2021 Prep Preview: Top offenses in Division 2
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The countdown to the start of prep practices is under a month now, which leaves us eager to continues to contemplate which teams will be bringing the most pop to the court in 2021. Here’s a look at five teams…
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Continue ReadingThe countdown to the start of prep practices is under a month now, which leaves us eager to continues to contemplate which teams will be bringing the most pop to the court in 2021.
Here’s a look at five teams we expect to be among the top offensive teams this year.
Detroit Country Day
The Yellowjackets bring forth their best team in 2020, with a number of experienced senior hitters. Leading the way is First Team All-State middle Serena Nyambio Serena Nyambio 6'2" | MB Country Day | 2022 State #17 Nation MI in the middle. Perhaps the most explosive player in the state, Nyambio can’t be stopped when at her best. Morgan Lockhart Morgan Lockhart 6'2" | OH Country Day | 2022 State MI and Nyla Muskovin Nyla Muskovin 6'0" | OH Country Day | 2022 State MI are fellow All-State hitters on the outside, while Laurece Abraham Laurece Abraham 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2023 State #111 Nation MI is another explosive junior middle to be paired with Nyambio. Paige Elliott Paige Elliott 5'6" | S Country Day | 2023 State MI can play setter and moved to the back row, but her experience and leadership will go a long way to help this DCD offense find its full potential.
Notre Dame Prep
The Fighting Irish return all of their offensive pieces from a team that reached the state semifinals once again. Leading the way will be setter and right side hitter Alyssa Borellis Alyssa Borellis 5'11" | S Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #33 Nation MI , a do-everything player for the Irish that continues to find ways to sharpen her game and improve on her leadership skills. Fellow setter Margo Sudzina returns as well to give the Irish the ability to run a two-setter system again. When it comes to hitting, NDP will have plenty of experienced options. Along with Borellis, Bianca Giglio Bianca Giglio 5'10" | RS Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State MI and Sophia Sudzina Sophia Sudzina 5'10" | OH Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State MI are back on the outsides, while Sara Nouhan, Abby Nellis and Grace Wenaas are also hitting options. Many of these players can also shift to the middle.
Grand Rapids Christian
The Eagles lost some big pieces from 2020’s championship team, but they are a program that appears can reload as opposed to having to rebuild. Evelyn Doezema Evelyn Doezema 6'2" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2022 State #34 Nation MI looks to be very capable taking on the role of primary hitter. She’s got the size and power to be a dominant hitter. Alyssa DeVries performed very well in her first season as starting setter in 2020. She comes back for her senior year with a lot of confidence and the task of helping develop new hitting options. Kate Breems is a middle with some experience from last season, while Makenzie Ritsema is a promising junior talent in the middle that should get her chance to shine this fall.
Lakewood
The Vikings have been one of the top offenses in Division 2 for years and should be again in 2021 despite losing one of their biggest weapons in middle Aubrey O’Gorman Aubrey O’Gorman 6'3" | MB Lakewood | 2021 State MI . The 6’2” MSU product was a dominant force on the court and replacing her will be impossible. However, Lakewood still has her 6’4” sister on the outside, Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI . Accustomed to a lot of defensive attention already, the future Spartan will have all eyes on her this season. She returns setter Skylar Bump Skylar Bump 5'7" | S Lakewood | 2023 MI , who is one of the top junior setters in the state. Ellie Possehn and Kenzie Wells have a chance to really shine this season with a big opportunity opening up in the offense. The same can be said for some young middles, as the Vikings will have to address the loss of fellow middle Sophie Duits as well.
Coopersville
Coopersville suffered a big loss with Abby Olin Abby Olin 6'3" | OH Coopersville | 2021 State MI moving on to college, but head coach Shane Balcom has a lot of confidence in Emily May Emily May 6'1" | OH Coopersville | 2023 State MI , a junior that has become a dominant outside with a lot of upside, touching 10’2”. May has a strong setter working with her as well in Haylee Wegener, who will be making her varsity debut this upcoming season, but was a varsity setter at Grant as a freshman. The Broncos also have a lot of other arms that can shift around the net that are eager to showcase their skills this season. While somewhat unproven, Coopersville should once again bring a powerful attack to the net in Division 2.