11 D2 Breakout Stars in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off the 2024 prep season, we already took a dive into <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/12/2024-division-2-player-coach-of-the-year/">Player of the Year</a> and the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/12/2024-michigan-hs-d2-all-prep-dig-teams/">Prep Dig All-D2 team</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But, there are a handful of players that deserve a little added recognition for how much they raised their stock during the fall and what they will bring to the court in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's 11 D2 players that put the rest of the state on notice for what's to come next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski'], So. GR Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles remained one of the top teams in D2 this season despite having to work in a new setter. Cebulski stepped up to the plate in the 6-2 offense and contributed in all phases of the game. She showed she can be a threat running the offense, or executing at the net. She also had a lot of promising defensive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726472' first='Emma' last='Eldred'], Jr. OH Tecumseh</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eldred lifted Tecumseh to a Division 2 finals appearance this season as she was an offensive and defensive leader for the team. She was the most consistent finisher and produced at a high rate, while also racking up a lot of digs, blocks and aces. Her balanced play will be a great building block for Tecumseh in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra'], Jr. OH Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hiemstra knew this was her year to step up with Country Day looking to fill a primary outside role in the starting lineup. Already an established club player, Hiemstra solidified her spot as one of the best in all of D2 this fall. She finished at a high rate and proved she could go toe-to-toe with any outside she came across. Expect more great things from her next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'], Jr. S. Imlay City</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping had plenty of motivation coming into 2024 and she made the most of her junior year, making Imlay City one of the highest-ranked teams in D2 throughout the season. Keeping can do it all. She's a very adaptable setter that has a powerful swing and serve as well. She can take over a match in a variety of ways and leave opponents dumbfounded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'], So. OH Garber</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lenhard did her part to put Garber on her back this season and push the team to a D2 semifinal appearance. She had over 700 kills to be one of the state's leaders in the stat, but also hit over .300 in the process. The long outside has a great feel for where to put the ball and that should only improve before next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'], So. OH/MH Notre Dame Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In need of some new hitters to step up, McDowell was a huge breakout star for the Irish in 2024. She could hit from anywhere at the net and finished with over 500 kills while hitting over .370 for the season. The 6-footer has a good mix of power and placement, and those shorts will only get faster and more accurate as she gets more big-match reps in the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt'], Fr. L Birch Run</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another freshman that made a huge impact in 2024 was Nostrandt. Birch Run is no stranger to having outstanding defenders and they seem to have another great one in Nostrandt. She was a dig machine and showed very mature instincts for a first-year varsity player. Next year she should come into the season with a lot of confidence and no fear to become a team leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478074' first='Sarah' last='Pippin'], Jr. OH Edwardsburg</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pippin knew Edwardsburg needed a little more production from her in 2024 after graduating its leading hitter from 2023. Pippin took that challenge head on and proved she could be a six-rotation outside that could excel. She racked up big kill numbers throughout the year, especially in big matches. She will come into 2025 as one of the top outsides in D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson'], So. OH Harper Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This young outside plays with a lot of intensity and its hard for that not to be contagious for her teammates. Working with a dominant middle, Robinson was a powerful finisher on the outside that made Harper Creek one of the best in 2024. After a 500+-kill season, Robinson will be ready to take on a bigger offensive role in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732282' first='Kate' last='VanAppledorn'], Jr. MH Holland Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'1” middle definitely had a breakout year as she emerged in a crowded Grand Rapids-area to be one of the top middles in the area. She showed the ability to adjust well to her setter and had a great mix of power and finesse with her attacks. Her footwork improved each week and she's shaping up to be a big problem for D2 opponents in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff'], Fr. S Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It would be hard to say there was a single freshman that has a bigger impact on her team in 2024 than Woodruff. Though she worked with great hitters, Woodruff's touch and accuracy on her sets, along with her ability to play a variety of tempos, kept D2 opponents from being able to pin down the Yellowjackets. Scary thing for every other team is Woodruff should only keep getting better from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->