East vs. West Showdown: West Team Recaps

Thursday saw a great new event at the Legacy Center Complex in Brighton, as five top teams from the West side of the state took on four elite teams from the East side.   The East vs. West showdown had five sets of matchups, with each East team taking on each West. It gave these squads the rare opportunity to meet up during the regular season.   All five teams from the West were able to collect at least one victory, while one team set itself apart from the rest of the field. Here's some thoughts on the five West squads from Thursday.   (<a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/east-vs-west-showdown-east-team-recaps/">Our link to the East team recaps</a>)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudsonville</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6477.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-450374" style="width:287px;height:206px" width="287" height="206" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']</figcaption></figure>   Hudsonville made a case for being the top-ranked team in Division 1 to start the season with a sweep of the East squads. That included sweeps of North Branch, Saline and Grosse Pointe South, while grinding out a hard three-set win over Northville to open the day.   The Eagles had dominant stretches, but their ability to come away with wins in tight sets was what was really impressive. They showed a lot of poise and were able to have multiple players rise to the occasion in pressure situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] (42 kills, 21 digs) played as well as anyone at the event. She's got the power, but her high court IQ is what really allowed her to finish point after point. Swiercz has matured into a very well-rounded player that can beat you in multiple ways.   This year's Hudsonville team could be very dangerous though, because it's a total team effort. They have some nice compliments to Swiercz at the net. Maislin Joldersma (29 kills), [player_tooltip player_id='226939' first='Maggie' last='Szlachcic'] (12 kills) and Dior Hoogenstyn (11 kills) all showed some solid explosiveness at the net and each put down some highlight-reel kills. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='502207' first='Lauren' last='Bower'] also held her own against some talented middles on the East.   Megan Beemer (63 assists) made all the sets and spread the ball around effectively, while also making an impact defensively and from the service line (eight aces). [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] (50 digs, 10 aces) did her usual thing and was as good as any libero on the day. She makes a lot of difficult plays look easy.   It's a long season ahead, but Hudsonville was able to make a big statement on Thursday that they are one of the top teams in the state.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_5221.jpg?w=796" alt="" class="wp-image-450305" style="width:201px;height:258px" width="201" height="258" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson']</figcaption></figure>   A D1 semifinalist from a year ago, Forest Hills Northern brings a lot of weapons to the court again in 2023. The Huskies went 2-2 on the day with wins over Saline and GP South, while falling to North Branch in two and Northville in three.   Northern does a good job of bringing a little something different to the court. Their offensive game plan and attack can be tough to pin down and anticipate. They mix in a variety of hitters and shot angles.   Interestingly, we focus a lot on [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] for this squad. That's for good reason, as the senior outside and senior middle are two of the state's best. But, they are the lone seniors on this roster. Northern has four sophomores and two freshmen in the mix this year, which is likely to lead some growing pains. However, the ceiling is still quite high.   Erickson looked solid all-around and her defensive effort really stood out on Thursday. She's putting a lot into her back-row play and keeping FHN in points. Hopewell continues to add to her game as well and still brings a big presence offensively and defensively.   Sophomore RS Madalin Hersman and freshman outside [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] look to be consistent contributors offensively to compliment the two seniors. Each showed good power and the ability to finish through blocks. Setter Lexi Stotenbur, a sophomore, showed a lot of promise as well, as she was able to put a lot of good feeds to her hitters during the event and help the young hitters develop.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_5929.jpg?w=970" alt="" class="wp-image-450393" style="width:237px;height:250px" width="237" height="250" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</figcaption></figure>   The Rams are another relatively young team, with just two seniors on this year's roster. On Thursday, Rockford had some down stretches, but still managed to go 2-2. The Rams bested GP South and Saline while falling to North Branch and Northville.   This was a chance to see standout sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'], and she didn't disappoint (27 kills, 22 digs). Hosford is stepping into an outside hitter role for the Rams this year. She shows a lot of determination defensively and is still maintaining her power and high finishing rate offensively (.353). Hosford should continue to build on her dynamite freshman year.   [player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] (20 kills) is a junior outside that is going to give Rockford a mighty 1-2 punch on the pins. She's 6'1” and has a lot of hang time. Visser glides to the net and generates big power that is tough to block. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] (26 kills) also turned some heads on the outside. She looks like another strong underclassmen for the Rams.   [player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] and Ashley Williams (76 assists combined) handle the setting duties and get a lot of good swings out of their hitters. That should keep the Rockford offense one of the toughest in the state.   The key going forward for the Rams will be being able to find ways to win the close sets. They play one of the toughest schedules in the state, so a lot of matches are going to come down to a few points here and there.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Haven</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6369.jpg?w=939" alt="" class="wp-image-450379" style="width:242px;height:264px" width="242" height="264" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']</figcaption></figure>   The Buccaneers lived up to expectations that they can be a Division 1 player this year. While going just 1-3 with a win over GP South, Grand Haven had three sets lost by two points. That included an entertaining contest with Saline, which it fell 26-24, 30-28.   Grand Haven has seven seniors on the roster and they show good composure most of the way. The key for the Bucs are mixing in some of this exciting young talent it has available.   [player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'] had her highlight moments as a senior outside. She's got a lot of energy in the tank and looked ready to prove herself amongst some of the top outsides in the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='110326' first='Melina' last='Teunis'] also showed she can be a versatile player in the middle or the OPP.   The young hitters that showed a high ceiling are sophomore Nadia Prieditis and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']. Woiteshek stands 6'3” and is hard to miss. She's an imposing presence that has a lot of athleticism for her size and can play well above the net. She's also already looking like a consistent finisher in pressure situations. Prieditis brings more of an all-around game for Grand Haven, providing added stability in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'] is already a proven floor general as a senior libero. Along with her usual strong play in the back row, she was also putting on some service rallies to give the Bucs a needed momentum swing.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jenison</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC_6232.jpg?w=884" alt="" class="wp-image-450351" style="width:239px;height:277px" width="239" height="277" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson']</figcaption></figure>   The Wildcats went 1-3 on the day with a win over GP South, but they did go three sets in all three losses. It really speaks to the team's potential and how close it may be to turning the corner and being an elite contender in Division 1.   Sophomore outside [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] got a chance to showcase her talents against some of the best in the state and she definitely proved she can hang with them all. There's still a high ceiling for her game, but Chatfield looks very comfortable and confident on the floor in pressure situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] is a natural leader on the floor as well. The senior outside can do anything on the court and make it look relatively effortless. Johnson has the power, the technique and the court IQ to be an All-State player this year for Jenison.   I also like the middles that Jenison has to work with. [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] as a junior and senior Lydia Uganski are active at the net and play loose. They've got the instincts needed to be difference-makers defensively, but then can dial up a fastball on the attack.   If Jenison can find ways to win those tight sets consistently, it's going to build a lot of confidence for the squad, which is all a team needs to make a run come October.

Thursday saw a great new event at the Legacy Center Complex in Brighton, as five top teams from the West side of the state took on four elite teams from the East side.