Four Division 1 Teams Crashing The Party

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Pontiac on Dec. 21 for all interested 2026-2029 prospects following the 2025 fall season. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register"><strong>Click here to register</strong></a>, and use promo code <strong>“EllisPD25”</strong> to get $10 off your registration.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 prep season has another full month to go before the postseason begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Division 1 features a lot of teams we expected to compete for the title near the top of the rankings, there's some other teams that are defying expectations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at four teams that are right in the mix that not many may have seen playing for the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Hawks had potential to do big things this year, but they have surpassed expectations thus far. Bloomfield Hills is ranked right near the top of D1 thanks to wins over the likes of Mercy, South Lyon East, Marian, and Country Day. Miss Volleyball finalist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] </strong>is playing up to her reputation, hitting .380 while nearing 300 kills. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']</strong> has also been a huge reason for the success, as she's hitting .350 with nearly 200 kills. They are a dynamic 1-2 punch at the net and get added support from freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768151' first='Emily' last='Nwabueze']</strong> in the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox'] </strong>deserves credit for the high finishing rate of the team, which is nearly .330. The junior is already over 500 assists and giving her hitters great balls to unload on. Defensively, everyone is stepping up as well with juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804480' first='Alyssa' last='Moir'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490041' first='Julia' last='Colosimo']</strong> making a lot of tough digs. Bloomfield Hills definitely looks like a top contender in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dexter</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dreadnaughts have gotten off to a great start in 2025 with 20 wins in the bag already. That includes wins over Northville, South Lyon, Bedford, and Saline. As the competition continues to intensify in the weeks ahead, we will see just what Dexter is made of. The Dreadnaughts are a balanced team with a lot of contributors making their machine go. Offensively, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='727732' first='Larkin' last='Pham'] </strong>is having a great senior year, hitting over .300 with over 200 kills. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807301' first='Selena' last='Hochendoner']</strong>, sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808066' first='Nevaeh' last='Streich']</strong>, and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523833' first='Tessa' last='Boomhour'] </strong>are also capable finishers that keep opponents guessing. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226880' first='Chloe' last='Burns'] </strong>is an on-court leader at setter that plays with good intensity and focus. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537306' first='Annamarie' last='Myint'] </strong>completes the leadership puzzle in the back row at libero. This is a veteran squad that seems determined to make big waves in the D1 postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lowell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Arrows aren't long removed from a trip to Battle Creek, but they've had challenges getting out of the talented Grand Rapids area in recent seasons. This year, Lowell looks like it could shake things up again in D1. Having a great defensive leader can carry a team a long way and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark'] </strong>is doing that for Lowell. The senior is a dig machine and gives her team a chance against any opponent. Fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481379' first='Rylie' last='Barriger'] </strong>is one of the two setters and provides added leadership on the floor. She's joined by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806256' first='Laney' last='Bieneman'] </strong>at the setter position and the two are spreading the ball out well. Four different players have 90 kills or more, led by sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839870' first='Harper' last='Schaedig']</strong> with 163. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888958' first='Ellery' last='Bieneman'] </strong>is hitting .375 and proving to be a big-time impact first-year player for the Red Arrows. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812713' first='Delaney' last='Lowe'] </strong>and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810639' first='Alison' last='Smith'] </strong>are also consistent finishers at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars graduated a lot of hitting, but find themselves right in the top-10 mix thanks to the presence of a freshman phenom in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman']</strong>. This outside already has nearly 400 kills on the season while hitting an eye-popping .400. You won't find many freshman that make this kind of impact right from the start. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806631' first='Mallory' last='Kreider'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815995' first='Lily' last='Timko']</strong>, as well as sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan']</strong> provide some depth offensively to take pressure off Coleman at times. Kiernan and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804940' first='Brooke' last='Scheuher'] </strong>have been running the offense and know where Coleman needs the ball to be successful, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp']</strong> is locking down the back row at libero. The junior is playing with a lot of confidence right now. In recent weeks, East has turned a corner with wins over the likes of Rockford, Lowell and Country Day. The Cougars are definitely a team to watch going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->