By BUTCH HARMON
CLASS A
The Kalamazoo area is traditionally home to some of the finest volleyball teams in the state, and this year is no different. Gull Lake, located northeast of Kalamazoo in Richland, is loaded with talent and led by setter Katie Schau, who is headed to the University of Minnesota. Gull Lake also has a talented middle hitter in Leah Perri, who is headed to Clemson University of the ACC. Mattawan is another Kalamazoo-area powerhouse, and it is led by 6’5″ middle hitter Allie Havers, who is a Miss Basketball candidate. Look for one of these Kalamazoo-area teams to win the state title in Division 1.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
Gull Lake
Macomb Dakota
Clarkston
Mattawan
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
Midland
Davison
Flushing
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH STATEWIDE
Abby Cole, Grand Haven
Katie Schau, Gull Lake
Leah Perri, Gull Lake
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
Tori Blake, Midland
Taylor Robertson, Midland
Michaela Ryan, Davison
LOCAL ANGLE
With the potent one-two punch of Tori Blake and Taylor Robertson, the Midland Chemics are the premier Division 1 team in mid-Michigan. Midland, coming out of the Bay City Central district, is poised for a deep tournament run. Flushing and Davison also have quality squads. Flushing will have to get past St. Johns and Owosso in its own district, while Davison is the favorite in the Carman-Ainsworth district.
CLASS B
A number of familiar faces will be aiming to win the Class B state title this season. Lakewood, North Branch, and Forest Hills Northern annually have solid teams, and this season is no exception. Lakewood comes into the tournament ranked No. 1 in the state, and the Vikings have a number of impressive wins under their belt, including a big tournament win against Class A powerhouse Mattawan. A wildcard to watch is a talented Whitehall team from the shores of Lake Michigan north of Muskegon.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
Lakewood
North Branch
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern
Whitehall
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
Lakewood
Wayland Union
Portland
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH STATEWIDE
Autumn Christenson, Whitehall
Hope Rillema, Whitehall
Ally Kiekover, Forest Hills Eastern
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
Tori Jankoska, Freeland
Nicole Green, Portland
Monica Skrabut, Garber
LOCAL ANGLE
By far the toughest local district is at Wayland Union. The host Wildcats are a top-10 team in Class B, while the No. 1 team in the state, Lakewood, will also be in the Wayland district. Throw in a competitive Portland team that has faced Lakewood in conference play this season, and you have a powerful district. Freeland hosts it own district and is poised for a long tournament run of its own.
CLASS C
Few teams in Class C match the talent and depth that Monroe St. Mary’s possesses. Led by returning all-stater Alexis Thompson, St. Mary’s will be tough to beat. In southern Michigan, Concord has a talented squad, led by the sister duo of Andrea and Maycee Brigham, who are as productive as any pair in the state.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
Monroe St. Mary’s
Manchester
Concord
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
Morley Stanwood
St. Louis
Pewamo-Westphalia
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH STATEWIDE
Alexis Thompson, Monroe St. Mary’s
Andrea Brigham, Concord
Maycee Brigham, Concord
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
Kayla Rosman, Morley-Stanwood
Brooke Tubbs, St. Louis
Madison Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia
Allison Martin, Pewamo-Westphalia
LOCAL ANGLE
Pewamo-Westphalia has been one of the premier volleyball teams in Mid-Michigan this fall. The Pirates have dominated the CMAC this season with Madison Smith playing big at the net and Allison Martin quarterbacking the offense. The Pirates are primed for a long post-season run but will have a difficult hurdle to clear in Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian at the Blanchard-Montabella district. The Sharks of St. Louis have been ranked in the top ten in the state this season led by the talented Brooke Tubbs. While Morley-Stanwood was hit hard by graduation the Blackhawks have reloaded in a big way and will have a big say in whoever wins the state title.
CLASS D
Battle Creek St. Phillip has been the New York Yankees of Class D volleyball in the state of Michigan over the years and this year is no different. St. Phillip has a team that competes against the top Class A and B volleyball teams in southwest Michigan and this fall it is again at the top of the Class D polls and is the team to beat for the state title. Senior Amanda McKinzie is one of the premier players in the state and the 6-0 outside hitter will be taking her talents to Virginia Tech next season after trying to lead St. Phillip to the state title.
TOP TEAMS STATEWIDE
Battle Creek St. Phillip
Mendon
Leland
TOP LOCAL TEAMS
Beal City
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart
Fulton-Middleton
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH STATEWIDE
Amanda McKinzie, Battle Creek St. Phillip
Amanda Lovell, Mendon
Maggie Osono, Leland
TOP LOCAL PLAYERS
Monica David, Beal City
Jade Kennedy, Beal City
Ashlee Davis, Fulton-Middleton
LOCAL ANGLE
Beal City has one of the youngest coaches in the state in 20-year old Kelly David who was an Aggie standout just a few years ago. Kelly’s younger sister Monica is helping Kelly make her foray into coaching a success with some solid play on the court. The Aggies are ranked among the top five in the state and are poised for a long tournament run. Fulton-Middleton has had a solid season in the CMAC and could also make a nice tournament run.