D1 Preseason Title Poll: Top 5 Votes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week we put the question out to the people:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who will win the Division 1 state title in 2023?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems fitting that today marks the first practices for the new prep season, as here we are looking at which five teams got the most votes in our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/vote-for-who-will-win-the-d1-title-in-2023/">D1 preseason title poll</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>Hudsonville (39.73%)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A semifinalist in 2021 and a regional finalist in 2022, Hudsonville has been knocking at the door of a state championship in recent years. This year, the Eagles certainly seem like a top contender again. Led by one of the top outsides in the state, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz']</strong> (Central Michigan), Hudsonville is going to be able to bring some solid heat to the net. Setters <strong>Megan Beemer </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] </strong>are also back to help develop some new top hitters to compliment Swiercz. Also, Hudsonville could be one of the strongest defensive teams in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] </strong>(San Diego State) can make an argument as being the top libero in the state. She's also got experienced DS teammates like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153669' first='Hayley' last='Carr'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='184676' first='Ava' last='Ford'] </strong>by her side. Hudsonville on paper should be one of the top teams in the Grand Rapids area, which makes them one of the top D1 contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>Traverse City Central (28.64%)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A regional finalist in 2022, Traverse City Central definitely has held down Division 1 volleyball in the north and has to be viewed as a contender in 2023. This will be an experienced roster for the Trojans that has veteran leadership all around the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'] </strong>is a power arm that is coming off an All-State season in 2022. She's got a great compliment in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110306' first='Phoebe' last='Humphrey'] </strong>to give TC Central a dynamite 1-2 punch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156327' first='Marley' last='Richmond'] </strong>is a returning setter with a lot of experience, and the same goes for libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110283' first='Natalie' last='Bourdo']</strong>, who can hold down the back row and keep her team in-system against the top hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>Clarkston (6.08%)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being a point away from advancing to Battle Creek in 2022, Clarkston should be as motivated as any squad entering the 2023 season. The Wolves are going to bring a lot of experience and promise to the court this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] </strong>(George Washington) is part of a strong senior class for Clarkston. Cogan has as powerful a swing as anyone in the state and she will look to build on her improved play as a junior. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110309' first='Emery' last='Kuebler'] </strong>(Frostburg State) returns as a senior setter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] </strong>(Oakland) returns as a senior libero to provide great play and leadership at key positions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'] </strong>on the outside and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179732' first='Isabelle' last='Henry'] </strong>in the middle are returning juniors that can be consistent compliments to Cogan at the net. The Wolves also could bring in some freshmen talent this year, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong>. Smith was one of the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/gamechangers-from-the-michigan-freshman-showcase/">Gamechangers at our Freshman Showcase</a> last month. As a setter/hitter combo, Smith plays with the talent and maturity well above her freshman classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. <strong>Marian (5.59%)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-time defending state champs appear to have their toughest path to the title since this run started. But, make no mistake that the Mustangs are still likely to be a major factor in the title picture when all is said and done. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] </strong>(Cincinnati) returns for her junior season as a top 2025 prospect in the Midwest. The outside proved she can lead a team to a state title last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz'] </strong>is in for a bigger role offensively this fall and she showed flashes of what she can do as a junior outside. In the middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108790' first='Mckenzie' last='Swanson'] </strong>(Butler-basketball) is still a major presence at 6'3” and her younger sister <strong>Ella Swanson</strong> is the same height and poised for a breakout year as a sophomore. The same could be said for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti']</strong>, another 2026 prospect that is ready to step up for the Mustangs. At setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison']</strong> could be the one to step into the big shadow of the starting setter role as a sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock'] </strong>(Arizona) also transferred to Marian in the offseason, but may not be eligible this fall. If the 6'2” setter/outside can play, it's a huge boost for Marian's title hopes. Marian also is going to have a loaded 2027 class coming in, so don't be surprised if they have a breakout freshman in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. <strong>South Lyon East (3.28%)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, South Lyon East had to go up against Miss Volleyball in district play, which led to their exit. This fall, South Lyon East draws 2022 runner-up Northville for a district location. Not ideal, but the Cougars certainly won't be a team that will go down quietly in 2022. East is loaded up with hitting talent this year, including one of the strongest Class of 2025 groups in the state. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'] </strong>was one of our leading vote getters for <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/top-5-vote-getters-for-d1-player-of-the-year/">D1 Player of the Year</a> in the preseason. She's joined by middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] </strong>and outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261190' first='Makayla' last='Credit']</strong> as being ranked in our latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 Player Rankings</a>. East also has senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110280' first='Katie' last='Berry']</strong>, who is a polished all-around talent. Setters <strong>Katelyn Koch </strong>and <strong>Makenna MacDonald </strong>are also back, which means this offense is going to be fast and furious throughout 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->