Four Division 2 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. </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register"><strong><em>Click here to register</em></strong></a><em>, 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>The Division 2 race seems pretty wide open this fall, as a lot of teams have had flashes of contending for the state title.</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>Grand Rapids Catholic Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have already nearly matched their win total from last season, which isn't easy against a highly-competitive schedule. Balance has been the name of the game for CC, as they are utilizing four different hitters to do the damage at the net. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832117' first='Evy' last='Koops'], [player_tooltip player_id='807919' first='Ella' last='Thomas'], Maddie Ostrander</strong>, and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490379' first='Sophia' last='Berger'] </strong>all sit at 100 kills or more as sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884605' first='Cece' last='Rybicki']</strong> is moving the ball around and keeping defenses guessing. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216201' first='Cara' last='Wolf'] </strong>has always been a strong libero, but she's raised her game this fall and is playing at an elite level. With a lot of senior leadership, it's easy to see why the Cougars will be a tough out this postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Holland Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holland Christian has been a good program for years, but this season seems to be taking a bigger turn for the Maroons. Quickly approaching 20 wins, Holland Christian, already has held its own against the best in the Grand Rapids area. The Maroons look like a balanced team this year. Seniors <strong>Brooklyn Phelps </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732282' first='Kate' last='VanAppledorn'] </strong>have been strong finishers at the net, but they have plenty of depth backing them up. <strong>Addi Meiste</strong>, <strong>Tessa Leeuw, [player_tooltip player_id='805351' first='Ella' last='Westerbeke'] </strong>and <strong>Allison Lamer </strong>have been consistent at putting the ball away as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809230' first='Sophia' last='Terpstra'] </strong>is getting the ball to all the options to make this offense hum. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512832' first='Lauryn' last='Slenk'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808294' first='Addison' last='Slagh'] </strong>are getting to a lot of balls and racking up strong dig numbers. Should Holland Christian continue to get contributions from so many, the Maroons should stay in the title mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ionia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are off to a torrid start to the season, building off some positives from 2024. Two of their three losses came 2-sets-to-1 against top competition. Offensively, Ionia has been packing a punch at the net, with lead hitters all hitting .300 or better. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829421' first='Amaya' last='Frias'] </strong>is leading the way in kills, but closely followed by junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835029' first='Logan' last='Thomas']</strong>. These two are a solid 1-2 punch, but also getting support from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840402' first='Ireland' last='Brown'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819853' first='Tessa' last='Lemke']</strong>, a pair of seniors. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='700642' first='Grace' last='Droste'] </strong>is running the offense and providing some good leadership on the floor. Also providing senior leadership is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797636' first='Paislie' last='Patterson'] </strong>in the back row. She's pushing 200 digs, as is Thomas and Frias. All three have shown great commitment in their defensive play. Ionia is going to be a problem moving forward, the key for the Bulldogs will be how they handle the high-pressure situations that come in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marshall</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhawks have been a program that's always been right in the mix, but this season feels different, as they have some young talent really blazing the trail this fall. Freshman outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812023' first='Brynn' last='Johnson'] </strong>is not only playing like one of the top 2029 players in the state, but she's right in the mix for D2 MVP talk. She's got over 350 kills already while hitting nearly .300 for Marshall. She's got over half of Marshall's kills this year, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have help. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840137' first='Bella' last='Ryan'] </strong>and juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523415' first='Peyton' last='Tarmnel'] </strong>and <strong>Claire Kelly </strong>are still viable options for the offense. Sophomore setter <strong>Addie Carden </strong>has really gelled with Johnson, but is making a lot of strides each week to improve her game. Defensively, Johnson is also among the leaders with 220 digs, but senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795018' first='Jordyn' last='St. John'] </strong>is also getting to nearly everything. She's got 270 digs, while senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830562' first='Brookelyn' last='Stealy'] </strong>has also been a key contributor in the back row. Marshall is a well-coached team with a major arm to utilize. That's always a tough recipe for teams to deal with in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->