Looking Ahead: Top D1 Teams Coming Into 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never to early to look at what programs might be in title contention next prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at Division 1, there's definitely a great crop of contenders that should make the play even better than what we saw in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kicking Mules had a great 2023 season that ended in a five-set thriller with Northville in the regional semifinal. That tough loss will certainly provide a lot of motivation for Bedford and be a learning experience it can use for 2024. Bedford is going to bring back arguably the most dominant middle in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray']</strong>. She was a dominant finisher on offense while racking up 130 blocks defensively. The 6'2” Gray is definitely going to be a difference-maker. Gray has setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261174' first='Kaylin' last='Schroeder'] </strong>back as well, meaning those two aren't going to miss a beat and be able to start the year very fast offensively. The Mules graduate a pair of solid hitters, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown'] </strong>is a well-rounded outside that can excel offensively and defensively. She will be back to be another senior leader for Bedford. There will be some polishing needed to secure the back row, but with Bedford's power up front it should be a title contender next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs were a young team in 2023 and still made a solid postseason run, having their three-year title reign ended by the eventual champion in Mercy. Marian graduates just two from that squad, so they will be very hungry to get back to Battle Creek in 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] </strong>is one of the top players in the state and she's going to be very motivated to end her prep career on a high note. She will have a lot of help offensively from 2023 freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='<strong><strong>Calli</strong></strong>' last='<strong><strong>LeFevre</strong></strong>']</strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']</strong>, both of whom made big strides throughout the year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226945' first='Jayla' last='Zayti'] </strong>is also a strong middle option that was playing some good volleyball at the end of her sophomore season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison']</strong> ran a great offense in her first season as a starter. She will return for her junior year with even better instincts and chemistry with all these hitters. Marian can also mix in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock']</strong>, a 6'2” setter/hitter combo that sat out all of 2023 because of transfer rules. They also are adding in Orchard Lake St. Mary's standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin']</strong> for next season, who has been able to play anywhere on the court. Marian will also return five of its six dig leaders from 2023, led by libero <strong>Maria Odeesh</strong>, who will be a senior leader in the back row for 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 D1 state champs should be among the top contenders again in 2024. Along with returning Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] </strong>at setter, Flynn will have plenty of solid hitters to work with. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong> proved to be one of the top freshman in the state as an outside hitter and should only get better as a sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226944' first='Maya' last='Zarow'] </strong>was also a reliable outside option as a sophomore and has a lot of experience coming into her junior year. In the middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] </strong>was an explosive sophomore for the Marlins last season and will bring great depth in 2024. Mercy will also add in 6'4” middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews']</strong>, who sat out the 2023 season. Andrews will be a junior next fall and is one of the top middles in the state and the Midwest. She will certainly make Mercy even stronger up front. The Marlins also will bring back leading defenders <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156317' first='Keira' last='McNutt'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156289' first='Jillian' last='Collins']</strong>, both of whom played very well in their junior year. This team really looks like it could be even stronger than it was in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have made back-to-back appearances at Kellogg Arena. While making a third consecutive appearance trip in 2024 won't be easy, Northville has the talent and experience to do it. We saw both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] </strong>take big strides as all-around players in 2023 and they both return to provide the Mustangs with a great foundation in play and leadership. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>will be back for her senior year at setter as well. Her smooth play can never be overlooked. She will need to develop a few new hitters, but Northville will have some players ready to take a step forward. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'] </strong>showed a lot of growth late in the season and could take on a bigger role in 2024. Northville will need help to replace the holes left at middle hitter and defense. However, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] </strong>is a potential libero replacement that shows a lot of ability in the back row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442980' first='Gabby' last='Lavoie'] </strong>is also a promising young defender that could be a breakout talent next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams reached the regional final before falling short to Grand Haven in four sets. But, Rockford was still very young in 2023 and this squad will have tons of talent and experience to rely on in 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] </strong>turned into an impressive six-rotation outside as a sophomore and she's only going to get better during the offseason. She was aided at the net during the fall by freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226943' first='Sienna' last='Wolfe']</strong>. So, the Rams have all three together for another two years yet. Not to mention they will also have 6-foot senior hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] </strong>back in the fold. Visser missed most of the 2023 season with an injury, but she was a big contributor in 2022. Rockford also will have both setters returning in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>and <strong>Ashley Williams</strong>. Williams will be a great senior leader for them while Delacher will just be a junior. Defensively, along with the impressive blockers up front, Rockford returns six players that had at least 200 digs in 2023. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='289009' first='Ashley' last='Zollman']</strong> and <strong>Eleanor Goad </strong>are going to be key seniors in the back row to guide the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->