D1’s Top Offenses Entering 2025 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's never a shortage of impressive offensive talent in Division 1 in the state of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the start of the 2025 prep season, a handful of teams are shaping up to be very explosive when it comes to offensive capabilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at what D1 teams should be the hardest to contain offensively in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brighton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are loaded with a lot of upperclassmen talent for the 2025 season, many of which should have an impact on the offense. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442972' first='Brier' last='Skelton'] </strong>are setting options for Brighton, with Gilmore able to slide to the right side as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828378' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'] </strong>(Duke) is a powerful senior hitter that can play on the outside or the middle. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman']</strong> is also a dominant middle option that can take over a match. On the outside, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489939' first='Vivian' last='Jones']</strong> is another strong arm that is coming off a great club season and should help this offense really come together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies should be one of the best in the state and looking to be a leader in the Grand Rapids area with its offensive firepower this season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']</strong> is back at setter and one of the most composed floor generals in the state. She's got powerful senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] </strong>(Western Michigan) to get the ball to, along with junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm']</strong> and junior right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</strong>. These three will be a handful for any opponent, and Stotenbur already knows exactly where to get the ball for these three to shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles utilized a lot of non-seniors in last year's lineup, which should make for an exciting 2025 season. Offensively, Hudsonville will be balanced and able to attack with a lot of different options. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass'] </strong>will be one of the top middles to come from the Grand Rapids area, and she's surrounded by talented outsides in seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226939' first='Maggie' last='Szlachcic']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806307' first='Leah' last='Burlison']</strong>, as well as junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839515' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz']</strong>. All showed a high consistency to finish points and will keep opponents guessing as to where the ball is going. Junior <strong>Jaclyn Keppel</strong> is back after being one of two setters for Hudsonville in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team on the west side of the state that will be bringing a lot of firepower is Jenison. The Wildcats are loaded, as senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield']</strong> (East Tennessee State) is one of the most productive returners in the state. She can do it all offensively and defensively. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock']</strong> and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807901' first='Charlee' last='Cochran'] </strong>also finish well on the pins to complement Chatfield. In the middle, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'] </strong>is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2027. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557447' first='Makenzie' last='Thompson']</strong> also returns after showing some promising flashes as a sophomore. Junior <strong>Erin Eriks </strong>is back at setter after splitting the position in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are a team that is always going to bring a lot of promising talent to the floor. This year, Marian has a lot of flexibility with its roster, and a lot of strong hitters that could dominate. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison'] </strong>(The Citadel) is back at setter after splitting time at the position last fall. She also showed the ability to play on the pins if need be. On the outside, juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </strong>(Boston College) are very explosive players that routinely put down highlight-reel kills. In the middle, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti']</strong> showed a lot of improvement over the 2024 season and could be a huge asset for Marian this year. Juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828552' first='Cecilia' last='Murray'], [player_tooltip player_id='442991' first='Leah' last='Bongiovanni']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443000' first='Samantha' last='Monroe']</strong>, along with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson']</strong> also were offensive contributors last fall that could step up in 2025. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin'] </strong>(Michigan) is a standout defender that sat out 2024 after transferring from Orchard Lake St. Mary's, where she was a leading outside for the Eaglets. She could bring added offensive flexibility in her senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marlins graduated setter Campbell Flynn, and it will be tough to replace one of the best to ever play the position, but Mercy will have some promising setters ready to step in. The new setter will have plenty of hitters to work with, led by senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews']</strong> (Stanford) and junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong> (Ohio State). Those two are as good as anyone at their position right now. Mercy also has explosive senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] </strong>(Austin Peay), along with 6'5” sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews']</strong>. On the outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226944' first='Maya' last='Zarow'] </strong>is a returning senior outside that took on some big attacks last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587002' first='Cydnee' last='Speights']</strong> is a sophomore outside that shows a lot of explosiveness as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 D1 runner-up should like its chances to make another deep run this season due to its incredible talent returning on offense. On the outside, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>(Michigan State)and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</strong> (Oakland) are as strong a 1-2 punch as anyone in the state. Both recorded over 500 kills last season and finish at high rates. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828389' first='Grace' last='Crelly'] </strong>can play anywhere along the net, while sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen'] </strong>also contributed last season. Also back is senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher']</strong>, who has been in the starting lineup for years and helped build great chemistry with her hitters. This offense should hit the ground running and be a dominant force throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Utica Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eisenhower was one match away from an appearance at Kellogg Arena last fall, and that was with a largely inexperienced roster. The Eagles have five players back with over 100 kills in 2024, including junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='546048' first='Liliana' last='Tripi']</strong>, who is a great threat at the net with her length, tempo and decision making. She's got a great feel for play and knows the ins and outs of all her returning hitters. Junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] </strong>had a great 2024 before suffering a knee injury that could impact her 2025 season, but hopefully she's able to get to 100 percent by the end of the season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226894' first='Gina' last='Fedrigo'] </strong>(Florida International) is one of the top right sides in the state and can come through with a key momentum-swinging kill. In the middle senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj']</strong> holds things down well and also finish at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Offenses To Watch: </strong>Grand Haven, Lowell, Mattawan, Northville, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Romeo, Saline, South Lyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->