into 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Typically a division that is reserved for previously established programs, D4 saw a first-time champion in Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart for the 2022 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The win for the Irish may have invigorated other D4 programs around the state to make a run at the powerhouses in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into 2023, there looks to be a nice mix of new and old when it comes to which teams should be top contenders for this year's title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Athens</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being up two sets in the D4 final and not coming home with the title has to have made for a long offseason for Athens. However, the Indians should be prepped for another strong year in 2023. Athens had a balanced offense last year behind four consistent finishers. Two graduated, but back are seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='297971' first='Kamryn' last='Parlin']</strong> and <strong>Piper Porter</strong>, who patrolled the middle in 2022, but could expand to the outside this fall. Athens will be challenged to also replace its setter, who did a great job of spreading the ball around. However, this team returns 10 players from last year's roster, so filling in the setting and defensive gaps shouldn't be too difficult.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Crystal Falls Forest Park</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forest Park looked a bit overwhelmed in its 2022 semifinal with eventual champion Sacred Heart, and for good reason. The Trojans had a roster that featured eight freshmen or sophomores. Getting to Battle Creek was likely a pleasant surprise, as CFFP had just three seniors on the roster. This year, the Trojans bring back a lot of experience and should be better prepared for a high-profile semifinal matchup. Leading hitters <strong>Ema Stepien </strong>on the outside and <strong>Leah Feldhausen </strong>are both back for their senior years, as is setter <strong>Charlie Larson</strong>. <strong>Ava Fischer </strong>showed promise as a freshman outside in 2022, as did middle <strong>Audrey Franz </strong>as a sophomore. Those two could be big additions this year. Defensively, CFFP did graduate its libero, but has some capable DS options that are ready to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Leland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264870,"width":222,"height":154,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/134-Fiona-Moord.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264870" width="222" height="154" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team that fell to the state champs in 2022 was Leland. The perennial D4 contender lost in four sets in the quarterfinal last fall. This year, this team will be senior-led and ready to make a charge at getting back to Battle Creek. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] </strong>is one of the top returning hitters in D4. She was First Team All-State as a 6'1” middle in 2022. She can make all the plays offensively and defensively. <strong>Kelsey Allen</strong> is another returning hitter for the Comets. She's approaching 6-foot and gives Leland a lot of size to work with at the net. Leland will need to find a new starting setter, but does bring back its All-State libero in senior <strong>Olive Ryder</strong> to keep the defense technically sound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lenawee Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team that spent most of 2022 atop the D4 rankings came up just shy of an appearance in Battle Creek. The Cougars could come back in 2023 even stronger. First Team All-State middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] </strong>is back to lead the team in 2023. The 6'1” senior hitter has a lot of range and agility and could be the dominant player in D4 this fall. She's got All-State setter <strong>Gabrielle Bryja </strong>back for her senior year as well. The two have a lot of chemistry already established. While graduating a talented outside, the Cougars still have seniors <strong>Sophie Samonek </strong>and <strong>Selah Clymer</strong> returning to help balance out the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's good news and there's bad news for the defending D4 champions entering 2023. The good news is the team graduated just three seniors from the 2022 roster. The bad news is those three were their top two hitters and one of their two setters. There's no question the Irish will have a challenge finding new offensive go-to players, but they still have back-to-back trips to Battle Creek to build off of. That should be carried onto the court by junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595955' first='Sophie' last='Hauck'] </strong>as well as senior libero <strong>Bridget Ruiz</strong>. Both can be inspirational leaders and guide SHA to success while new hitters develop. Senior middle <strong>Leah Smith</strong> was a contributing piece to the offense last year, as was junior outside <strong>Chelsea Lynch</strong>. They can expect bigger roles offensively this year to keep Sacred Heart in the title mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other top contenders</strong>: Battle Creek St. Philip, Mendon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->