2023 Season Preview: Top D2 Dark Horses

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 2 is going to be filled with powerful, championship-pedigree teams in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting the big dogs off the top of the hill won't be easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, there are still some teams laying low that could help shake-up the landscape this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's five D2 programs that might be able to surprise some people this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabriel Richard is a program that knows about success in the Division 2/Class B level. Though it has been a bit since we last saw it at Kellogg Arena, the Irish still have reasons to be optimistic in 2023. Coming off a five-set loss in a district final with semifinalist Divine Child last November, this year's Irish squad will again be ready for a postseason push. Playing through the difficult CHSL has aided in their efforts in the past and should again this year. The Irish should be really solid defensively behind the likes of <strong>Gianna Sanson</strong>, who is experience with the libero jersey. <strong>Olivia Robinson </strong>is also a returning setter who has some size to work with at the net in the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523639' first='Lydia' last='Fraser'], Fiona Fitzpatrick</strong>, <strong>Allison Wicks </strong>and <strong>Skylar Bjorge</strong>. Don't sleep on the Irish this year, as they may catch some by surprise come November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Frankenmuth</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankenmuth reached the regional finals in 2022 and have to be hungry to push through further in 2023. This team has some holes to fill, but returns one of the top players in the Tri-Valley Conference, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153672' first='Audrey' last='Geer']</strong>. She's an outside that has raised her game by leaps and bounds with each year. This fall should see her really be a complete player in all aspects of the game. Frankenmuth also utilized a lot of underclassmen last fall that could see a lot of growth for this year. 2025's like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595969' first='Rosemary' last='Brenner']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473958' first='Julia' last='Rodriguez']</strong> and <strong>Raquel Hernandez</strong> all contributed, as did 2026's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer']</strong> and <strong>Mya Donovan</strong>. Those underclassmen should play like veterans this fall and help Frankenmuth be a deeper squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fruitport</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":384801,"width":244,"height":162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/63-Gracelynn-Olson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-384801" width="244" height="162" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='227707' first='Gracelynn' last='Olson']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another regional finalist that felt the sting just before finals week was Fruitport. The Trojans are another team that gets battle-tested throughout the season in a difficult conference, only to be ready to push opponents in the postseason. This year, Fruitport has a great foundation of experienced players to work with. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156300' first='Sadie' last='Haase'] </strong>had a breakout 2022 season as an outside and should be even more polished this fall. She's got a really promising setter to work with in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227707' first='Gracelynn' last='Olson']</strong>, who made a big splash as a freshman, proving she can handle the leadership responsibilities. Establishing new complimentary hitters will be key, but the defense brings back some experience in senior <strong>Lauren Ridel</strong> and junior <strong>Tara Sweet</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Orchard Lake St. Mary's</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four years ago, when Orchard Lake St. Mary's began girls sports, all programs knew it would be a work in progress. Volleyball has been one of the stronger programs to emerge and 2023 will mark the first season this program has had seniors to lead the way. This year's squad will have multiple four-year seniors and three-year juniors. Coming off its best season yet in 2022, the Eaglets can focus on postseason success in 2023. OLSM will be really sound at all positions. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239993' first='Kadie' last='Tarasiewicz']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin']</strong> were All-Catholic League honorees in 2022. Martin also is a defensive standout as well, while the 6-foot Tarasiewicz is a real blocking force. <strong>Sophie Borowski</strong> will be one of the senior leaders with a lot of experience as an outside, while sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs']</strong> showed some flashes of being a breakout star as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500643' first='Mia' last='Cibor']</strong> is back as a senior setter to keep the pieces moving, while junior <strong>Miriam Czarnik </strong>is a relentless libero. Few teams in the state should have the overall chemistry that the Eaglets will have in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Swan Valley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swan Valley captured a district title last fall and had some pretty impactful underclassmen step up in 2022. That could help the Vikings make another postseason push in 2023, perhaps to the final week of play. At the net, <strong>Mia Robinson</strong> was a standout freshman outside, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595372' first='Sydney' last='Kuhn'] </strong>was a consistent sophomore RS. With an offseason of work, both should be ready to raise their game another level this fall. Setter <strong>Marli Robinson</strong> also returns as a senior this fall, so she can provide a lot of leadership while keeping the Swan Valley offense moving quickly. If the Vikings can fill in some losses defensively, they should remain right in the thick of the D2 hunt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other top contenders</strong>: Airport, Edwardsburg, Kingsford, Mt. Morris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->