Get to know the Greater Lansing high school volleyball teams
Here is an overview of the high school volleyball teams in Greater Lansing. This reflects information provided by area schools.
CAAC BLUE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. DeWitt, 2. Grand Ledge, 3. Okemos, 4. Holt, 5. East Lansing, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett
▶ Top returners: Sophia Anderson, Holt; Kylie Goodman, Grand Ledge; Sadie Laubenthal, Holt; Taya Nordmann, DeWitt
DEWITT
▶ Last season: 22-14-1, 10-2 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Carley Robertson (2nd season)
▶ Top returners: Taya Nordmann (sr.) MB, Cali Stevons (jr.) S, Keena Sosa (jr.) OH, Sophi DeVlieger (sr.) MB
▶ Other contributors: Jenna Hitchcock (fr.) Opp, Allison Harryman (sr.) L, Avery Benson (so.) OH
▶ Outlook: The Panthers have high hopes and aim to claim a league title and repeat as district champions. Nordmann is a Southern Illinois Edwardsville commit and coming off an ACL injury. Stevons, Sosa and DeVlieger are other returning starters who will help DeWitt chase its high goals.
EAST LANSING
▶ Last season: 4-8
▶ Coach: Heather Stanley (7th season)
▶ Top returners: Corinne Neil (sr.) S
▶ Other contributors: Ariyanna Johnson (so.) MH
▶ Outlook: Neil is in her fourth season on varsity and will lead the Trojans.
EVERETT
▶ Last season: 0-12 (7th)
▶ Coach: Dayjah Stewart (4th season)
▶ Top returners: Alawiya Mahamat (sr.) MB/OH, Ella Gordon (sr.) MB/OH, Sariah DeLaFuente (sr.) RH, Channing Lewis (sr.) OH/R
▶ Other contributors: Stephanie Esquivel (jr.) MB, Idalia Castilla-Boyer (jr.) OH
▶ Outlook: After two seasons of building, the Vikings will look to compete this season. Everett has a core of seniors who will lead the way with Gordon being a fourth-year varsity player.
GRAND LEDGE
▶ Last season: 7-5 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Matthew Cox (4th season)
▶ Top returners: Kylie Goodman (jr.) OH, Jayda Stocker (sr.) MB, Madison Bartlett (sr.) MB, Annie Grew (sr.) DS/RS. Sienna Lake (sr.) DS, Emilie Blue (sr.) RS
▶ Other contributors: Kamsi Iweajunwa (so.) MB, Akira Laing (jr.) DS, Brynn Gollehon (jr.) DS
▶ Outlook: Goodman is a third-year varsity player and two-time all-league performer who leads the returning talent for the Comets. Cox said there are other new faces who will make an impact as Grand Ledge aims to push even further this fall and challenge for a league title.
HOLT
▶ Last season: 13-15-1 (T-3rd)
▶ Coach: Billie Jo Olcheske
▶ Top returners: Sadie Laubenthal (jr.) MB, Sophia Anderson (jr.) S, Libby Baswell (jr.) MB, Claire Tobias (sr.) Opp, Presley Pazitka (sr.) DS, Jaime Eddington (jr.) OH, Kate Collins (sr.) OH, Viviana Bailey (sr.) OH/DS
▶ Other contributors: Brooke Kahn-Jacques (so.) L, Mia LaFeve (so.) OH, Eleonora Felei (sr.) OH
▶ Outlook: Laubenthal is a third-year varsity player and Anderson is attracting college interest and among a large group of returners for the Rams. That talent back makes the possibilities this fall exciting for Olcheske as Holt looks to improve its standing in the CAAC Blue.
OKEMOS
▶ Last season: 28-8-2, 12-0 (1st)
▶ Coaches: Jamie Ianni / Alexandria Williams (27th / 2nd seasons)
▶ Top returners: Rachel Hursey (jr.) L, Mia Mardsen (sr.) OH/Opp
▶ Other contributors: Violet Greborunis (jr.) OH, Sydney Cronin (sr.) MB, Adora Singo (jr.) MB, Paloma Rosati (so.) S, Olivia Wallace (jr.) Opp, Bella Meyer (sr.) Opp, Penelope Joy (jr.) Opp, Lila Vega (jr.) DS, Victoria Zambiasi (sr.) DS
▶ Outlook: Hursey earned honorable all-league honors and Mardsen is a returning starter for the Wolves, who lost several key players from a squad that claimed league and district titles last fall. Despite having an inexperienced group, Okemos believes there’s plenty of talent on its roster and hopes to challenge in the CAAC Blue.
WAVERLY
▶ Coach: Pamela Garza (2nd season)
▶ Top players: Katylin Snook (sr.) S/RS, Abbey DeLong (sr.) L, Alyssia Taylor (sr.) M
▶ Other contributors: Lily Shaw (jr.) OH, Myana Collins (sr.) OH/RS, Victoria Carter (jr.) S/RS, Ashlyn Daylas (sr.) M
▶ Outlook: Snook, DeLong and Taylor are third-year varsity players who will lead the way for the Warriors.
CAAC RED
▶ Coaches' predictions: T-1. St. Johns, T-1. Williamston, T-3. Haslett, T-3. Mason, 5. Fowlerville, 6. Eastern
▶ Top players: Shelby Algate, Mason; Taylor Cook, St. Johns, Jasmine Reemsnyder, Mason; Marianna Rivera, Williamston; Jocelyn Shattuck, Mason; Payden Whitmore, Haslett
EASTERN
▶ Last season: 1-1-10
▶ Coach: Tiffany Isham (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Avyanna Vidal (sr.) S, Kenna Bartlett (sr.) MH, Alivia Brayton (sr.) L
▶ Other contributors: Nevaeh Reed (jr.) MH
▶ Outlook: The Quakers are focused on having a growth mindset and have a more competitive outlook fpr the season. Eastern hopes the foundation laid this season will lead to an improved future.
HASLETT
▶ Last season: 4-6 (4th)
▶ Coach: Tennille Whitmore (5th season)
▶ Top returners: Payden Whitmore (jr.) S/OH, Durrgen McIntosh (sr.) OH/M, Abby Brooks (sr.) L/DS
▶ Other contributors: Riley Wheeler (so.) OH/RS, Lilah Dubose (jr..) M, Calista Blue (so.) M
▶ Outlook: Payden Whitmore is a third-year varsity player and earned all-league recognition last season. McIntosh and Brooks are other key players back for Haslett, which will have a lot of new faces contributing.
FOWLERVILLE
▶ Last season: 4th
▶ Coach: Michelle Hardenbrook
▶ Top returners: Meadow Browne (jr.) MH, Tommi Kleinschmidt (jr.) OH, Morgan Thomas (jr.) S
▶ Other contributors: Payton McConnaughey (jr.) L, Maggie Buurma (jr.) MH, Izzy Cox (jr.) OH
▶ Outlook: Browne, Kleinschmidt and Thomas are part of a core of five juniors and a sophomore the Gladiators will have in their starting lineup. Buurma, Cox and McConnaughey are newcomers expected to help Fowlerville.
MASON
▶ Last season: 3rd
▶ Coach: Elisa Zwick (26th season)
▶ Top returners: Jasmine Reemsnyder (sr.) OH, Jocelyn Shattuck S, Ashlynn Putman (sr.) OH/MH, Molly Murgittroyd (sr.) MH/OH, Shelby Algate (jr.) MH, Sydney Roche (jr.) L
▶ Other contributors: Sarah Hebert (jr.), McKayla Chaney (jr.), Reese Ball (jr.), Ava Greenlee (jr.), Juliette Smoker (fr.), Delaney Cutter (fr.)
▶ Outlook: Shattuck and Reemsnyder are third-year varsity players, while Putman and Algate are among the other key returners for the Bulldogs, who will try for an improved finish in the CAAC Red.
ST. JOHNS
▶ Last season:10-0 (1st)
▶ Coach: Kelly Hutchinson (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Kenzee Dunham (sr.) L, Payton Hutchinson (sr.) S, Rylie Priest (sr.) MB, Taylor Cook (jr.) OH
▶ Outlook: Cook was first team all-league and all-region performer and is joined by Priest and Payton Hutchinson as third-year varsity players for the Redwings. Coach Hutchinson hopes that returning talent will help St. Johns be a factor in the league once again.
WILLIAMSTON
▶ Last season: 8-2 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Sarah Conklin (11th season)
▶ Top returners: Marianna Rivera (sr.) MB, Reese Gaytan (sr.) RS, Chlose Parsons (sr.) OH, Paige Plaxton (sr.) L, Jayde Billings (sr.) s
▶ Outlook: The Hornets have several key players back from their league runner-up squad, which includes a trio of third-year varsity contributors in Rivera, Gaytan and Parson. The 6-foot-5 Rivera is committed to North Dakota and was an all-league selection.
CAAC WHITE
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Lakewood, 2. Lansing Catholic, 3. Ionia, 4. Portland, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Charlotte, 7. Olivet, 8. Sexton
▶ Top players: Skye Collins, Eaton Rapids; Bella Lewis, Lansing Catholic; Abby Pickard, Lakewood; Carley Piercefield, Lakewood; Ava Wilcox, Lansing Catholic
CHARLOTTE
▶ Last season: 17-16-1, 5-5 (3rd)
▶ Coach: Stephen May (4th season)
▶ Top returners: McKenna Nichols (so.) OH, Kallie Nichols (so.) S, Haiden Stone (sr.) OH/MB, Julia Hale (sr.) L
▶ Outlook: The Orioles lost seven seniors to graduation and enter the season young and inexperienced. McKenna and Kallie Nichols and Stone are second-year varsity players and Hale is a third-year player who will lead the way.
EATON RAPIDS
▶ Last season:13-23-1 (4th)
▶ Coach: Haleigh Haddad (2nd season)
▶ Top returners: Skye Collins (sr.) S/Opp, Abby Hoag (so.) OH, Lily O’Connor (sr.) L
▶ Other contributors: Macey Hathaway (sr.) DS, Elle Lorente (fr.) MH, Avah Vozar (fr.) S/DS
▶ Outlook: Collins is a fourth-year varsity player who was a first team all-league selection last season, while Hoag and O’Connor earned honorable mention accolades. With the momentum established last season, the Greyhounds hope to build on that with five other returners and a talented freshman class. Haddad sees a bright future and hopes Eaton Rapids continues its growth.
LAKEWOOD
▶ Last season: 43-11-1 (1st GLAC)
▶ Coach: Cameron Rowland (6th season)
▶ Top returners: Carley Piercefield (sr.) L, Abby Pickard (jr.) S/OH, Cadence Poll (sr.) MB, Alivia Everitt (sr.) MB, Maryssa Goble (sr.) OH, Emma Duffy (so.) S/OH
▶ Other contributors: Jolee Gardner (sr.) DS/OH, Jazzy Stewart (sr.) DS, Eva Stowell (so.) DS/OH, Hayden Bump (fr.) DS, Camyla Copelin (fr.) S/OH
▶ Outlook: The Vikings have been a fixture among the top teams in Division 2 and look to continue that trend. Piercefield is committed to Western Michigan and Pickard is attracting plenty of Division I interest for Lakewood, which will look to claim a 21st straight league title while transitioning from the GLAC to the CAAC White.
LANSING CATHOLIC
▶ Last season: 43-4-6 (1st)
▶ Coach: Kevin McMillan (4th season)
▶ Top returners: Ava Wilcox (sr.) OH, Bella Lewis (jr.) S, McKenna Snitgen (sr.) OH, Eleni Lahanas (sr.) MH/RS, Adela Escoiido (sr.) DS/L
▶ Other contributors: Addison Prosen (so.) DS/L, Leighton Marlan (fr.) S, Chloe Reece (so.) RS, Kyra Vukovic (fr.) MH, Ella Pricco (jr.) MH, Sarah Tolfree (fr.) DS/L
▶ Outlook: Wilcox has several college offers and is a returning all-state player who will be among the keys for a Cougar team with high expectations once again. Lewis also is a returning all-league player and part of a core of veterans. McMillan said Lansing Catholic also has plenty of intriguing young talent and believes the pieces are in place for another strong season.
OLIVET
▶ Last season: 17-16 (4th GLAC)
▶ Coaches: Kim Lehman, Bailey Hoffman (4th season)
▶ Top returners: Taylor Peters (sr.) DS, Mykenzie Lake (so.) M, Keira Alberts (sr.) L, Karley King 9sr.) M
▶ Other contributors: Cassie Coleman (jr.) S, Celina Sinclair (so.) OH, Magan Priesman (so.) R
▶ Outlook: The Eagles lost one of their veterans in Kara Priddy to a season-ending ACL injury but do have another three-year varsity player in Peters. Olivet will work to rebuild with defensive experience and young players at the net as it transitions to the CAAC.
PORTLAND
▶ Last season: 20-20-3 (5th)
▶ Coach: Jason Zeek (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Jaylee Pitchford (sr.) OH, McKenna Boykin (so.) MH, Allie Sutberry (so.) S, Anna Babcock (jr.) S, Lillianna Spenski (jr.) L/DS, Lexie Huhn (jr.), Cynthia Darunday
▶ Other contributors: Makayla Evansen (so.) OH, Anatasia Seidelman (jr.) L/DS
▶ Outlook: Pitchford is the lone senior and a third-year varsity player for the Raiders. She will be one of the leaders for a young team transitioning to a new coach. Evansen and Seidelman have made early contributions.
SEXTON
▶ Last season: 0-10 (6th)
▶ Coach: Linnett Gardner (11th season)
▶ Top returners: Maccia Velasquez (sr.) S, Amaya Rodriguez (sr.) OH, Monasha Jones (sr.) DS, Zionae White (sr.) OH
▶ Other contributor: Cayla Bouyer (fr.)
▶ Outlook: The J-Dubbs hope to play competitive volleyball and keep improving.
CMAC
▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2. Dansville, 3. Fowler, T-4. Bath, T-4. Laingsburg, T-6. Lansing Christian, T-6. Portland St. Patrick, 8. Potterville, 9. Saranac, 10. Perry
▶ Top players: Saige Martin, Pewamo-Westphalia; Elle McCrackin, Bath; Taylor Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia; Christina Williams, Dansville; Megan Zeitz, Dansville
BATH
▶ Last season: 25-21-5, 7-4 (T-2nd)
▶ Coach: Kristen McIntyre (45th season)
▶ Top players: Elle McCrackin (sr.) OH/L, Isabel Morris (sr.) OH, Sophie Van Norman (jr.) MH, Hannah Norton (jr.) S/RS/MH, Madison Wagner (jr.) S/DS, Jenna Blundy (sr.) DS/MH
▶ Other contributors: Maci McCrimmon (so.) S/RS/MH, Isabelle Cokonougher (jr.) RS, Jordan Look (jr.) DS
▶ Outlook: McCrackin, who was a first team all-league performer last fall, and Morris are fourth-year varsity players and part of a core group of returners who will lead the way for Bath as it aims to be among the top finishers in a challenging CMAC.
DANSVILLE
▶ Last season: 32-17-2 (2nd)
▶ Coach: Megan Greenberg (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Reeghan Griffith (sr.) S, Anna McDaniel (sr.) L, Christina Williams (sr.) MB, Megan Zeitz (sr.) MB
▶ Other contributors: Faith Caroen (jr.) DS, Ryan Simpson (jr.) OH, Maggie vanHartesvelt (so.) Opp, Taylor Doerr (so.) OH, Hope Service (so.) OH/MB
▶ Outlook: Griffith, McDaniel, Williams and Zeitz form a strong core of seniors back from a Aggie squad that was one of the best in the CMAC last season. Williams, Zeitz and Griffith are returning all-league players and will try to lead the way as Dansville pushes for another strong showing in the CMAC and a third straight district championship.
FOWLER
▶ Last season: 6-3 (5th)
▶ Coach: Patty Feldpausch (15th season)
▶ Top returners: Makenna Smith (sr.) L, Bri Halfmann (sr.) M
▶ Other contributors: Anna Andros (jr.) OH, Brooke Weber (jr.) OH, Neelah O’Rourke (so.) S, Paige Thelen (so.) M
▶ Outlook: The Eagles lost nine seniors from last fall and will look to rebuild. Smith and Halfmann are returning starters who will be key. Feldpausch said defense and tough serving will also be important to Fowler getting wins in a competitive CMAC.
LAINGSBURG
▶ Last season:15-22-3 (4th)
▶ Coach: Kelsey Jones (2nd season)
▶ Top returners: Bella Strieff (sr.) OH, Brynn Wilson (sr.) S/RS, Sophie Freeman (sr.) MH/OH, Callie Clark (sr.) DS
▶ Other contributor: Ivy Collier (jr.) S
▶ Outlook: The Wolfpack hope to combine a lot of individual talent to form good team chemistry as it aims to be in the mix with the top teams in the CMAC. Strieff and Wilson are four-year varsity players who lead Laingsburg’s returners.
PERRY
▶ Last season: 9-27-5, 1-5 GLAC (6th)
▶ Coach: Sarah Coning (4th season)
▶ Top returners: Sian Palmer (sr.) OH, Autumn Wellman (sr.) MH
▶ Outlook: Wellman and Palmer are third-year varsity players who will lead the Ramblers.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
▶ Last season: 46-2-2 (1st)
▶ Coach: Jon Thelen (9th season)
▶ Top returners: Taylor Smith (sr.) S, Saige Martin (sr.) M, Carolyn Hengesbach (sr.) L, Addison Trieweiler (sr.) DS
▶ Other contributors: Anna Platte (so.) OH, Natalie Thelen (jr.) OH, Ally Nurenberg (so.) RS
▶ Outlook: After ending last season as the Division 3 state champion, the Pirates have high expectations once again with several key contributors back. Smith, an Eastern Michigan commit, and Martin are returning all-state selections, while Hengesbach earned all-region accolades. With four starters back combined with younger talent, P-W is working to try to successfully defend its state title.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
▶ Last season: 25-16-2 (6th)
▶ Coach: Nicole Easlick (3rd season)
▶ Top returners: Tori Sandborn (sr) L, Marley Weems (sr.) MH
▶ Other contributors: Bella Russman (jr.) OH, Kenzie Fedewa (jr.) OH
▶ Outlook: Sandborn earned second team all-CMAC honors last season and Weems is a returner with strong blocking skills for the Shamrocks, who are coming off a Division 4 state quarterfinal appearance. Improving their finish in the CMAC and making another deep state tournament run are goals for St. Patrick.
OTHERS
FULTON
▶ Last season: 14-18-5 (4th MSAC)
▶ Coach: Holly Malek (8th season)
▶ Top returners: Alayna Smolinski (sr.) RS, Morgan Schmid (sr.) DS
▶ Other contributors: Kaya Canfield (jr.) S, Jaci Canfield (jr.) MH, Kendra Pfeil (jr.) OH, Lyndsey Sheahan (jr.) MH, Dayten Lambert (so.) OH, Baeley Vandervest (jr.) DS, Lynnae Podolak (so.) L/DS
▶ Outlook: The Pirates have a young team but Malek said there is great talent and is looing forward to what the season brings.
OVID-ELSIE
▶ Coach: Angela Ehle (1st season)
▶ Top returners: Hailee Campbell (sr.) MH, Ellyanna Carman (jr.) RH
▶ Other contributors: Braedon Tokar (sr.) MH, Kyden Ehle (jr.) S, Ashton Ehle (so.) OH
▶ Outlook: The Marauders hope to challenge for a league title with an athletic squad that doesn’t have a lot of volleyball experience. Campbell is a third-year varsity player and leads the returners. Kyden Ehle and Ashton Ehle are newcomers from Oscoda where both were all-league players and both will be among the contributors. Kyden Ehle earned Division 3 honorable mention all-state recognition.
OWOSSO
▶ Last season: 22-11-10 (3rd Flint Metro)
▶ Coach: Stephen Fitzpatrick (5th season)
▶ Top returners: Reese Thayer (sr.) S, Peyton Spicer (sr.) OH
▶ Other contributors: Gabi Hufnagel (so.) MH, Ady Freeman (fr.) Opp
▶ Outlook: Spicer and Thayer are returning all-league performers for the Trojans, who have visions of getting closer to the top of the Flint Metro League. Owosso will also lean on some young players to make an impact.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @brian_calloway. Bill Khan contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school volleyball overview
