OK Conference Red Breakdown: Top Players, Top Teams In 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OK Conference brings together many of the top teams on the West side of the state, with six different divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The OK Red usually showcases some of the top contenders for state championships, and we should expect that again in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the teams that should contend for the crown, and the top players the OK Red will feature this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams were the champs in the OK Red a year ago and went all the way to a runner-up finish in Division 1. While the Rams did graduate a large senior class, they still return plenty of experience that should keep them among the top teams in the state. On the outside, you won't find a better pair in the state than senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] </strong>(Oakland) and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>(Michigan State). Both are returning All-State players and each had over 500 kills last year and are big parts of the defensive effort as well. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828389' first='Grace' last='Crelly'] </strong>is also back to at middle hitter to give Rockford a lot of hitting experience up front. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen'] </strong>saw some time in the lineup as a freshman outside and could take on a bigger role this fall. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>is also back at setter to keep the offense running effectively. Rockford will have to replace its libero, but Hosford and Wandel should help keep the back row strong while the new starter settles in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have been one of the top teams in the state over recent years and they played Rockford to a pair of five-set matches in 2024. Hudsonville should also feel good about its 2025 season, as it brings back a lot of weapons on offense, including four of its five kill leaders from a year ago. The Eagles were balanced with their attack, but junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass'] </strong>was the leader from the middle with a high finishing rate. On the outside, seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806307' first='Leah' last='Burlison']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226939' first='Maggie' last='Szlachcic']</strong>, along with junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839515' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz']</strong> each had over 150 kills as well. At setter, junior <strong>Jaclyn Keppel</strong> was one of two to run the offense in 2024 and is back this year as well. Defensively, Lexi Armstrong was one of the leading liberos in the state, so replacing her will be a challenge, but the outsides have a lot of experience on the defensive side of things as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buccaneers graduated five players, but will be bringing some potent hitters back this year, which makes them a top contender in the conference as well. When it comes to versatile outsides, Grand Haven has a great trio in senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808059' first='Nadia' last='Prieditis']</strong> and juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481385' first='Allison' last='Musial']</strong>. Woiteshek stands 6'3” and brings plenty of athleticism to the net as well. She is going to be a lot for anyone to contain. Prieditis and Musial are great complements to her, as they can mix up the shot speeds and location to keep defenses off-balanced. Grand Haven will have question marks at setter and libero, which are definitely big question marks. There won't be a lot of time for a learning curve against the top teams in the area, so the offense may have to carry the Bucs in the early going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addie Devries, So. S/DS Grandville; [player_tooltip player_id='834863' first='Lilliana' last='Gitler'], Sr. OH West Ottawa; [player_tooltip player_id='806491' first='Lyla' last='Grcevich'], Sr. S East Kentwood; [player_tooltip player_id='644237' first='Makena' last='McIntyre'], So. OH Grandville; [player_tooltip player_id='803040' first='Monroe' last='Nienhuis'], Sr. L West Ottawa; [player_tooltip player_id='807256' first='Samarie' last='Roberts'], Sr. OH East Kentwood; [player_tooltip player_id='826802' first='Kelsey' last='Simpson'], Sr. MH West Ottawa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->