Top Offensive Prep Teams Entering 2026, Part 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are now into May, the 2026 prep volleyball season isn't too far away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kids are wrapping up their club seasons and getting ready to put in the work to make a run at a state title come August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking ahead, there's a lot of high-offensive potential around the state, with some teams returning a plethora of talent. Here's the fourth part of our look at some of the top returning offenses in the state for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Portage Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs did some good things last year and come into 2026 with a lot of returning arms and a dynamite young setter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'] </strong>(Long Beach State) is the offensive catalyst and has established herself as one of the best hitters in the state. She will be backed up by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833455' first='Julie' last='Kucera']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840109' first='Avalon' last='Chumita'] </strong>at the net, two fellow returning seniors that give this attack a lot of experience. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782946' first='Catie' last='Jilek'] </strong>looked great as setter as a freshman last fall, so expect a lot of strides in her game for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top teams in Michigan in 2025 should be right in the mix again in 2026. While graduating some key offensive pieces, the team is still going to have offensive leader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']</strong> (Michigan State) back to lead the way. Wandel is definitely a Miss Volleyball candidate and will continue to shine in a lead role. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock'] </strong>is a returning middle that finishes at a high rate, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen']</strong> could be in for a breakout role as a junior this fall. The Rams will need to find a new starting setter, but the program has been able to produce consistent talent at all positions, so look for someone to step in and play at a high level right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Romeo</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs should pack a good punch this upcoming fall after a strong 2025 season. They bring some veteran leadership at the net in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow']</strong> in the middle and setter/hitter combo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams']</strong> being returning seniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807820' first='Addison' last='Bultynck'] </strong>is a promising outside that could have a big junior year as well. This should be a balanced attack, which makes Romeo a dangerous opponent to be up against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Roscommon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bucks were one of the powers in D3 last year and they won't be lacking in power again in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769601' first='Mara' last='Williams'] </strong>will be returning seniors that are a potent 1-2 punch for Roscommon and be tough for anyone in D3 to compete with. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732306' first='Reese' last='Williams'] </strong>is a well-balanced outside as well that will step into a big role as a junior to complete a three-headed monster that could lead Roscommon to new heights as a program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Saline</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets are always a team to keep an eye on when it comes to offensive firepower. In 2026, Saline will have a nice mix of senior leaders and young, exciting talent on offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454363' first='Akylah' last='Marshall']</strong> and <strong>Maya Heinemann </strong>will be returning senior hitters, while setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454362' first='Karlie' last='Smith'] </strong>will also be back as a senior, giving this group a lot of chemistry together. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885464' first='Charlotte' last='Keyes'] </strong>is also a middle that made a nice impact as a freshman and could be in for a big step up in production as a sophomore. Fellow sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782372' first='Lindsey' last='Nagel'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782649' first='Lauren' last='Nagel'] </strong>could be two to watch for Saline as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>South Lyon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions had an impressive 2025 season and should come into 2026 feeling very confident with its roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'] </strong>is a 2027 prospect that continues to impress on the outside. She will be joined as a senior next fall by senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523875' first='Kate' last='Sulkowski']</strong>, an imposing 6'1” hitter that improves each year. While graduating a talented setter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747660' first='Mari' last='Hardin'] </strong>is a returning senior that could potentially step in. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587007' first='Julia' last='Kavaliauskas']</strong> was also a steady contributor at the net as a sophomore in 2025. She will be primed to up her production this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>South Lyon East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars graduated some senior attackers, but they also return one of the top 2029 prospects in the nation in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman']</strong>, an outside that took over the state scene as a freshman. She's been working with Team USA in the offseason and will continue to be one of the most unstoppable players in Michigan this fall. She will be working with 2028 setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan']</strong>, a 6'2” setter with a lot of upside. These two should continue to raise each other's play while the Cougars find new complementary hitters. That could include another 2029 talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778631' first='Breanna' last='McMahon']</strong>, who saw time with the varsity last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->