MAC Red Breakdown: Top Players, Top Teams In 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over in Macomb County, you can find a deep conference with a lot of talent in the MAC Red.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Macomb Area Conference Red Division is the top of six different divisions in the MAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into 2025, the MAC Red plays the home to some powerhouse teams that could shake up the state picture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the top teams and players that will be battling it out in the MAC Red this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending MAC Red champs should have big expectations. After a quarterfinal appearance in 2024 with a relatively young roster, the Eagles look to be one of the state's best this year on paper. There's no weakness in this lineup and a lot of experience to rely on. On offense alone, Eisenhower returns five players with at least 115 kills in 2024, three of which received All-State honors. Leading the way is junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']</strong>, a 6'1” athlete that can push a tremendous pace, but also is aggressive in her own right when the ball comes her way. She's got a lot of arms to feed this year. On the outside junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] </strong>and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226894' first='Gina' last='Fedrigo'] </strong>(Florida International) are as powerful a 1-2 punch as a team can ask for. If that wasn't enough, 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>are also returning middles that can also take over a match. Even more impressive for Ike is that, even with this offensive talent, the Eagles could be even stronger on defense. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander'] </strong>is among the best liberos in the state and she pushed toward 700 digs as a junior. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza']</strong> also is a dig machine that adds depth to the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>L'Anse Creuse North</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders finished just a game back of Eisenhower in the standings last year, but unlike the Eagles, LCN had some big graduation losses. Four of its six kill leaders are gone, as is the starting setter and libero. Who are back are a pair of seniors that have some experience putting away the ball in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='621464' first='Morgan' last='Janowski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844305' first='Sam' last='Curtis']</strong>. Both also have shown the ability to lead the defensive charge. These two will be counted on a lot while LCN finds new starters, but the Crusaders are a program with promising young talent that might be able to step up quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grosse Pointe South</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils will want to bottle up this season, as it is the last of one of the all-time greats in the program. Senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226886' first='Gabby' last='DiVita'] </strong>(Nebraska) can often be a one-person wrecking crew. She's proven to be one of the best in the state since she was a freshman and will look to push GPS to new heights in her final year. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827877' first='Sydney' last='Hoffman'] </strong>is a complement to DiVita in the middle and can put the ball away at a high rate to change up tempo. Senior <strong>Lucy Edwards</strong> is a setter that is back with some experience. Having DiVita to send the ball too certainly helps. Defensively, DiVita is also an elite option, but she is joined by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='791651' first='Anna' last='Groustra']</strong>, who had an impressive freshman year as the team's libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Romeo</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs came in fourth last fall in the MAC Red, but could definitely be a breakout team in 2025. On paper, Romeo has a lot of talent. It will just be a matter of how the team comes together. Only one senior graduated from the 2024 squad, leaving Romeo with plenty of experience. Senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] </strong>and junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow']</strong> are a pair of 6-foot hitters that are going to be a handful for the rest of the conference. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams'] </strong>is a setter/RS combo option that excels in both areas. She's got a good feel for this offense and will bring the best out of the Rosenows. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck']</strong> also had some good moments on the outside as a freshman, and could be a big factor this fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489427' first='Victoria' last='Weingartz'] </strong>was a fellow setter last year that gives some added senior leadership on the court when Williams shifts to the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='490036' first='Emma' last='Rosenow'] made a massive impact in the back row as well last year with nearly 500 digs. She's got junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442988' first='Kaylah' last='Liedke']</strong> returning in the back row as well to make Romeo a talented defensive squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma Baaso, Sr. S Anchor Bay; [player_tooltip player_id='808588' first='Ella' last='Bazzi'], Jr. DS/L Dakota; Isey Breece, Sr. S Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='517120' first='Rayeann' last='Deriemacker'], Sr. DS/L Anchor Bay; [player_tooltip player_id='845778' first='Kimora' last='Hansbrough'], Sr. RS Dakota; [player_tooltip player_id='792873' first='Carmella' last='Peiffer'], Jr. OH/DS Anchor Bay; [player_tooltip player_id='813547' first='Gianna' last='Peiffer'], Sr. MH Anchor Bay; [player_tooltip player_id='806977' first='Olivia' last='Thamarus'], Sr. OH Dakota</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->