Macayla Kohn Memorial Tournament Takeaways and Standouts

<p>Saturday saw Caledonia host a great 12-team tournament for its 10<sup>th</sup> Annual Macayla Kohn Memorial Tournament.</p>   <p>It was a talented field with a lot of close and competitive action.</p>   <p>Here's recap of the play and some of the players that stood out from the event.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Pool A</strong><br>Edwardsburg def. Ionia 25-21, 25-21<br>Edwardsburg def. Caledonia 19-25, 25-16, 15-7<br>Caledonia def. Ionia 25-23, 25-14</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Pool B</strong><br>Byron Center def. Cadillac 25-15, 25-17<br>Byron Center def. Mattawa 25-20, 25-11<br>Mattawan def. Cadillac 23-25, 25-13, 15-7</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Pool C</strong><br>FH Central def. Vicksburg 25-20, 25-20<br>FH Central def. Rockford 25-19, 27-25<br>Rockford def. Vicksburg 25-21, 25-18</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Pool D</strong><br>Jenison def. FH Northern 20-25, 25-23, 16-14<br>Jenison def. Portage Center 25-20, 25-21<br>Portage Central def. FH Northern 25-23, 25-23</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>Caledonia def. FH Central in 3<br>Edwardsburg def. Rockford in 3<br>Byron Center def. Portage Central in 3<br>Mattawan def. Jenison in 3</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>Byron Center def. Caledonia in 2<br>Edwardsburg def. Mattawan in 3<br><strong>Finals</strong><br>Byron Center def. Edwardsburg 28-26, 25-22</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Byron Center</strong></h2>   <p>The Bulldogs showed why they are among the top teams in D1. They've got great balance around the floor and only dropped one set on the day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong> is obviously one of the very best in the state and her leadership shows in her play and energy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters']</strong> really impressed and was the top middle of the event. She had numerous eye-popping kills for the Bulldogs. <strong>Whitney Breit</strong> also came through with some big kills in the middle, including a monstrous kill during the final that floored her teammates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield']</strong> was also very consistent in her play at libero, which you need to win an event of this caliber.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/Caledonia-Invite-88.jpg?w=727" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='825043' first='Ella' last='Laskowski']" class="wp-image-1041060" style="aspect-ratio:0.710650517022804;width:320px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Edwardsburg</strong></h2>   <p>The Eddies are team to watch in Division 2 for sure. They've got a great hitting lineup with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825043' first='Ella' last='Laskowski']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='940390' first='Courtney' last='Zache'] </strong>on the outsides and <strong>Teegan Armock</strong> a looking 6'1” presence in the middle. Laskowski was one of the top players of the entire event. She's got a very athletic swing and dealt some devastating kills throughout the day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942683' first='Rylie' last='Rosenkranz']</strong> did a great job at setter to give her hitters a chance to put the ball away. Look out for Edwardsburg come the D2 postseason.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Caledonia</strong></h2>   <p>The hosts showed a lot of good things this weekend and have the talent to be great. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds']</strong> was doing a bit of everything as an outside, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809359' first='Avery' last='Seif']</strong> gave everything she had at libero and was all over the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570463' first='Reese' last='Stafford']</strong> was making great sets and showcasing a wide range of skills, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502408' first='Kayleigh' last='Miersen']</strong> showed a lot of resiliency on the outside and powered through some big kills.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mattawan</strong></h2>   <p>The Wildcats struggled with consistency but proved that when they are at their best, they are a very strong team that can contend with the best. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490371' first='Brooklynn' last='Brassard'] </strong>is a great athlete that provides a lot of leadership and energy. Junior <strong>Charlotte Douglass</strong> was a standout, as she was consistently coming through with big kills on the right side, especially during key stretches of close sets. Freshman <strong>Tae Noe </strong>impressed at setter. She's long and agile and spreads the ball out well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021908' first='AnneMarie' last='Pelak']</strong> also came through with some impressive attacks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Portage Central</strong></h2>   <p>The Mustangs were the lone team to take a set from Byron Center, showing where there potential is. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782946' first='Catie' last='Jilek']</strong> is a difference maker as a sophomore setter while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky']</strong> is a big arm she can rely on. <strong>Caitlin Thompson</strong> also had some solid swings throughout the day for the Mustangs.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/Caledonia-Invite-35.jpg?w=901" alt="Jenna Stibitz" class="wp-image-1041031" style="aspect-ratio:0.8807487866882366;width:313px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Central</strong></h2>   <p>The Rangers were probably the grittiest team of the event. Everyone on the court really battled. FHC didn't have the size that a lot of other teams had, but they made up for it in effort and a perseverance. They won their pool and that was a credit to senior setter <strong>Jenna Stibitz</strong> and junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021934' first='Miki' last='Kobrak']</strong>. Those two were key as leaders to push their team to success. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845288' first='Bryleigh' last='Conner']</strong> came through with some big moments for the Rangers as well with her attacks and defensive play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jenison</strong></h2>   <p>The Wildcats are a veteran team and they showed flashes of how strong they can be, but struggled at times to finish close sets. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557447' first='Makenzie' last='Thompson']</strong> was one of the top players this weekend. She's incredibly scrappy at the net, but also makes a lot of smart plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464378' first='Ava' last='Bush-Nelson']</strong> is already one of the top middles, but the combo of her and Thompson are a handful for opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467951' first='Rylee' last='Paddock']</strong> is also a well-rounded outside that shows a lot of poise.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2>   <p>The Rams continue to work through the injury to [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] and find what is working for them. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock']</strong> is a player you can't help but root for. She plays with endless passion and fire and that feeds over to her teammates. Armock is definitely a hitter that leaves it all on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834257' first='Kiley' last='Manyen']</strong> also plays with similar fire. She's a balanced outside that makes a lot of tough defensive plays.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2>   <p>The Huskies were without Miss Volleyball finalist [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], but that didn't stop them from battling with top teams all weekend and ultimately winning the Silver Bracket. Even without Loehfelm, the Huskies had plenty of impressive hitters with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486269' first='Brooke' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881556' first='Stella' last='Polavin']</strong> leading the way.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/Caledonia-Invite-47.jpg?w=857" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='782164' first='Isabelle' last='Brown']" class="wp-image-1041067" style="aspect-ratio:0.8377296818438698;width:304px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cadillac</strong></h2>   <p>The Vikings made the trip West and South to play in Caledonia and they held their own despite being outsized in most matches. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782164' first='Isabelle' last='Brown']</strong> as a defensive-led outside. Despite being one of the best liberos in the 2029 class nationally, the ball can really fly off her hand when she's on the attack. <strong>Myah Goetz</strong> makes some really tough plays at setter as well. She also played at a high level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ionia</strong></h2>   <p>The Bulldogs had some highs during the event and pushed some of the top teams to the limit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644262' first='Amaya' last='Frias']</strong> is a really scrappy player that is all over the floor. It seemed like whenever the Bulldogs made a tough play or won a long rally, Frias was a big reason why.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Vicksburg</strong></h2>   <p>The Bulldogs took their lumps on Saturday, but they still have some hitters that can hold their own with anyone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523843' first='Addison' last='Naplin']</strong> is an athletic outside that looks polished in all phases of the game, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='699957' first='Brynn' last='Swetz']</strong> is a physical middle that can finish at a high rate and stays aggressive at the net.</p>

Saturday saw Caledonia host a great 12-team tournament for its 10^th Annual Macayla Kohn Memorial Tournament.