The Road to Kellogg Begins: Top Division 2 Contenders

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We may be on the cusp of opening day of the 2023 season, but it's never too early to get a peak at who the top dogs are. The road to Kellogg begins NOW!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season saw perennial powers stand tall and new faces emerge to the forefront. This year is looking to have a lot of shake-up throughout Divisions 1 through 4. We have a real fun season ahead of us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without further ado, let's check out the top guns of the Division 2 Volleyball game in Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lake Odessa Lakewood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 2 is full of perennial powers. Lake Odessa Lakewood is one of them. It is a rarity to find them anywhere else BUT Kellogg Arena in the third weekend of November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":166937,"width":139,"height":181,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/LW-8-Abby-Pickard.jpg?w=785" alt="" class="wp-image-166937" style="width:139px;height:181px" width="139" height="181" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it is a rarity, last year was one of those rare ones. By the skin of their teeth, dropping a 13-15 decider in the quarter final match up versus South Christian, Lakewood was nowhere to be seen in Battle Creek for the first time since 2015. With a big fire under their tails, Lakewood is on a mission to return to the homeland. And they return a shoe-in for a Miss Volleyball nomination L [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] (Western Michigan). Piercefield would surely love to cap off her career under Coach <strong>Cameron Rowland </strong>with a return to Battle Creek and a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The name of the game is the serve and pass. That was no problem for Lakewood last season and they return a bulk of that production from their first contact. They also return one of the top setters in the 2025 class, S [player_tooltip player_id='224597' first='Abby' last='Pickard']. Pickard is coming off of a really big club season with FaR Out, winning a national title with 18 Black and finishing top 5 at AAUs with 17 Black. Returning to bring some firepower is Sr OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500654' first='Alivia' last='Everitt']</strong>. Bringing some more balance to the first and second contacts is S/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226890' first='Emma' last='Duffy']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notre Dame Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notre Dame Prep is another perennial power in the Division 2 Volleyball landscape. It is not a post season in Kellogg Arena if the Fighting Irish aren't there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, much like Lakewood, last fall was one of those rare seasons for NDP. The last time there wasn't an Irish mob in Battle Creek was in 2016. Since then, Coach <strong>Betty Wroubel</strong> has added two more championships to her repertoire. This season is going to look much different than previous years. For example, for the first time in over <strong>SIX</strong> seasons, NDP will be a roster without a NCAA Division 1 bound libero. Last season graduated L<strong> Allison Berent </strong>(Alabama), prior to that, L <strong>Josie Bloom</strong> (VA Tech/Ball State) and L <strong>Olivia Kowalkowski </strong>(Georgia State). I'll be very intrigued to see who dons the off-colored jersey for the Irish this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":436659,"width":294,"height":193,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/Mya-Kattula-crop-1279x840-1689858761.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-436659" style="width:294px;height:193px" width="294" height="193" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='288955' first='Mya' last='Kattula']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Berent, NDP loses S <strong>Margo Sudzina </strong>(Central Oklahoma) and MB <strong>Grace Wenaas</strong> - Sudzina was an AVCA All-American and Wenaas led the entire state in hit percentage last season. Despite such losses, something about Coach Wrubel stands true, she will find a way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning to the 2023 season, Irish return S/OPP [player_tooltip player_id='288955' first='Mya' last='Kattula'], OH <strong>Bree Blakeslee</strong> and MB [player_tooltip player_id='261138' first='Delaney' last='Zielke']. The three of these players return combining for 793 kills from a season ago. They'll surely have to fill in the whole left by Wenaas' staggering 620 kills. Another question that remains too, will Kattula continue as a dual attacker and setter? Or will she be given the reigns to the complete offense? If Kattula runs the offense, this will mark the first season since the 2017 championship that NDP runs a 5-1 offense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Branch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From one powerhouse program to the next. Then to the next. Yes, North Branch rounds out the Big 3 powers of Division 2 Volleyball. The Broncos return to 2023 as the reigning state champions and will be on the hunt for a repeat. Will they pull it off?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259339,"width":187,"height":238,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/4-Hailey-Green.jpg?w=803" alt="" class="wp-image-259339" style="width:187px;height:238px" width="187" height="238" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, North Branch has ALL of the makings to be the shoe-in this season. They return a really strong core group of seniors, but they also lost a little bit more than they anticipated. Last season saw the Bronco have one departing senior, MB <strong>Natasha Bickel </strong>(Spring Arbor). That was supposed to be the only loss. Well, comes into the 2023 pre-season, North Branch now has more absence in the middle. Returning All-State MB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'] </strong>will NOT be returning to the team for her senior campaign. This makes things just a little more interesting. But nonetheless, North Branch remains a heavy favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the losses, North Branch returns a LOT of good back for one more round. Once a Fab Five is now a Fab Four that includes L [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'], S [player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw'], OPP [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] (Northwood) and OH [player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky'] (Ferris State). Green is one of the top 'bros in the entire state and a shoe-in for a Miss Volleyball nominee in a few weeks. Greschaw returns from a season ending injury in club to run the offense. Meanwhile Gyomory and Deshetsky look to capitalize on big club seasons to fill the gap left in the middle. NB also returns some youth with OH [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] to round out the trio of pins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Imlay City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Imlay City almost did the unthinkable last season. With conference rivals, North Branch, on the ropes, they nearly took down the monster in a five set thriller in districts. Can they capitalize on the growth?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":402449,"width":280,"height":186,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/4D1BEB18-5D73-4576-93CB-17BA7F9689BC.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-402449" style="width:280px;height:186px" width="280" height="186" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a combination of youth and veteran leadership last season, Imlay City was peaking and doing huge things towards the end of the 2022 season. Headed by former Michigan State All-American setter <strong>Rachel (Minarick) Van Dyk</strong>, Van Dyk is doing huge things for this developing program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a stud setter in her heyday, Van Dyk mentors a pair of Sophomore setters that made quick time making their presence known as freshmen. S/OPP [player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] and S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490335' first='Makayla' last='Bruman']</strong> return for another go-around. Keeping had a big club season at Michigan Elite and cemented herself as one of the top prospects in her class. Bruman, a three sport athlete for the Trojans, return to the volleyball courts with really good seasons in basketball and softball. Towards the end of last fall, Keeping was primarily attacking with Bruman running the show. I'll be curious to see how the offense runs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frankenmuth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had Frankenmuth as a given for a quarterfinal run last season. Mount Morris had other plans. Will this be the year that the Muth breaks through? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":170102,"width":136,"height":157,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/37-Audrey-Geer.jpg?w=885" alt="" class="wp-image-170102" style="width:136px;height:157px" width="136" height="157" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles return the mighty 1-2 punch of the Geer sisters. OH [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'] (Marshall) and OH [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] will both play huge roles this season as six rotation players for Muth. Both sisters had big time club seasons that saw Audrey lead her squad to a top ten finish in 17 Open while Madison was a part of one of the rated teams in the 15s age group. The two will man down an impeccable passing line with L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595969' first='Rosemary' last='Brenner']</strong>. Rounding out a trifecta of offense, MB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez'] </strong>gives much need depth on offense and spreads it with her presence in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankenmuth will run into a similar scenario from a season ago. They'll go against the gauntlet down the road with a rematch with Mount Morris in post season and potential showdowns with Orchard Lakes and North Branch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Others to Consider</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orchard Lake Sr. Mary's - Mount Morris - Detroit Country Day - Lake Fenton</strong> <strong>- Grand Rapids Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding to the post-season projection madness. Let's take a look at some more potential players in the Division 2 race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off with new kids on the block Orchard Lake St. Mary's, this team has a lot of potential to join the Big 3 as a perennial power. This group is led by their defense, all headed by one of the best in the 2026 class, [player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin']. She does a little bit of everything and controls the pass and defense. Martin is surrounding by a great cast of attackers that will surely do some big things this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like we touched upon in Frankenmuth's preview, last season was Mount Morris' first ever quarterfinal appearance. This comes as a shock to many who follow MHSAA Volleyball. Mount Morris is very much as much of a storied program as its Division 2 counterparts. They return a strong core to this season including OH <strong>Blair WIlson</strong> and L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156297' first='Ava' last='Freeman']</strong>. Could the Panthers capitalize on last season's fun and breakthrough to Kellogg?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":411584,"width":226,"height":151,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC09113.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411584" style="width:226px;height:151px" width="226" height="151" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'], [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detroit Country Day is another one of those potential programs to make the Big 3, a Fab Four. Last season was a real exciting one for DCD, towards the end of the regular season, they were looking to be the favorites for a big post season run. Returning to this fall, DCD looks a bit different without MB <strong>Laurece Abraham</strong> (Yale) and S <strong>Paige Elliot </strong>(Macomb CC). They bring back MB [player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] (Colorado) and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='110293' first='Mia' last='Eickholdt'] - Will they be able to carry this team to the promise land?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Fenton is another emerging D2 program that could make some serious noise, if not this year, in the next few. They're young but growing in talent and experience. Last year they debuted a pair of freshman, OPP/S [player_tooltip player_id='226895' first='Jillian' last='Ferrill'] and L [player_tooltip player_id='226913' first='Abbigayl' last='Sells']. The two made quick time in creating a name for themselves. With their rookie season under their belt, could these two lead Lake Fenton to Battle Creek?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, we talk about the Big 3, there could be an argument for Grand Rapids Christian to slide in amongst them to make it a Fab Four. After all, they're one of the few teams to win three straight state titles and a semifinal run from 2018 to 2021. This program has a lot of youth to their program this season with So L [player_tooltip player_id='226874' first='Anwen' last='Amash'] leading the charge. Do we see a resurgence of GR Christian in 2023?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->