Super Senior Grand Rapids Area Classes For 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids area is going to be competing as the best in all of Michigan for the upcoming 2026 prep season, largely due to some great senior classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at eight teams in the area that are going to be loaded with experienced seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Byron Center</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs made a run to the D1 semifinals with a largely young team. This year, they will have great experience from seniors, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] </strong>(Nebraska) one of the best 2027 prospects in the country. This defensive ace has been an outstanding outside hitter for the Bulldogs. She's got fellow outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809922' first='Cara' last='Crittendon']</strong> (Albion) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830699' first='Caitlin' last='Hartson'] </strong>to provide a great 3-way attack at the net. <strong>Lele Froysland</strong> is a returning setter to help keep these three rolling on offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Caledonia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fighting Scots are going to have a great senior leader on the outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds'] </strong>(Findlay). She was the dominant offensive option for this team as a junior. She's got her setter back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570463' first='Reese' last='Stafford']</strong>, and the Scots are going to be very strong with senior defensive talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809359' first='Avery' last='Seif'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502408' first='Kayleigh' last='Miersen']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>East Grand Rapids</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EGR had a lot of depth and a balanced effort from its team in 2025. That should continue behind a strong senior class in 2026. Not many can match the defensive duo of <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>. Those two can keep any team in a match. Offensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490377' first='Coco' last='Bossardet']</strong> is a nice power arm to turn to on the outside to be a senior leader on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies aren't going to have the biggest senior class, but the returning talent is going to be potent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] </strong>(Villanova) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson']</strong> are as good of a 1-2 punch as you will find in the state. Both at 6'1”, they give the Huskies length and agility at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='794634' first='Izzy' last='Ayars'] </strong>will be able to add some depth on defense and from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bucs have to be very excited about this senior class. It's highlighted by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] </strong>(Michigan State), one of the most talented outsides in the entire state. She's got a great partner on the outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='481385' first='Allison' last='Musial']</strong>. They return their setter, who will be a senior as well, in <strong>Bria Hoegeboom</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817350' first='Natalie' last='Schneider']</strong> adds depth in the middle, while <strong>Gracynn Fisher </strong>will contribute defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Rapids Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 2 power is going to be stacked with senior talent again in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'] </strong>(Dayton) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski']</strong> are two big offensive assets at the net, with Cebulski being able to set as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost'] </strong>is also a returning senior setter, giving GRC some great offensive flexibility. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807798' first='Sylvia' last='Setsma'] </strong>will provide a 6-foot option in the middle as a senior as well, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder'] </strong>returns at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jenison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are going to be a lot for any opponent to deal with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'] </strong>(Bowling Green) is one of the top returning senior middles in the state and can pound the ball with the best of them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock'] </strong>is an elite defender that can play on the outside as well and put up big numbers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557447' first='Makenzie' last='Thompson']</strong> is also a returning senior at the net to give Jenison some impressive depth. <strong>Cora Rotman </strong>and <strong>Erin Eriks </strong>will be back as setters to run this offense, while <strong>Rylee Fennema </strong>will be a returning defensive leader as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always a state title contender, the Rams are going to be another one of the very best in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>(Michigan State) is one of the best all-around talents in the state and going to be driven to push the Rams toward a state championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock'] </strong>(Akron) is a great complement to Wandel that can play the outside or middle. It may not be a big senior class overall, but these two are capable of leading a team a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->