KLAA West Breakdown: Top Players, Top Teams In 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The KLAA West is definitely a conference that can determine a state champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's Division 1 state champ came out of the KLAA, while another program won the championship in 2015-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's battle should be very competitive amongst the top teams, but even the top contenders still have some talent that can compete with anyone in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at what the KLAA West has to offer in the 2025 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 state champions have been among the elite teams in the state for years and were able to collect the hardware last fall to prove it. The Mustangs face a big challenge in a title defense, as they graduated some all-time greats from the program, all on offense. Defense may need to carry the team early on, which can be done through two strong defenders in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] </strong>and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442980' first='Gabby' last='Lavoie']</strong>. Both of these players have proven they can dig up some of the hardest attacks and cover a wide space. Offensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'] </strong>is a senior outside that looks ready to take on a bigger role and showcase her full set of skills at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'] </strong>is also a solid senior pin hitter that suffered a knee injury during the 2024 postseason run. Hopefully she's able to contribute to the team at some point this fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523832' first='Charley' last='Romeo'] </strong>is a junior outside that could also have a breakout fall. The same can be said for senior setter/right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261202' first='Peyton' last='Lowes']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brighton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have a lot of optimism for this season as they return a talented and experienced group. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828378' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'] </strong>(Duke), junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman']</strong>, and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489939' first='Vivian' last='Jones'] </strong>are putting the ball down at a solid rate to start the year and either of the three could be the go-to hitter on most teams in the state. That kind of arsenal makes things easier for senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'] </strong>and junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442972' first='Brier' last='Skelton']</strong>. Defensively, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442968' first='Amelia' last='Vogelheim'] </strong>and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='798138' first='Ruby' last='Pennala'] </strong>have been locking things down in the back row, giving this team great balance all over the court. Out to an unbeaten start, Brighton has some bigger tests on the horizon that should show just how far they can go in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Novi</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are no stranger to postseason success and have been a tough out in the KLAA for many years. Novi has tested itself with a lot of strong opponents to open the year, which should help it prepare for the upcoming conference schedule. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471313' first='Nellie' last='Alves'] </strong>gives Novi a chance against anyone, as the long setter can make a big difference. She confuses defenses and can play a quick pace. While graduating a lot of top hitters, <strong>Allie Villanueva </strong>is a returning senior middle that finished at a good rate last fall. Defensively, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226937' first='Mallory' last='Stoy'] </strong>and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587009' first='Kaitlyn' last='Koceski']</strong> were big dig contributors in 2024 that could be relied on while the Wildcats find their new go-to hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allison Farquhar, Sr. OH Howell; [player_tooltip player_id='535359' first='Delaney' last='Fillman'], Sr. L Salem; [player_tooltip player_id='790996' first='Addie' last='Garl'], Sr. L Hartland; Giana Jourdonnais, Sr. S/RS Plymouth; [player_tooltip player_id='490381' first='Caylin' last='Lindsay'], Jr. OH Hartland; Sophia May, Sr. S Howell; [player_tooltip player_id='763972' first='Leah' last='McCully'], Jr. OH Plymouth; [player_tooltip player_id='526729' first='Elizabeth' last='Nordstrom'], Jr. OH Salem; [player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'], Jr. OH Howell; [player_tooltip player_id='828201' first='Dakota' last='Parnell'], Jr. MH Plymouth; [player_tooltip player_id='845869' first='Lily' last='Swan'], Jr. S Canton; Abi Valenzuela, Sr. OH Canton; [player_tooltip player_id='546053' first='Tamari' last='Wheatley'], Jr. MH Salem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->