Michigan’s Top East Side Senior Classes For 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East side of the state is going to be gearing up for big things in the 2026 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a number of teams bringing back loaded senior classes, the level of play should be great. Here's a look at some of the East side teams that will get great senior production this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(<em>Oakland County has its own senior spotlights <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/oakland-countys-stacked-senior-classes-entering-2026-season/">here</a>)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brighton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs lost some talented hitters, but still return one of the best players at the net in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman']</strong> (Clemson). The 6'3” middle can also play on the outside for Brighton if needed. She will return a setter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442972' first='Brier' last='Skelton']</strong> to continue to gel with. In the back row <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442968' first='Amelia' last='Vogelheim']</strong> is one of the most athletic defenders in the state and should keep Brighton near the top as a defensive team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Eisenhower</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Macomb County team is going to be loaded with senior talent in 2026. Leading the way is setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']</strong> (College of Charleston), who is one of the top setters in the Midwest and a real difference-maker. She will have some power hitters to work with in seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442999' first='Olivia' last='Berishaj'] </strong>(Hillsdale) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839826' first='Elise' last='Biermann']</strong>. Both can hammer the ball on the pin. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807754' first='Rease' last='Buza'] </strong>also returns as a big asset on defense, helping this senior class round out the lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Frankenmuth</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles won't have the biggest senior class, but three returning seniors have made a big impact for this team already and will continue to help Frankenmuth remain a D2 contender. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523867' first='Miranda' last='Polley']</strong> is a returning middle that can take over a match, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523870' first='Delaynee' last='Witbeck'] </strong>can step up on the outside with big finishes. <strong>Addison Bickel </strong>is a returning setter/defender that is a well-rounded talent that brings a lot of consistency to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Linden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flint Metro League power will be a tough defensive team thanks to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802603' first='Lila' last='Nester']</strong>, one of the top liberos in the area. She's been a very reliable player the past few years and now steps into her senior year with a lot of leadership skills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='791088' first='Addison' last='Siegwald'] </strong>will provide added depth in the back row. At the net, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804519' first='Amelia' last='Wittbrodt']</strong> and <strong>Ryenn Becher</strong> will give the Eagles a nice 1-2 punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Millington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 3 Cardinals had a junior-heavy roster last fall, which should lead to big things in 2026. A pair of sisters are going to be the strength in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808685' first='Grace' last='Ehrmantraut'] </strong>and outside <strong>Carly Ehrmantraut</strong>. <strong>Kallie Stevens </strong>and <strong>Gianna Nitz </strong>also can put the ball aways to give Millington a lot of experience up front. <strong>Emmaleigh Peters </strong>and <strong>Lyla Wagner </strong>also can provide depth defensively and from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Port Huron</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big Reds got big wins in 2025 and did so with a roster comprised of almost all juniors. That should have Port Huron rolling out the gate in 2026. At the net, Port Huron has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis'] </strong>(Lawrence Tech) dominating the middle while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834003' first='Keira' last='Meyers'] </strong>is a strong finisher on the outside. <strong>Brooklyn Ware </strong>and <strong>Ashanti Cesaro </strong>also were steady kill contributors. <strong>Averi Stager </strong>returns at setter, while <strong>Macie Siebert </strong>is back in the back row after racking up a lot of digs in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Richmond</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richmond took some lumps last fall, but did so with eight juniors on the roster that will be hungry for a bounce-back-season in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones'] </strong>(Belmont) is one of the top outsides in the class and will be tough for anyone to slow down. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn']</strong> is also back as an outside option with elite defensive skills as well. <strong>Madilynn Gnesda </strong>and <strong>Chloe Papastergion</strong> provide some added offensive depth, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='798982' first='Sophia' last='Jackson'] </strong>is a proven dig machine wearing the libero jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Romeo</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs saw a lot of success in 2025 despite being relatively young. In 2026, it will be a senior-heavy team led by some strong offensive options in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams']</strong>, a hitter/setter combo, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow']</strong>, a 6-foot power arm that can play anywhere along the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806868' first='Natalie' last='Mutch'] </strong>is another senior hitting option that had some success last fall. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442988' first='Kaylah' last='Liedke'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442990' first='Kylie' last='Freeman'] </strong>will provide experience in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Valley Lutheran</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A D3 semifinalist in 2025, Valley Lutheran had eight juniors on the roster. This is going to be one of the most experienced teams in the state come 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt'] </strong>is an MVP candidate heading into the season thanks to her leadership and strong play at setter. She has leading hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807118' first='Reagan' last='Webb']</strong> and <strong>Linden Pommaville </strong>returning for their senior year to make this offense very potent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442983' first='Hayden' last='Sherman'] </strong>is also back at libero after racking up nearly 700 digs as a junior. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='575013' first='Elsie' last='Hultberg'] </strong>is also a great defensive standout that provides depth in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->