Dark Horses Entering the Division 1 Post-Season

<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h5>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code <strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong> for $$ off!</em></h5>   <p>–</p>   <p>How has the time gone THAT FAST?!</p>   <p>It's one of the best times of the year, post-season is right around the corner! If these past few months have been of any indication, we are in for one wild ride to get to Kellogg Arena.</p>   <p>The volleyball in Michigan has become second to none. With the powerhouses like Mercy and Northville reigning amongst the top, new faces like Rockford, Forest Hills Northern, and Utica Eisenhower have stepped into the arena. The Division 1 race is going to be crazy. Match-ups and rematches set up to be all-time classics and many records to be broken.</p>   <p>With only a week away until the first whistle of the 2024 post-season, let's break down all of the madness that is to ensue with the MHSAA Division 1 race. Who are the dark horses on the Road to Kellogg in D1?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marian</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC02854.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-705745" style="width:354px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</figcaption></figure>   <p>It's hard to say that this team is a dark horse. The Mustangs have won 3 of the last 4 championships, all coming consecutively from 2020-2022. They fell short to their catholic league rival Mercy in the quarters last year. They have the coaching and the depth on the bench to make the push, but have had an otherwise up and down season thus far.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>The Mustangs have gone through a variety of line ups throughout the season due to one thing or another. However, a trio of players have found themselves at the forefront throughout it all. You can't talk about Marian without talking about their Miss Volleyball finalist and, now, face of the program, [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] (Cincinnati). Busignani leads the Mustangs on the offensive front with over 4 kills per set hitting over .300 on the season. At the net, or through the back row, this player takes on a bulk of the offensive looks and does well with her opportunities.</p>   <p>Alongside Busignani, a pair of underclassman have cemented themselves as key players. These two would be [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] on the right side and [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] in the libero jersey. Smith is no stranger to the Marian program after her freshman season last year. However, Smith is now, not only much more involved in the offense but the back row play as well. She's embraced the load of six rotations and has seen her game skyrocket.</p>   <p>For Pelon, she has become a freshman phenom. In her first year as a starter in this program, she has put up some impressive numbers. She leads her herd with over 370 digs and 64 aces on the season. She has such an impressive range in the back court, she leads Marian in digs by over 100 to the next highest.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins/Losses</h4>   <p>Marian enters the fold with a record of 40-7. Nearly half of these losses have come at the hands of their Catholic League rival, Mercy. They've also found difficulty with Utica Eisenhower, which is a team that owns 2 wins on the Mustangs. Both Ike and Mercy will be teams that Marian sees deep down the road, potentially in the quarter and semi finals respectively. </p>   <p>In the wins column, Marian has recently took on some impressive wins that include the likes of Jenison and Rockford at the recent East Vs. West Showdown in Lowell.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>What line up steps onto the court? </strong>Mostly due to injuries throughout the season, Marian has always had a different look to them throughout periods. They are equipped with a deep, deep bench of talent. So, the possibilities are truly endless. The Stangs have recently come into what seems to be their best play of the season and that includes [player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock'] (Arizona) swinging on the pins and finding an insane amount of success.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northview</h2>   <p>If you would've said that this team turned out to be one of the most dangerous teams in 2024, let alone spend a majority of it ranked within the top 10 of the Division, I may have questioned you. Not without it's own merit, this program has done some incredible things this season. They're more than deserving of all that they've done and all that they have yet to possibly do. Northview is a program that is not perennially in the conversation. Maybe that's changing? </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732260' first='Vanessa' last='Walker']</strong> has become a true revelation for Northview. A 6'0 senior setter with a lot of spice, Walker can do a lot more than just throw the ball around. Between her scrappy defense, to her strong net presence, she brings a lot of dynamic play onto the court.</p>   <p>Behind her, [player_tooltip player_id='490351' first='Quinn' last='Hanna'] has been another one of those players that have really bursted onto the scene quite nicely. She leads this team's relentless approach to the defense. When she is all in, everyone is all in. No ball is dropping on their side of the court.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins/Losses</h4>   <p>Northview comes in with a 28-8 record on the season. Hailing out of the OK Conference on the west side, alongside some pretty marquee tournament appearances, Northview has done themselves quite well preparing for this time of year. With losses to teams like Hudsonville and Northville, the Wildcats also have wins over the likes of Marian, Portage Northern and South Christian.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Is this team ready to perform in the Big Moments?</strong> This season has been one unlike any other before. Northview has really bursted on to the scene and has come alive. However, when things get down to the wire and its do or go home, a lot of experience can come into play. Despite this, like we saw in the win against Marian, this team can throw caution to the wind and really give it to the top teams.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jenison</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/08/DSC08239.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-611967" style="width:359px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Last season, this team put a lot of people on high alert. They were dangerous. Fast forward to this fall, not only were they still dangerous, but Jenison was winning at a much more consistent level. They're quipped with relentless defense and steady offense. They are the kind of team you cannot take lightly when you see them across the net.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>This team has one of the most difficult trifectas in Michigan. Whether it is [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield'] (Eastern Tennessee), [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] (Ferris State) or if it is [player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson']. Any option is a sure way to secure a quick point. The trio account for nearly 70% of Jenison's offense and a huge chunk of the defense as well. </p>   <p>Chatfield acts as the leader for the group. In every front of the word, she leads the Wildcats offensively with nearly 4 kills per set to go along with nearly 4 digs per set. Anywhere on the court, when the rally goes into deep territory, find Chatfield. </p>   <p>For Kelly and Bush-Nelson, these two combine for over 4 kills and over a block per set. Kelly has seen time in both the middle and the right pin and can do so much damage in either front. Similarly for Bush-Nelson, a middle, traditionally, she can also do a real frightening job swinging on the pins in reception.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins/Losses</h4>   <p>With a record of 33-7-2, Jenison has been on a real nice streak full of big wins as of late. Against potential match-ups that they'll see down the line in the post-season, Jenison has several wins over the likes of Rockford, Mona Shores and Caledonia. They do come with a few key losses to the likes of Marian and Forest Hills Northern as well. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Weathering the Storm.</strong> The west side of Michigan, more specifically the west side of the MHSAA bracket, is one tough place to play. Off of the bat, Jenison will have to take on a tough Hudsonville squad in the district rounds. From there, if the Wildcats win out, they'll go onto see the likes Grand Haven/Mona Shores and then a Forest Hills Northern or Rockford/Northview in the regional rounds. If they can weather throughout the regionals, Jenison could find themselves in Battle Creek.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bedford</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02192.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-696347" style="width:363px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kaylin Schroeder</figcaption></figure>   <p>Bedford has long been a perennial force within all of Michigan Volleyball. However, for awhile up until last season, the Kicking Mules were pretty quiet. This included an unprecedented upset in the district rounds in 2022. 2023, Bedford found lightning in the bottle with their stellar 2025 class and they are surely looking to make some more waves before leaving this historic program.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>Bedford's senior class is one of the toughest you can come across in Division 1. With Miss Volleyball nominee, Victoria Gray (Indiana) leading the way, she's also accompanied by Alivia Brown (Bowling Green) and Kaylin Schroeder (Eastern Michigan). Between these three, they truly encompass about the entire court. </p>   <p>Gray handles the net duties with both her offensive and blocking prowess. Brown is the best man in the ball control department. While she can also put it down with the best of them, her MO is truly on her first contact and defensive touches in all six rotations. As for Schroeder, she is the connection between it all. One of the toughest setters to come across due to her scrappy nature and ability to take over matches, she acts as strong glue to the Mules.</p>   <p>Alongside the trio of senior leaders, Lucy Monahan is another key piece, and otherwise instrumental one to this team's success. While Gray has been seen spending most of the time on the left pin, this has allowed Monahan to really shine in the middle. She's the next man up when it comes to finding in the offense and she's leading Bedford in both hitting efficiency and blocking.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>This is a much different crew than it has been in seasons past. Last year saw Bedford go for a 62-4 record. In comparison to now, this program has a record of only 33-5. While the quantity of games have gone down, the quality may be the best that the program has ever seen. They don't go very long without seeing a top ranked opponent in one of the top 3 divisions. The four losses all come at the hands of ranked opponents outside of Saline, however, half of the losses have come without Gray in the line up.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Will Gray be back to lead the Mules to Kellogg? </strong>If you haven't noticed, for a huge chunk of the season, Bedford has been without their Miss Volleyball candidate, Victoria Gray. Struggling with a nagging injury, Gray has been in and out. Most recently, she has been out of the line up ever since the Beast of the East tournament where she had to bow out early. </p>   <p>For the hopefuls at Bedford, you would hope that these past three weeks or so have given Gray the opportunity to rest up for the big dance. She could even maybe push her rest another until the regional finals due to weaker competition. Once you hit the sweet sixteen though, you get a rival in Saline and Mercy in the Elite 8. To kick their way through both programs, Gray will have to be on the court, firing on all cylinders.</p>