2024 Prep Preview: OK Conference Green Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1124/register/michigan-freshman-showcase"><em>Michigan Freshman Showcase</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1136/register/michigan-stock-up-showcase"><em>Michigan Stock Up Showcase</em></a><em> are coming to Pontiac on Aug. 4. You can get $10 off your registration when you sign up by using code “EllisDig2024.” Be sure to register today.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OK Conference has made some shifts in division alignments for the 2024 season. The moves have made the OK-Green race look very interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the top teams in the state will battle it out for this crown in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mona Shores </strong>took the division title a year ago, but the conference looks much different this year with Jenison, Caledonia, Byron Center, Reeths-Puffer and Muskegon making up the five contenders look to unseat the defending champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sailors did graduate three All-Conference players, but will return one of their top players in outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224601' first='Grace' last='Allen'] </strong>(Northern Michigan). It also has defensive standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='400329' first='Izzy' last='Sturtevant'] </strong>back. These two provide a great leadership base. Allen is a well-rounded player that can make an impact offensively and defensively. Sturtevant is a veteran libero that can lock down the back row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490352' first='Kyli' last='Geoghan'] </strong>is another returning outside that also has a lot of defensive ability. The team will need to rely on that defensive play while it founds new offensive weapons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of defense, <strong>Byron Center </strong>will be hard to contend with defensively this year. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] </strong>has already proven herself as one of the best in the state and she's got the ability to carry the Bulldogs to success as is. She will be relied on heavily, as Byron Center graduated three All-Conference seniors from last fall, which means the offense has a lot of holes to fill. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288960' first='Reese' last='Lowe'] </strong>(Ferris State) is an All-Conference outside that is back. She's in line for a big year as she has impressed during club season and provides a lot of athleticism at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490375' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'] </strong>could be a breakout player in the middle. The sophomore shows a high ceiling and has displayed the ability to play at a fast pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":467684,"width":"215px","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/5/2023/10/Beast-2023-24.jpg?w=741" alt="" class="wp-image-467684" style="width:215px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jenison </strong>was a team that was able to turn some heads last year and pick up big wins in the OK Red, but consistency was an issue as it finished 7-7 in the division. The Wildcats still should be capable of being a title contender in 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] </strong>was a handful for opponents as a sophomore outside. She approached 600 kills and had over 500 digs in a breakout year. The junior will be the go-to player again this fall. She will be aided on the pins by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly']</strong>, a senior outside that put down over 330 kills in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'] </strong>showed a lot of promise as a 6-foot freshman middle. She hit nearly .300 with close to 200 kills and over 70 blocks. <strong>Rudy Maynard </strong>is back as a senior setter to run the offense. She's already got great chemistry with this trio. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] </strong>was a standout freshman libero that has a lot of big-match experience already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caledonia </strong>can't be looked past in 2024 either. Despite going 6-8 in the Red in 2023, this team returns its entire roster. That includes four hitters with at least 200 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] </strong>(South Alabama)is a well-rounded senior outside that will lead the way, but she's got impact players all around her. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds'] </strong>had over 260 kills and 400 digs as a freshman and has only gotten better. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231189' first='Josie' last='Noble'] </strong>(Wisconsin-Milwaukee) was one of the most disruptive middles last fall as a junior. The 6'2” Noble hit .300 and tallied 114 blocks. Senior setter <strong>Jess Maier </strong>won't need any time to gel with this group either. Caledonia should be able to hit the ground running offensively. It can do the same defensively with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523849' first='Avery' last='Seif'] </strong>returning in the back row. She had nearly 450 digs as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reeths-Puffer </strong>and <strong>Muskegon </strong>appear to be looking up at the rest of the competition, but should provide a challenge to anyone they face. <strong>Madison Snyder </strong>is a senior outside for Reeths-Puffer that returns after being named All-Conference in 2023. She may be able to lead the Rockets to some upsets throughout the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->