Top Five Teams to Watch in Division 2

Yesterday we took a look at some of the top teams to watch in Division 1, now let's make our way down the ladder to Division 2! This division is in no shortage of high level volleyball. Between the likes of perennial powers North Branch, Notre Dame Prep and Grand Rapids Christian, this division has been one of the more exciting ones to watch and follow throughout the season.   Just like I said, the perennial powers that be return as a few of the top teams to watch. Alongside them are some potential sleeper picks like Frankenmuth and Essexville-Garber. The only downfall with these teams is that the possibility of them playing each other before the quarter final rounds are VERY likely, taking away from some amazing volleyball in Kellogg Arena.   Rest assured, let's break down the top teams to watch this year in Division 2!   <h2>North Branch</h2>   Would it be a postseason conversation without talking about the perennial power that is North Branch Volleyball?! Last season saw the grand return of the Broncos to Battle Creek after a long four years. The last time they were in Battle Creek was when they won in 2016. With immense talent, physicality, and youth, the Broncos steamrolled into the final game in 2021 before losing to long time rival Notre Dame Prep. But like i said, this squad is young, the entirety of their lineup returns as only juniors and with talent and tradition on their side, it's a no brainer.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1522657486364459008?s=20u0026t=4HUF8HIXiIep9OTlarBCWw </div></figure>   North Branch returns one of the top liberos in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'], Green was instrumental in topping a tough Lakewood squad in the semis last year. Some of the more exciting names returning alongside Green is setter [player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw'], middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'], and opposite [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory']. Greschaw has some of the most deceptive hands in the 2024 class and has so many options a her disposal to play with. At the net, Chingwa and Gyomory can combine for one of the toughest blocks in all of the divisions, while bringing the heat when their number is called.   A big question looms over their returning All-State attacker [player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky']. Last season saw the star attacker play the last half of the season with injuries in both knees and still managed to deliver until the end. If Deshetsky returns healthy and can return to full strength, this squad is virtually unstoppable.   Key Returners: L [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'], S [player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw'], OPP [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky'], MB Natasha Bickel   Newbie to Watch: OH/S Aubree Deshetsky   <h2>Essexville Garber</h2>   Essexville-Garber is another team that returns a deep bench in 2022. In 2021, the Garber Dukes were on a high from August 10th all the way into the post season. With a record of 50-4, Garber could've easily been a team we were watching in Kellogg last season. They made it all the way to the Regional Semifinal before falling to the eventual Runner-Ups, North Branch. With the linger of last year's loss and some valuable club experience for the starting roster, this could be the year we will see Garber breakthrough.   Like I said the Dukes return a lot, including their third team All-State outside, [player_tooltip player_id='172187' first='Emma' last='Dufresne']; All-State honoree libero [player_tooltip player_id='172189' first='Laney' last='Kokaly']; and the current record holder for most assists in a single season, Ella Wagner. Dufresne and Kokaly combine for a tough back court and offer constant ball control with Dufresne being a tough six rotation outside. Wagner has an abundance of hitters to her disposal and has the best feel for who to feed at the right time. Garber also returns middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='172188' first='Ashlee' last='Lenhard'] who was one of the leading blockers in the Saginaw Bay Area.   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='172187' first='Emma' last='Dufresne'], L [player_tooltip player_id='172189' first='Laney' last='Kokaly'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='172188' first='Ashlee' last='Lenhard'], S Ella Wagner (Northwood Softball)   Key Losses: OH/DS Jacqueline Brinkman (North Central Michigan)   <h2>Notre Dame Prep</h2>   Unlike the previous two teams mentioned, this powerhouse program loses a lot of firepower from last season. Between Miss Volleyball nominees [player_tooltip player_id='24844' first='Alyssa' last='Borellis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='24842' first='Josie' last='Bloom'], they also lose OH [player_tooltip player_id='137573' first='Sophia' last='Sudzina'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='24857' first='Bianca' last='Giglio'], and MB Abby Nellis. Between the five, the Irish are losing about 70% of their offense and 50% of their defense. Ya, this is going to be a challenge for legendary coach Betty Wroubel. But if anyone can restock and reload, it's her.   Rest assure though, this team has some big time returners that could help fill the holes from last year's class. Taking over the libero jersey will be the Alabama bound [player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] who is coming off of an explosive club season. At the net will be MB [player_tooltip player_id='140493' first='Grace' last='Weenas'] alongside her club teammate running the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='66331' first='Margo' last='Sudzina']. This trio is not one to scoff over as Berent has great ball control and defense and Sudzina can run a well oiled machine. Wenaas will be looked upon to take a heavy load, but will take it in stride.   Key Returners: L [player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'] (Alabama), MB [player_tooltip player_id='140493' first='Grace' last='Weenas'], S [player_tooltip player_id='66331' first='Margo' last='Sudzina']   Key Losses: OH/S [player_tooltip player_id='24844' first='Alyssa' last='Borellis'] (Ole Miss), L [player_tooltip player_id='24842' first='Josie' last='Bloom'] (Virginia Tech), OH [player_tooltip player_id='24857' first='Bianca' last='Giglio'] (Marshall), OH [player_tooltip player_id='137573' first='Sophia' last='Sudzina'], MB Abby Nellis   <h2>Frankenmuth</h2>   This team is very much a wildcard I am pulling out but I have a great feeling that his team will make some big noise with what they have in 2022. In 2021, I would've put money on Frankenmuth being the team to meet North Branch in the Regional Final, but in came the conference rivals, Birch Run, with the upset in the District Final. It was a tough loss for the Eagles as it seemed momentum in the season was all on their side. Luckily for them they return the player that made it all happen, [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'].   Geer exploded onto the scene last year and thus, so did Frankenmuth volleyball. She quickly entered the conversation of being one of the top outsides in the state with her wicked attacking prowess and her ball control that can rival most liberos. Alongside her returns quite a bit from last season looking to capitalize on the potential they saw, this includes OPP Lexi Boyke and S Sarah Hauck. Muth does lose a lot of production in the middle with graduation of Emma Kerkau, but with the amount of returners, this hole could be filled quite nicely.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1462093856439164930?s=20u0026t=BHV3IIVQF14m00pbzcwmAg </div></figure>   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer'], OPP Lexi Boyke (Central Michigan - Basketball), S Sarah Hauck   Key Losses: MB Emma Kerkau (Michigan - Rowing)   <h2>Grand Rapids Christian</h2>   Grand Rapids Christian is coming off of an unprecedented run in Battle Creek that very few have seen before. After amassing three consecutive state titles, Christian bowed out to eventual champions in the Semifinals last year, giving them four straight years in the Division 2 Final Four. This year is going to be a real test for the Eagles of GRC. They lose Miss Volleyball [player_tooltip player_id='24853' first='Evelyn' last='Doezema'] and the last remaining members from that illusive three-straight run.   Of last year's squad, only 14% of their offensive production returns. This includes returning middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='66327' first='Makenzie' last='Ritsema']. Ritsema played more of a blocking role last season, averaging a block per set, but will have to take on a huge role offensively this season. They also return libero [player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma'] who led the team with 470 digs in 2021. Defensively, Christian seems to be pretty sound but a huge question lies in their offense and who will be the next big hitter following [player_tooltip player_id='24853' first='Evelyn' last='Doezema'].   Key Returners: MB [player_tooltip player_id='66327' first='Makenzie' last='Ritsema'] & L [player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma']   Key Losses: OH [player_tooltip player_id='24853' first='Evelyn' last='Doezema'] (Michigan State), S [player_tooltip player_id='151377' first='Alyssa' last='DeVries'] (Calvin), MB Kate Breems (Calvin), OH [player_tooltip player_id='151379' first='Calista' last='Bremer']

Yesterday we took a look at some of the top teams to watch in Division 1, now let's make our way down the ladder to Division 2! This division is in no shortage of high level volleyball. Between the likes of perennial powers North Branch, Notre Dame Prep and Grand Rapids Christian, this division has been one of the more exciting ones to watch and follow throughout the season.