The Road to Kellogg Begins: Top Division 1 Contenders

<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   We may be on the cusp of opening day of the 2023 season, but it's never too early to get a peak at who the top dogs are. The road to Kellogg begins NOW!   Last season saw perennial powers stand tall and new faces emerge to the forefront. This year is looking to have a lot of shake-up throughout Divisions 1 through 4. We have a real fun season ahead of us.   Without further ado, let's check out the top contenders for the Division 1 crown.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marian</h2>   A trail has been set ablaze. Can they do a full four year cycle in Battle Creek?   This is the year we will see if Marian can do the unthinkable and pull off an incredible four year straight championship run. The last team do that in Division 1/Class A volleyball was Portage Northern, coached by Jack Magelssen, from 1992 to 1995. The last team to do the unthinkable, regardless of divisions, was Bronson in Division 3/Class C from 2015 to 2018.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/Danielle-Mertz-Ellery-Rees.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-448553" style="width:306px;height:172px" width="306" height="172" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz']</figcaption></figure>   2023 may very well be the year we see Marian join this elusive club. However, this is a very different looking group from a season ago. The Mustangs return 2022 All-State Selection, OH [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] (Cincinnati). Busignani returns to Marian with a huge club season under her belt and no more worries on recruitment. She will be full force from start to finish. UT [player_tooltip player_id='222362' first='Danielle' last='Mertz'] also returns. Mertz is another player that saw huge leaps in her game this past club season. It'll be interesting to see where coach Mayssa Cook inserts Mertz into the lineup. She can play virtually anywhere along the net, but has played primarily on the left side since last November.   With the departure of so many pieces from a season ago, we'll be seeing plenty of new faces. Taking over setting duties will be S [player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison']. Like Mertz, Davison's game saw huge strides in the past several months in club. With growth in Davison's movement and ball placement, she will surely slot into the role well. Alongside her come in some big freshman names. OH/OPP Callie LeFevre will surely make immediate impact for the Mustangs. Already, LeFevre is a top rated prospect in the freshman class - a situation very familiar to the Marian Volleyball program. Her and Busignani will surely make a dandy 1-2 punch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saline</h2>   2023 saw the emergence of Saline Volleyball. Is it here to stay?   Last year saw the breakthrough of the Hornet volleyball program. A breakthrough that was seemingly a long time in the works. This was the first ever Division 1/Class A Semifinal appearance for Saline. The last time this program was seen in past the regional rounds was all the way back in 1984 when they won Class B Championships. Could this be the year the Hornets end the drought?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/3-Olivia-Behen-scaled.jpg?w=966" alt="" class="wp-image-248754" style="width:191px;height:202px" width="191" height="202" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen']</figcaption></figure>   Unlike Marian, Saline brings back a strong core to its roster that includes four Division 1/2 commits. Leading the scoring, the Hornets return 2022 All-State selection OH [player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] (Syracuse) and OH [player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] (Xavier). Laurio and Flaharty will surely be a big 1-2 punch on the left side. 2022 saw the duo combine for 733 kills. Saline will also reintroduce MB [player_tooltip player_id='110282' first='Mallory' last='Bohl'] (Notre Dame) back into the lineup. Bohl suffered an ACL tear in an early SEC match-up with Bedford last fall. Her presence will surely do wonders for both the offense and net defense. Manning down the Hornet defense returns L [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] (Grand Valley State). Behen averaged just under 5 digs per set in 2022.   With the departure of key pieces of All-State selections, S Laney Burns (Edinboro) and OH Anna Hesse. The teams dynamic changes ever so slightly. Big question marks linger on who will be handed the reigns left by Burns and which newbie(s) will fill in the offensive load that Hesse took on a season ago.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills Northern </h2>   Here comes the Huskies! Can they make it out of the war zone that is West Michigan Volleyball to return to Kellogg?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/12-Elana-Erickson.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-393933" style="width:182px;height:215px" width="182" height="215" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2024 No. 1 Prospect - [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson']</figcaption></figure>   How the bracket is set up currently, a west side team is almost guaranteed a spot in Kellogg every season. Who that team is? It always changes. Northern managed to breakthrough arguably one of the toughest roads from last year's bracket. They were led by Miss Volleyball nominee Kennedy Louisell (High Point), a leader in total scoring for the Huskies. Fast forward to now, Louisell is gone, but Forest Hills Northern is still here!   While they lose what seemed to be the face of the program last year in Louisell, there's absolutely no reason to count them out so fast this season. Two big reasons why - OH [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] (Western Michigan) and MB [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky). This duo of six rotation players may have fallen under the radar last season but will be very well known this season. Both Erickson and Hopewell are very familiar with each other. Coming off of a huge club season with FaR Out, the two didn't know anything but winning in their junior year. Both have the passing capabilities to rival the top liberos in the state, meanwhile the two are also some of the nastiest players you will see at the net.   Not only does Northern lose Louisell but they also lose S Lauren Hallas (Bentley). Who will fill in their roles? Look no further than OH [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'] and S [player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']. The two are already making big impressions just within their opening weekend of play and will surely be major impact players for FHN throughout the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northville</h2>   Forest Hills Northern and Saline weren't the only teams to breakthrough the mold last year. Can Northville make it a double feature?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/Ella-Craggs-Set-Victoria-Gray.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-447543" style="width:259px;height:173px" width="259" height="173" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </figcaption></figure>   Last year saw practically the entire field (Beside Marian) of the Division 1 Final Four comprise of general newbies to the stage. Northville put an absolute show in the semifinals with Saline. The two duked it out in a five set brawl that saw the decisive set go the way of 15-13 decision. Like Marian and FHN, Northville waved goodbye to a Miss Volleyball nominee in Abbigail Reck (Northeastern) and All-State L Taryn Rice (Northern Iowa). The two leave big holes in the Mustang offense AND defense, how will Coach Sarah Lindstrom and Co recoup?   Looking at the returners, there's nothing to slouch over with these pieces. S [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] proved to be pivotal in her transfer to Northville and the program. Craggs was an All-State selection with Northville and returns to this season with All-American honors with Michigan Elite. Alongside Craggs joins defensive powers MB [player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson'] (Eckerd) and a pair of DS/L's [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] (Syracuse) and [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] (Wright State). Nelson at 6'3 manages the net with authority while the battle for the libero jersey will be red hot between Gnau and McKee.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mercy</h2>   It's been a few years since Mercy has been atop the Michigan Volleyball world. But with one of the top prospects in the country and one of the top youth setters internationally, can this be the return of the Mercy Marlins?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/747-Cree-Hollier-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437864" style="width:245px;height:213px" width="245" height="213" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier']</figcaption></figure>   Yes, it's been since Mercy's state title run in 2019 since the Marlins have been in the mix for a title. The following season led by S Julia Bishop (Michigan State) saw the crew narrowly bow out in a five set brawl to Marian. Since then the Marlins have been bowing out earlier. This season proposes an intriguing tale though. The domination of S [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] (Nebraska) and an incoming transfer, MB [player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'], this may be the return needed.   While Andrews' transfer lingers in the air, whether or not the stud middle will be eligible to play right away or not, Mercy still holds an intriguing promise to make some waves. Some returning pieces that will have to step up big time will be OH [player_tooltip player_id='110286' first='Angie' last='Butler'] and MB [player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier']. Last season saw the two have substantial roles for the most part. Butler, used as a utility pin attacker, and Hollier, the high flying middle that fits the mold of a Flynn ran offense. Other returners that'll need some big strides will be in the back court with OH/L [player_tooltip player_id='156289' first='Jillian' last='Collins'] and L [player_tooltip player_id='156317' first='Keira' last='McNutt']. Mercy does bring in some young firepower in freshman OH Kate Kalcynski.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Others to Consider:</h2>   South Lyon East - Clarkston - Hudsonville - Jenison - Rockford   In a slew of other contenders to keep a close eye on, we have a few dandies that could make big rumblings throughout the season. South Lyon East poses an imposing threat the further down they get into the tenure of coach CJ Blaha. Arguably one of the top up and coming coaches in the country, Blaha has turned this program around fast. SLE is loaded with attackers with OPP [player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'], MB/OPP [player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='110280' first='Katie' last='Berry']. A big issue for this team that hindered them last season was an absence of a setter. With growth in this position, this team is one to steer clear of.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/95-Marlie-Smith-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-437825" style="width:250px;height:203px" width="250" height="203" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</figcaption></figure>   Clarkston was merely a point away from a semifinal match last season versus Marian. The unthinkable happened and down went the leading scorer in the entire tournament, OH [player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] (George Washington). Suffering an ACL tear, a lot of this team's success this fall will linger on her return due to how vital she became last fall. Clarkston also graduated and lost OH Paige Giehtbrock (Rider) to graduation and S/OH [player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock'] (Arizona) to transfer. While substantial losses surely, Coach Ali Smith welcomes daughter OH/S [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] to the program. Chatter shows Smith to be one of the top prospects in the freshman class and should bode this squad well.   Moving over to the west side of the state, this area is looking even hotter than before. I have all three Hudsonville, Jenison and Rockford as potential power players in the post season madness. Hudsonville could easily make their grand return to Kellogg Arena after their run in 2021. They're led by SR OH [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] (Central Michigan) and SR L [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] (San Diego State). The two create the perfect 1-2 punch of offensive and defensive heavyweights. Swiercz is also a shoe-in for a Miss Volleyball nomination this fall.   Jenison may be more of a wildcard for sure, but from what I saw from all of their different pieces in the club season. I am very excited to see the group mesh throughout the fall. The crew is young but mighty. They're led by two physical attackers in OH [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield']. Both showed up and showed out in the summer with FaR Out, playing crucial roles in their respective team's top five finishes at AAUs. Could they lead Jenison to he promise land too?   Rounding out the list is Rockford. Led by arguably one of the top active coaches in MHSAA history, Kelly Delacher, his 2023 squad as the makings for a grand return to Battle Creek after a Runner-Up finish in 2018. Much like Jenison, this team is going to skew on the younger side. With players such as Jr OH [player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] and So OH [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'], the two will be looked to carry a big load upon their shoulders early on.