2024 Prep Preview: KLAA West Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kensington Lakes Activities Association has an impressive crop of teams through two divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The KLAA West is particularly strong, as it features a handful of teams that have produced top contenders in Division 1 on a regular basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2023, the conference race was quite heated and that should be no different in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northville </strong>has sat atop the division the last few years while making trips to Battle Creek in two consecutive seasons. The Mustangs are definitely going to be among the top contenders again this season. Northville has a veteran squad, led by three seniors that are going on to play at the Division 1 college level next year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>(Illinois State) is one of the top setters in the state and looks in complete control running this Mustang offense. She has sisters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] </strong>(Oakland) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] </strong>(Marist) back to lead the attack on the outside. The two combined for nearly 900 kills in 2023 and were the two kill leaders for the Mustangs. They also were a big part of the defensive effort. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'] </strong>is also back as a right-side option. She really turned her game up a level toward the end of 2023. Defense could be a question for the Mustangs in 2024. The team lost imposing middle Avry Nelson, as well as top libero/DS options, Ashlee Gnau and Greta McKee. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] </strong>looks ready to take on that lead defensive role, but the depth still takes a big hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brighton </strong>was a veteran squad in 2023 after dealing with a lot of injuries in previous years. It allowed the Bulldogs to finish second in the West. This year's team is likely to rely heavily on a strong junior and sophomore class to lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226884' first='Faith' last='Cullen'] </strong>is a junior outside that is likely to take on a bigger role while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman'] </strong>is one of the most promising sophomore middles in the state. The 6'3” Ockerman has the ability to take over a match with her length at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442968' first='Amelia' last='Vogelheim'] </strong>is a sophomore DS that could be in line for a breakout season this fall. She shows a lot of high-level instincts on the floor. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'] </strong>and junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523816' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'] </strong>also are in line for bigger roles and give the Bulldogs a lot of balance around the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":580989,"width":"263px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/Grace-Cooney.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-580989" style="width:263px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261152' first='Grace' last='Cooney']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hartland </strong>is coming off its first district championship in many years, so the Eagles are eager to build off that big milestone in 2024. The team graduated a number of key players, but still bring back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261152' first='Grace' last='Cooney'] </strong>(Oakland), a senior middle that finishes at a high rate and disrupts a lot of opposing attacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490381' first='Caylin' last='Lindsay'] </strong>is a sophomore outside with a lot of promise. She started to get more comfortable with the pace of varsity play at the end of 2023 and looks primed to be a lead hitter for the Eagles in 2024. The Eagles will have to find a new starting setter and libero, but the offense should be able to shoulder the load in the early stages of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Novi </strong>is a program accustomed to success. It held down the KLAA for years and isn't far removed from three consecutive state championship. The Wildcats were relatively young last year, which could bode well for 2024. This team has a lot of experience coming back. Leading the way is 6-foot sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471313' first='Nellie' last='Alves']</strong>. Last year was a trial by fire for the young setter, but that likely means she's going to come fast out of the gate this fall. She shouldn't be lacking in confidence and already has a lot of chemistry with her hitters. Senior outside <strong>Gracie Hoener</strong> and senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288949' first='Isabelle' last='Earley']</strong> can hammer the ball and will allow Alves to run a fast offense. Senior <strong>Cece Regoli</strong> was a dig machine for Novi last fall and leads a deep group of defenders that includes senior <strong>Mae Griffore </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226937' first='Mallory' last='Stoy']</strong>. The Wildcats should definitely be looking to give Northville a run for its money in the conference race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howell, Plymouth, Salem </strong>and <strong>Canton </strong>finished in the bottom half of the division a year ago. All four have work to do to get into this competitive top half, but there is still some notable talent amongst the group. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196766' first='Tara' last='Creekmore'] </strong>is a strong 6-foot outside for Plymouth that will be able to lead her team to some upsets when she gets rolling. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261122' first='Alyssa' last='Jasman'] </strong>is a hard-working defender for Canton that will be ready to take on these big hitters in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->