Top Storylines For Division 4 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>The 2026 prep season is quickly approaching, with a month to go before practices get underway</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things in <strong>Division 4 </strong>should be quite interesting, as the 2026 battle for the state could go to a number of teams. Here's some of the storylines to look out for in D4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Open Title Race</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 4 felt like a wide-open race in 2025, which it proved to be. It looks like it could be the same in 2026. Fowler brought home the championship last year, but did so with a senior-heavy roster. The Eagles graduated nine players, including Player of the year <strong>Paige Thelen</strong> and star libero <strong>Rachel Wirth</strong>. Runner-up Mendon graduated four seniors, including <strong>Jadyn Samson</strong> and <strong>Gracie Schultz</strong>. Forest Park was a young roster, but lost its ultra-talented senior outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916058' first='Ava' last='Fischer'] </strong>and top setter <strong>Elsie Williams</strong>. That may put things in favor of Ubly out of the four finalists from last year. The Wildcats have top middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611100' first='Waverly' last='Hagen']</strong> back to lead the offense, as well as outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='724836' first='Addison' last='Weber'] </strong>and <strong>Alaina Donnellon</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who Could Step Up and Reach Battle Creek?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With this race being wide open, we could see plenty of new teams reach Kellogg Arena by season's end, maybe even a completely new set of four teams. BC St. Philip is no stranger to being in Battle Creek, but its been some time since they have been there. With senior leaders <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810425' first='Adriana' last='Olsen'] </strong>and <strong>Addison Dzwik</strong> leading the way, and the Fighting Tigers look like a real threat. Lenawee Christian is also a team to watch behind returning All-State talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916065' first='Hattie' last='Fansler'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916067' first='Brynn' last='Davis']</strong>. Concord also has some big talent back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732303' first='Annie' last='Saenz'] </strong>in the middle and <strong>Bradie Lehman </strong>at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Super Sophomores</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 4 was the home to some great freshmen talent in 2025 and we can expect those standouts to shine once again as sophomores. Fansler was Second Team All-State as an outside for Lenawee Christian and brings one of the strongest arms in the division for this fall. <strong>Lashell Blair </strong>put up some impressive attacks for Mendon while leading the Hornets to the state championship match. With some senior graduates, Blair is set to become a major player for Mendon and make a big splash in the state. <strong>Quinn Dzwik</strong> is a big-time emerging star on the outside for St. Philip and brings a great family pedigree to the floor as a sophomore. Muskegon Catholic middle <strong>Alaina Smith </strong>also turned a few heads in 2025 and could be in the mix to be one of the top middles in Division 4 this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->