Top Storylines For Division 1 Entering 2026 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**PrepDig Michigan is putting on three Showcase Events in August. We have the <strong>Freshman Showcase </strong>and <strong>Stock Up Showcase </strong>on Aug. 2, with our inaugural <strong>Up Next Showcase </strong>for 2031-33 prospects on Aug. 16. You can sign up for these events now on </em><a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/"><em>our Events Page</em></a><em>.&nbsp;<strong>Use PROMO CODE “Drew26PD25OFF”&nbsp;</strong>to get 25% off your registration. Be sure to get locked in before you get left out.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe we are just about one month away from the start of practices for the 2026 prep volleyball season and only about six weeks away from the start of competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be no shortage of exciting stories to follow this fall, including in <strong>Division 1</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's three storylines that intrigue me as we approach the new season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Will the CHSL remain on top?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With <strong>Farmington Hills Mercy </strong>claiming the 2025 Division 1 title, the Catholic League has now won six of the last seven D1 titles, with Mercy and <strong>Marian </strong>each claiming three of their own. These two should definitely be among the top contenders again in 2026. The Marlins will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong>, the Penn State commit that has been the lead outside for the last three seasons. She's got a great young setter feeding her the ball in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton']</strong>, along with some potent middles in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews'] </strong>(Stanford) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='885468' first='Saniya' last='Tucker']</strong>. Marian will be brining a lot of big names to the net as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </strong>(Boston College) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre']</strong>, along with one of the top young liberos in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</strong>. This rivalry has gone a long way to determine the state champion. But, both will have to also be mindful of <strong>Orchard Lake St. Mary's</strong>, a CHSL program that keeps getting stronger. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] </strong>(Georgetown) is one of the top senior outsides in the state and this team is going to be up for the challenge to try and unseat Marian and Mercy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stacked Seniors Out West</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Side of the state is going to have its say in how D1 plays out as well, with some outstanding seniors ready to propel their teams toward Battle Creek. <strong>Byron Center's</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] </strong>(Nebraska) and <strong>Rockford's</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>(Michigan State) each pushed their teams to the semifinals last year and should be even more motivated to do the same in 2026. Byron Center brings back a lot of talent, while Rockford is working in a new head coach, so it should be interesting to see if the Rams can continue to play at the level they left off in 2025. <strong>Grand Haven </strong>made some good strides last fall and have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] </strong>(Michigan State) back as one of the top senior outsides this year. This could be the Bucs year to really make a big splash. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] </strong>(Villanova) of <strong>Forest Hills Northern </strong>and <strong>Jenison's [player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson'] </strong>(Bowling Green) will also be keeping their teams right in the mix to be among the best out West. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky'] </strong>(Long Beach State) will be one to watch for <strong>Portage Central</strong> as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Will Sophomores Build Off Last Year?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2029 Class made a big splash last fall with multiple freshmen earning All-State honors and putting on dominant performances at their respective positions. We already mentioned Easton with Mercy, and South Lyon East outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman'] </strong>has established herself as one of the best 2029 prospects in the nation. She was a real force at the net in 2025 and only bigger things should be ahead. Cadillac's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782164' first='Isabelle' last='Brown']</strong> was a do-everything player for the Vikings and might be able to keep Cadillac in the mix up north, while Lowell's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888958' first='Ellery' last='Bieneman']</strong> turned a lot of heads as a middle hitter last fall. She will face plenty of top middles this year, but has proven she can hold her own. Harper Creek setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777145' first='Andersyn' last='King']</strong> was also one of the top freshman in 2025 and now she will look to build on that as Harper Creek moves up from D2 to D1 this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->