Who’s Shouldering The Workload In D2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 2 landscape looks to have some of the best talent in the state coming into the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside hitters are going to be leading the way in the division, and there are six in particular that are likely to shoulder a big load for their team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it be because they are accustomed to a large workload, or their team has a lot of roster turnover, these six seem primed for big production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723110' first='Payton' last='Barendsen'], Sr. OH Unity Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unity Christian may need nametags to open practice for the 2025 season, as the Crusaders lost eight players from their 2024 roster. That's a lot of turnover. Barendsen is one of the few returning players with a lot of on-court experience, and her ability to put the ball away was key throughout last fall. She will have to bring her best to the court to open this season and allow her new teammates to get caught up to speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828497' first='Reagan' last='Cederquist'], Sr. OH Montague</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montague graduated the majority of its roster from 2024, leaving the team to wonder who will step up into starting roles. One player that the Wildcats can rely on is Cederquist, a senior that hit over .300 as a junior. She's got the proven finishing ability at the net that can be utilized early in the year while the team pieces together its lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky'], Sr. OH North Branch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos aren't lacking in returning talent, but Deshetsky was such a dominant player as a junior, she is sure to be heavily relied on again as a senior. The Wofford commit had over 900 kills as a junior and is likely to be a top-10 career kill leader in MHSAA history when all is said and done. The senior doesn't back down from a big workload and she doesn't tire despite taking a lot of swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'], Jr. OH Garber</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Deshetsky, Lenhard was a one-woman wrecking crew numerous times during the 2024 season. She definitely was one of the most productive sophomores in the state, which puts some big expectations on her coming into her junior year. She's still got her setter to work with, which should help her keep up her dominant play and be one of the state's leading attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839825' first='Camille' last='Robinson'], Jr. OH Harper Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This explosive junior was a big key for Harper Creek making a run to Kellogg Arena last fall, but after graduating two of its top hitters, Robinson could be seeing a big workload early in 2025 as the Beavers find new reliable options to complement her. Having setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732295' first='Taegan' last='Anderson']</strong> back is a big boost as well, but Robinson is a player that looks hungry to lead by example and be the primary option for Anderon's sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442613' first='Lily' last='Sukup'], Sr. OH/DS Goodrich</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Martians graduated half a dozen players from its 2024 squad, leaving the need for leadership on the floor and Sukup fills that role very well. Not only can she excel offensively as a pin hitter, but she's also one of the top defenders in the state. Goodrich has to rely on Sukup in all phases of the game and she can meet those expectations. As the team fills out new role players, Sukup will be a key leader for Goodrich.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->