Oakland County’s Stacked Senior Classes Entering 2026 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Class of 2026 now flipping their tassels for graduation, we can look to the next set of senior classes in the state of Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland County is one of the strongest areas for volleyball in the state, and heading into the 2026 prep season, there will be some stacked senior classes to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bishop Foley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This D3 team is going to bring a lot of experience this fall, headlined by a pair of outsides in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835846' first='Marnie' last='Augustyn'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='784227' first='Mary' last='LoBue']</strong>. Both can finish from either pin and provide a lot of firepower. The Ventures will also get some senior depth from middles <strong>Gwen Sanders </strong>and <strong>Leah McCulloch</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bloomfield Hills</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Hawks certainly have some holes to fill, but will be able to be stronger in other areas thanks to senior leadership at key positions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox'] </strong>has been one of the best setters in the state and still goes a little unnoticed for how well she's played. She will have some good defensive help from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804480' first='Alyssa' last='Moir'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490041' first='Julia' last='Colosimo'] </strong>in the back row while she develops some young hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves will have one of the top senior leaders in the state in setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] </strong>(North Carolina), who will be driven to lead Clarkston to big things. Smith has some veteran hitters to feed the ball to in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809036' first='Maya' last='Kuebler']</strong>, who is also a strong defensive talent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762842' first='Laney' last='Champagne'] </strong>also adds some depth on offense to make this veteran offense a handful for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though some great seniors graduated, Country Day will still be senior-led again in 2026. The middle will be a big strength behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko']</strong>, two players that took a big step forward as juniors. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'] </strong>has a lot of explosiveness on the outside and is a defensive option for DCD. She could have a breakout year as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always one of the top teams in the state, Marian will bring some potent seniors to the court next fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] </strong>(Boston College) has developed into one of the best right sides in the country. If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre']</strong> can return to her productive play from a few years back, it provides a huge boost for the Mustangs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828552' first='Cecilia' last='Murray']</strong> will also be a senior arm that Marian can turn to, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443000' first='Samantha' last='Monroe']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending D1 state champs lost some power arms, but are always ready to reload. The Marlins still have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] </strong>(Penn State) to lead the way. The senior outside is one of the best in the country and seeking her third state title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586766' first='Catie' last='Kuchta'] </strong>is a do-everything player that can provide help offensively or defensively for the Marlins, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='762765' first='Natasha' last='Harvey'] </strong>is a returning 6-foot middle that can help provide offensive depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Milford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks had eight juniors on their roster last fall, which means they will have plenty of leadership and depth this fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454368' first='Lexa' last='Pierson'] </strong>(Oakland) is a very productive and talented outside that can do it all to lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534728' first='Ashlyn' last='Charder'] </strong>was a great complement on the outside for Pierson, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812962' first='Ellaena' last='Michelin'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='946710' first='Brynlei' last='Gunn']</strong> also provided offensive depth as juniors. <strong>Ryleigh Johnston </strong>is a returning setter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442989' first='Kyler' last='Madison'] </strong>and <strong>Kaitlynne Sienko</strong> were defensive assets last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Orchard Lake St. Mary's</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eaglets are in one of the toughest conferences there is, but they will have a lot of experience to try and compete with the likes of Mercy and Marian. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] </strong>(Georgetown) can hold her own with anyone on the outside and she'll have fellow seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490043' first='Katelynn' last='Dabish']</strong> and <strong>Reese Holton </strong>to help out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486863' first='Lindsey' last='Schwegman'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] </strong>are returning senior setters to make the offense hum, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='470701' first='Zoey' last='Kapeller'] </strong>is a top-level libero to keep the offense in-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>South Lyon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions keep moving up and up in the mix to be a top team in the state. That won't change this fall with a great senior class led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan']</strong> on the outside. Duncan is a workhorse that can impact the game in all phases. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523875' first='Kate' last='Sulkowski']</strong> is emerging as one of the stronger middles in this class as well and should be in for a big senior year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747660' first='Mari' last='Hardin'] </strong>is a returning setter that missed a lot of time last fall, but will provide a big boost this fall. <strong>Mia Provagna </strong>can also bring some key defensive play for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Stoney Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars made some waves in 2025 and bring a senior class that could help the program take another big step in 2026. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442997' first='Morgan' last='Bates'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='531680' first='Ava' last='Youhanna']</strong> are two very capable senior setters that can keep this offensive moving. In the middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442973' first='Brooklyn' last='Rummler']</strong> (Florida International) can take over a match with her length and power. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849248' first='Bianca' last='Micakovic'] </strong>is a returning senior outside that will make an impact as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->