D2 Finals Underclassmen Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finding underclassmen was a little bit harder to come by in the Division 2 finals at Kellogg Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runner-up Grand Rapids West Catholic had a roster entirely of juniors and seniors, while the state champion was largely a senior-led team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, there were some freshmen and sophomores in the mix to be excited about in the years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Michigan Top 250 Expo for Class of 2024-27 prospects on Dec. 9 in Pontiac.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/914/register/michigan-top-250-expo"><em>Click here</em></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for the event. You can use promo code “EllisExpo2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":481765,"width":"261px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/8-Aubree-Deshetsky-4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-481765" style="width:261px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state champions were a senior-dominant team in 2023, yet one of their most productive players was still a sophomore. Outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</strong> has been the added piece that really took the Broncos to another level of play the last two years. In Saturday's D2 final, Deshetsky tallied a team-high 14 kills and 19 digs to go along with three aces. In the semifinal with Grand Rapids Christian, Deshetsky had 11 kills, 11 digs and two aces. She's going to be the focal piece of the program going forward and has really benefitted from these last two years playing with such a talented group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Rapids Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles had a pretty experienced squad, but added a big piece this year in freshman outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong>. She was the offensive leader throughout the season and had an impressive showing in the semifinal with North Branch. Goodyke put down a match-high 16 kills while hitting .310 against the Broncos. She's definitely a proven finisher that is only going to get better in the seasons to come. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490356' first='Mallory' last='Bremer'] </strong>is a sophomore DS that saw action in all three sets of the semifinal. She came through with six digs and two aces in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Milan</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":481772,"width":"198px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/6-Madison-Slack-3.jpg?w=915" alt="" class="wp-image-481772" style="width:198px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Madison Slack</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milan was a young roster with just three seniors and five sophomores part of the mix. Sophomore <strong>Madison Slack </strong>ran the offense for the Big Reds. The 6-foot setter had 18 assists, six digs, two kills and one ace. Milan is going to have a good foundation to build on with Slack around for another two years of play. <strong>Aubree Higgins </strong>was a sophomore DS/RS that was a consistent part of the Milan offense in the semifinal with Grand Rapids West Catholic. She had four kills and a dig in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->