Looking Ahead: Top D4 Teams Coming Into 2024
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Division 4 will have a clear frontrunner for the state title in 2024, with the defending champions returning most of their roster. Still, there will be some perennial contenders looking to challenge them next fall. Here’s the five teams that…
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Continue ReadingDivision 4 will have a clear frontrunner for the state title in 2024, with the defending champions returning most of their roster.
Still, there will be some perennial contenders looking to challenge them next fall.
Here’s the five teams that should be among the top title contenders in D4 for 2024.
Crystal Falls Forest Park
The Trojans have made back-to-back trips to Battle Creek for the D4 semifinals and it’s definitely not out of the question that they will return for a third straight season in 2024. CFFP loses some big pieces, especially on offense, but the Trojans still have some hitters they can turn to for bigger roles next fall. Ava Fischer leads that list. The sophomore outside broke out in 2023 and she has the ability to impact the game in all phases. Middle Ellie Ayers could see a big jump up in 2024 as well. The 6-footer grew her game a lot last fall and she has shown that she can be a dominant force at the net with her attacks and blocking ability. Elise Williams will be a returning/hitter option for CFFP, while Audrey Franz returns as the team’s libero. There could be some early bumps in the road, but I expect this team to be playing at a very high level again come the postseason.
Everest Collegiate
The 2023 Cinderella champs won’t be able to catch anyone by surprise in 2024, but the Mountaineers may not need to. They are going to be very talented again, as they had just one senior on their championship roster. The rest of D4 will have trouble matching the 1-2 punch CEC will have on the outside of Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley 6'0" | OH Everest Collegiate | 2025 State MI and Madelyn Krappmann Madelyn Krappmann 5'10" | OH Everest Collegiate | 2025 State MI . Both have well-rounded games and can really bring the power. Addison Pearce stepped up late in the season as well in the middle. The 6-footer will be back for her senior year to round out the attack. Erica Walker didn’t have any setting experience prior to 2023, but she could have fooled us. She had great chemistry with her hitters and should continue to take big steps in her game with each passing week. Defensively, Samantha Pietras was a high-energy libero that will also return for her senior year. CEC will have plenty of confidence and plenty of big-match experience to rely on as it tries to defend its crown in 2024.
Mendon
The Hornets are always going to be a program to keep an eye on in Division 4 and that will be no different in 2024. Mendon will graduate only three from the 2023 roster, leaving them with a lot of returning experience next fall. Jadyn Samson Jadyn Samson 5'4" | DS/L Mendon | 2026 State MI proved to be one of the top liberos in Division 4 as a sophomore. It will be interesting to see how much she improves going into her junior year. Kayla Wenzel will return as a senior setter in 2024, that should help make up for some of the hitting losses. One returning hitter is Gracie Schultz Gracie Schultz 5'6" | OH Mendon | 2026 State MI , who had a leading role in the offense has a sophomore. Mendon will have to find some new middles to work into the lineup, but the Hornets have churned out talented players year after year and should find what they need to be a force in D4 once again.
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake
The Lakers weren’t far removed from reaching Battle Creek in 2023, losing in the quarterfinal. Next fall, it could be their time to take a step forward. OLL is going to have one of the top players in the division in outside Nora Proos. Proos was outstanding as a junior in 2023, putting up over 400 kills and 500 digs. She’s someone that gives her all on the court and that is going to take her team a long way. Rachel Kalamaros and Jojo Marsh were reliable finishers as the net that will be back as well. They already have chemistry with returning setter Aislin Sargent, who put up over 1,000 assists as a junior. Ellie Howard will return to lead the defensive effort with Proos. OLL will have five players returning that had at least 200 digs in the 2023 season.
Tri-Unity Christian
Sometimes in Division 4, one dominant player can lead you a long way. The Defenders will graduate a handful of players from their 2023 team, but one that is coming back could contend for Player of the Year. That is Ella Deklyen, an outside hitter that has had unstoppable stretches. She’s got a great mixture of shots and swings that most D4 defenses can’t contain. Natalia Eerdmans will be back as an outside/setter option that has provided a great compliment to Deklyen on the outside. Lucy Bredemeier is also a capable option at the net that will give the Defenders a solid offense to work with to open 2024.