Dark Horses Entering the Division 2 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. Division 2 has been one of the most interesting to watch develop over the course of the season. For once, North Branch and NDP aren't the untouchables of the game. While still a formidable opponent, and teams you can't take lightly. It seems that there's a slew of new kids on the block ready to make some changes. </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 2 race. Who are the dark horses on the Road to Kellogg in D2?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Branch</h2>   <p>This one, I went back and forth on. Is North Branch still very much in contention for another title run or are they more of a dark horse this fall? I mean, the Broncos are coming off of two consecutive state titles, but also lost just about their entire line up due to graduation. This team has done intriguingly well for what they have on the bench. This is a program powered on tradition and culture, something that not many can say. Even in years past where they have been in similar situations of under-dog roles, the Broncos have used this to power them through november.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>Despite losing a large chunk of production in not only their offense, but their defense as well; North Branch has a pair of players that have managed to bridge the gap. Both [player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'] (Wofford) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732246' first='Ella' last='Swoish']</strong> have been the Bronco's glue to the entire season. Being the sole returners from the 2023 championship squad, these two know what it needs to step up in big moments. And step up, these two have really done.</p>   <p>Deshetsky and Swoish have seen huge jumps in their load from a season ago for obvious reason. But, respectfully, neither have seemed to have slowed down, they've just gotten better. Deshetsky currently ranks second in the state for total kills on the season. Second to only, [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'], the newest MHSAA Career Kills record holder, by 30 kills. In her junior season alone, Deshetsky has doubled her career kills log from 796 to 1602. For Swoish, she, too, has more than doubled her stock. Within her first three seasons with NBVB, she had amassed 254 digs. In her senior season, and first at starting libero, she's racked up 533.</p>   <p>Together, these two have become quite the tandem to be messed with. Entering the season, I really wasn't sure how this team would perform throughout the season given the reliance on these two players. However, the two have taken on the task and keep North Branch a VERY viable prospect to go on another deep run in the tournament.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>At the beginning of the season, if you asked me what this season would look like for the Broncos, I would've predicted a rougher look than years past. However, despite loosing so much, North Branch has managed to still put up big numbers. With a 42-10-3 record, the Bronco's still relied upon a tough schedule and come out on the better end of things.</p>   <p>Of those ten losses, all of them would come at the hands of top 10 ranked opponents throughout the top three divisions. Over half of them were from teams within the top 5 of Division 1-3. For their wins, they still have a pretty nifty column. Of their fellow D2 squads, the Broncos have downed the likes of Garber, Notre Dame Prep and Lake Fenton with ease. They also have a season split with conference rival, and current district rival, No. 5 Imlay City. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tecumseh</h2>   <p>This is a team that really have seemed to come out of nowhere. We've spoke about it a few times, but this region of the mitten is a very unknown part. Some great talent pops up throughout the years, but never do they typically have all the pieces in one spot to do some hard damage. However, Tecumseh this year has seemed to have everything in the cookie jar. With some dynamic pieces on the court alongside their mysterious edge, the Indians can be a real threat down the stretch.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>A huge factor of the emergence of Tecumseh this year is because of the emergence of trio of players. Between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726472' first='Emma' last='Eldred']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732284' first='Maddy' last='VanBlack']</strong> on the pins and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721446' first='Alli' last='Zajac']</strong> (Eastern Michigan) in the middle, this group has become a tandem that not many teams can contain.</p>   <p>Both Eldred and VanBlack are primary players in the Indian's side of the net. Playing all six rotations, the two carry a huge load in not only the team's first contact but in their offense as well. VanBlack's return from an injury that had her sidelined all of last year has been a huge momentum shift for this program. Her presence on the court as not only a primary passer but an instrumental side-out weapon has been big. </p>   <p>Zajac is also another revelation. A Division 1 bound player on the basketball courts, Zajac will be heading to Eastern Michigan in the fall. However, at the rate in which this player's volleyball stock has been rising, she could make herself a case to dual sport for the Eagles too. At 6'2, she can become such a domineering presence. She's an immediate first look for the Indian's in side-out and transition opportunities and she holds up so well in the blocking department as well. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>This team boasts a seriously impressive resume, going 48-1-2 on the season. While their schedule includes a lot of similar opponents that may not be atop the list of power programs, this team has proven to hang with the big guns. On the Division 2 level, Tecumseh boasts multiple wins over the likes of Notre Dame Prep and Lansing Catholic. NDP is a perennial power in D2, while Lansing Catholic looks to be a favorite to advance to the Harper Creek regional.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Christian</h2>   <p>South Christian had a quiet 2023 after finding themselves in the Final Four in 2022. Due to graduation and the development of young talent, South Christian now looks to be a team with the caliber to make their case back to Kellogg Arena. They boast an impressive schedule. Regardless of the wins and losses, they've taken on the challenge. Could this be the year that the Sailors come storming back?</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>On paper, this team has what it takes to make another deep run into the post-season. Led by their outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='226876' first='Finley' last='Arp'] (Grand Valley) who has really come on for the sailors strong this season. Leading the group in kills and aces, Arp is no stranger for putting points on the boaard for SC. She also has stepped up her overall game as one of the teams leading defenders.</p>   <p>Alongside Arp, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487149' first='Olivia' last='Inthout']</strong> is another player that returns from that 2022 semifinalist group. As the team's libero, she has also had a great season in the back court, averaging over 4 digs per set. Inthout's step up in her game play has done wonders for the Sailors and their chances to take that next step.</p>   <p>While, both Arp and Inthout are familiar faces to this program, a player that has seemingly come out of nowhere is <strong>Colette Plattner</strong>. The middle block has been the perfect balance that this team needs to compliment Arp in the front row. And she's done more than compliment, more so, she's become a 1-2 punch for this team. Right behind Arp in kills, Plattner leads this team in efficiency, making much good with her opportunities.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>Going 21-12 on the season is much different from these other two teams, however, I don't see a single time that this group has seen anything but a top ranked opponent. They even own a few wins over these top ranked teams including the likes of Rockford and Byron Center. They nearly took a game off of Northview just recently, forcing that group to a fifth set. SC has really been absent from Division 2 competition outside of Grand Rapid Christian, but is prepped well to take them on once more in the regional rounds.</p>