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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not many conferences in the state that can claim to have more talent depth than the OK White.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A really strong group of teams make up the seven-team division and last year, competition was pretty fierce and balanced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the teams that should contend for the conference title in 2025, and the top players the OK &nbsp;White will feature this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies ran the table in 2024, an impressive accomplishment to say the least. Doing that again will be no easy feat. However, FHN won't be lacking in returning talent. This offense is likely to be at full force throughout the year with senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur'] </strong>back to spread the ball out. She's got a lot of experience and composure that Northern can rely on. Stotenbur isn't short on explosive hitters to get the ball to. Senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] </strong>(Western Michigan) can dominate offensively and defensively, while senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman']</strong>, and juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] </strong>are all formidable finishers along the net. This team can come at you in a variety of ways. Defensively, Hersman is a standout defender in her own right, but seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490347' first='Sydney' last='Shannon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446698' first='Scout' last='McAlister']</strong> and junior <strong>Izzy Ayers </strong>can all excel in the back row as well. This team doesn't look to have a weakness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Rapids Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are always among the top contenders in Division 2 and they fell just shy of the division title last year. This season, GRC will be brining its usual high level of talent to the court. Offensively, the Eagles have both of their setters back in juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost']</strong>. Cebulski is also a right side that can finish at a high rate and will be a focal point of the offense alongside junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong>, who has been one of the most powerful hitters in the state since she was a freshman. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807747' first='Mallory' last='Bremer'] </strong>is also an option on the outside, while junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807798' first='Sylvia' last='Setsma']</strong> and sophomore middle <strong>Mya McKinnin </strong>each show promising finishing rates. The offense will have to be strong as GRC replaces a mainstay in the back row. Madison Peal graduated, leaving a hole at libero, but senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809356' first='Anwen' last='Amash'] </strong>is an option with some experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>East Grand Rapids</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pioneers were one of three teams tied for third in the conference last year. EGR had a lot of balance on offense and brings back the majority of primary attackers. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490377' first='Coco' last='Bossardet']</strong>, and seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586769' first='Johanna' last='Taatjes']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='468822' first='Sadie' last='Devlaeminck']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226901' first='Madelyn' last='Hungerford']</strong>, and <strong>Jillian Kowaleski</strong> each had over 100 kills in 2024. That bodes well for sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='664290' first='Heidi' last='White']</strong>, who saw a lot of action as a freshman and is looking to step up in her second season. EGR also brings a dynamite pair of junior defenders in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800489' first='Mackenzee' last='Stanley-Eldred'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800551' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred']</strong>. These two can amass the digs quickly and complete the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another strong D2 power, GRCC was part of the three-way tie for third in 2024. The Cougars graduated their leading hitter, but still have a lot of good options at the net. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490341' first='Madeline' last='Ostrander'] </strong>can make a big impact with her hitting and blocking, while junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490379' first='Sophia' last='Berger'] </strong>and senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832117' first='Evy' last='Koops']</strong> were consistent finishers on the pins. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582914' first='Ellie' last='Kileen'] </strong>is also one to watch out for. She can play anywhere on the net and showed some nice flashes as a freshman for GRCC. Sophomore <strong>Cece Rybicki </strong>was one of two starters in 2024 and is back as a sophomore to get the best out of this offense. Defensively, the Pioneers can definitely rely heavily on senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216201' first='Cara' last='Wolf']</strong>. She's one of the best in the back row and has proven she can dig up the best in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Eastern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks were also part of the three-way tie for third in the conference, but may have the biggest question marks after graduating two outstanding all-around players in Adelee Kaiton and Layna Waselewsky. FHE didn't have a big senior class, but it was an impactful one. One big key is getting back junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490380' first='Emily' last='Wolter']</strong>, who should be able to help develop new go-to hitters. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='842444' first='Elsa' last='Kleff']</strong> looks to be an option that can step up, as she had some dominant flashes on the outside and in the middle during the 2024 season. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805196' first='Cora' last='Lee'] </strong>and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806966' first='Olivia' last='Peters'] </strong>are also some returning options with experience finishing points. Defensively, the Hawks also will have to fill some big shoes, but senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='798852' first='Skyler' last='Tabin'] </strong>could be an option to step into that role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players To Watch</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jana Kalumbula, Sr. OH/S Ottawa Hills; [player_tooltip player_id='809569' first='Cambree' last='Krause'], So. MH FH Central; [player_tooltip player_id='310635' first='Taniya' last='Radden'], Sr. MB Ottawa Hills; Jenna Stibiz, Jr. S FH Central; [player_tooltip player_id='750529' first='Olivia' last='Waller'], Jr. OH FH Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->