Get to know Greater Lansing's high school volleyball teams

Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal
·13 min read

Here is an overview of the high school volleyball teams in Greater Lansing. This reflects information submitted by area coaches.

CAAC BLUE

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Okemos, 2. DeWitt, 3. Grand Ledge, 4. Holt, 5. East Lansing, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett

▶ Top players: Grace Grew, Grand Ledge; Grace Laubenthal, Holt; Kayla Ozanich, Okemos; Ali Pignataro, Okemos; Naomi Sowa, East Lansing; Gabrielle Stafford, DeWitt; Taylor Stephens, Okemos

DEWITT

▶ Last season: 16-17-1, 9-3 (3rd)

▶ Coach: Carley Robertson (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Gabrielle Stafford (sr.) OH, Taylor Reha (sr.) S

▶ Other contributors: Alex Charles (sr.), Keena Sosa (so.), Cali Stevons (so.)

▶ Outlook: Stafford is committed to play at Adelphi and is a third-year varsity player, while Reha was an all-region performer for the Panthers, who will try to be in the mix for a CAAC Blue title. Robertson said DeWitt has new faces on offense who can be very explosive and a tall front line that presents the opportunity to be aggressive at the net.

EAST LANSING

▶ Last season: 4-8 (5th)

▶ Coach: Heather Stanley (6th season)

▶ Top returners: Naomi Sowa (sr.) L, Hannah Smith (sr.) S, Corinne Neil (jr.) S

▶ Other contributors: Ariyanna Johnson (fr.) MB, Netaya Witherspoon (sr.) MB

▶ Outlook: Sowa is a two-time all-league selection, while Smith and Neil are third-year varsity players who will lead the Trojans.

GRAND LEDGE

Grand Ledge's Kylie Goodman hits the ball during the first set in the game against DeWitt on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, at East Lansing High School.
Grand Ledge's Kylie Goodman hits the ball during the first set in the game against DeWitt on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, at East Lansing High School.

▶ Last season: 9-3 (2nd)

▶ Coach: Matthew Cox (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Grace Grew (sr.) S, Angelia Cutt (sr.) RS, Izzy Gonzalez (sr.) DS, Kylie Goodman (so.) OH, Olivia Langin (so.) S

▶ Other contributors: Jayda Stocker (jr.) MB, Madison Bartlett (jr.) OH, Sienna Lake (jr.) DS, Abby Blastic (so.) MB

▶ Outlook: Grew earned all-league honors last fall and joins Cutts and Gonzalez as all-league selections for the Comets, who are coming off a season that featured a Division 1 district title. Goodman and Langin are also part of that core back for Grand Ledge, which hopes to build off its success. Grew is out for the season with an ACL tear, but Cox likes the potential on the Grand Ledge roster.

HOLT

▶ Last season: 9-18-2, 6-6 (4th)

▶ Coach: Billie Jo Olcheske (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Grace Laubenthal (sr.) OH, Isabella Scott (sr.) OH, Sadie Laubenthal (so.) MH, Ryan Vandlen (sr.) RH, Abby Murar (sr.) DS

▶ Other contributors: Claire Tobias (jr.) L, Libby Baswell (so.) MH, Jaylyn Wilder (jr.) DS/S, Sophia Anderson (so.) S

▶ Outlook: The Rams lost seven seniors to graduation and are reloading. Olcheske likes the leadership in her senior class, which includes a returning all-leaguer in Grace Laubenthal. Holt hopes to improve its finish in the CAAC Blue and find postseason success.

OKEMOS

Okemos' Ali Pignataro, left, and Kennedi North go to block a Skyline hit during the third set on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at DeWitt High School.
Okemos' Ali Pignataro, left, and Kennedi North go to block a Skyline hit during the third set on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at DeWitt High School.

▶ Last season: 1st

▶ Coaches: Jamie Ianni, Allison Cironi, Alexandria Williams

▶ Top returners: Taylor Stephens (sr.) OH, Kayla Ozanich (sr.) MB, Kennedi North (sr.) MB, Ali Pignataro (sr.) S, Mia Mardsen (jr.) OH/Opp

▶ Other contributor: Sue Flores (jr.) OH/Opp

▶ Outlook: The Wolves have a strong nucleus back from a squad that won the CAAC Blue and a Division 1 district crown last season. Stephens is a returning honorable mention all-state player who has been a team MVP the last several seasons, while Ozanich and Pignataro earned all-region accolades. The Wolves are chasing another strong fall.

CAAC RED

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. St. Johns, 2. Haslett, 3. Mason, 4. Williamston, 5. Fowlerville, 6. Eastern

▶ Top players: Taylor Cook, St. Johns; Ellie Humble, Haslett; Karsyn Near, St. Johns; Jocelyn Shattuck, Mason; Allie Sundberg, St. Johns; Kendall White, St. Johns

HASLETT

▶ Last season: 17-24-1 (4th)

▶ Coach: Tennille Whitmore

▶ Top returners: Elle Humble (sr.) OH, Emily Homan (sr.) MH, Payden Whitmore (so.) OH/S, Grace Isenhath (sr.) OH/S, Brianna Nedwick (sr.) M/OH, Parker Rosenbaum (sr.) DS/L

▶ Other contributors: Abby Brooks (jr.) DS, Kelsey Pavlik (sr.) MH/RS

▶ Outlook: Humble is a third-year varsity played who earned all-league honors, while Homan also returns as an all-conference player for the Vikings. Coach Whitmore is excited about Haslett’s potential and expected to see lots of growth from week to week.

MASON

Mason freshman Jocely Shattuck sets the ball against Okemos Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, during the district quarterfinal at Haslett. Okemos won 3-0.
Mason freshman Jocely Shattuck sets the ball against Okemos Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, during the district quarterfinal at Haslett. Okemos won 3-0.

▶ Last season: 2nd

▶ Coach: Elisa Zwick (25th season)

▶ Top returners: Sophie Wright (sr.) MH, Jocelyn Shattuck (so.) S, Jasmine Reemsnyder (jr.) L/OH, Tori Lator (so.) RH, Cadence Suratio (sr.) DS

▶ Other contributors: Shelby Algate (so.) MH, Sydney Roche (so.) DS/L, Molly Murgittroyd (jr.) OH/MH, Josi Lator (fr.) OH, Ashlynn Putnam (jr.) Opp/MH

▶ Outlook: The Bulldogs will be led by a core of second-year varsity players. Wright and Shattuck earned all-league recognition last season for Mason, which will try to be in mix for a league title.

ST. JOHNS

▶ Last season: 24-14-5 (1st)

▶ Coach: Katy White (15th season)

▶ Top returners: Kendall White (sr.) L, Karsyn Near (sr.) S, Allie Sundberg (sr.) OH, Taylor Cook (so.) OH, Rylie Priest (jr.) MB, Reese Michalski (sr.) RS, Kennedy Sturgis (sr.) DS, Payton Hutchinson (jr.) S

▶ Other contributors: Kenzee Dunham (jr.)

▶ Outlook: Expectations are high for the Redwings with 12 returning players. Among the returners is an honorable mention all-state performer in Kendall White and all-league selections in Near, Sundberg and Cook. Coach White said St. Johns will take things one step at a time as it chases its big goals.

WILLIAMSTON

▶ Last season: 6-4 (3rd)

▶ Coach: Sarah Conklin (10 th season)

▶ Top returners: Lili McGuire (sr.) OH, Meah Palmatier (sr.) S, Leisya Newell (sr.) MB, Maggie Sinke (sr.) L, Marianna Rivera (jr.) MB

▶ Outlook: McGuire and Palmatier are third-year varsity players who were all-league selections last season for the Hornets. Rivera also is a returning all-league performer for Williamston, which captured a regional title last fall.

CAAC WHITE

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Lansing Catholic, 2. Ionia, 3. Portland, 4. Eaton Rapids, 5. Charlotte, 6. Sexton

▶ Top players: Tess Griffith, Ionia; Emily Gulock, Lansing Catholic; Isabella Schutz, Lansing Catholic; Rachel Steele, Eaton Rapids; Ava Wilcox, Lansing Catholic

CHARLOTTE

▶ Last season: 3-24

▶ Coach: Stephen May (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Julie May (sr.) S, Katelynn Davis (sr.) OH,

▶ Outlook: The Orioles matched their win total from last season in their opening week of the season. May and Davis are fourth-year varsity players who earned all-league honors last fall and will lead Charlotte.

EATON RAPIDS

▶ Last season: 11-23-3 (4th)

▶ Coach: Haleigh Haddad (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Rachel Steele (sr.) OH, Syke Collins (jr.) S, Ashley Brown (sr.) MB

▶ Other contributors: Abby Hoag (fr.) OH, Emily Fuller (so.) MB, Liliana O’Connor (jr.) DS, Cadence McGuirt (sr.) DS

▶ Outlook: Steele is a fourth-year varsity player who earned honorable mention all-state recognition in Division 2 and leads the talent back for the Greyhounds. She is joined by third-year varsity players Collins and Brown. Haddas will lead that trio and a strong group of newcomers to help Eaton Rapids to success.

IONIA

Ionia's Tess Griffith, right, spikes the ball as Lansing Catholic's Nina Hufnagel defends during the first set on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Lansing Catholic High School.
Ionia's Tess Griffith, right, spikes the ball as Lansing Catholic's Nina Hufnagel defends during the first set on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Lansing Catholic High School.

▶ Last season: 35-6-1 (T-1st)

▶ Coach: Heidi Wenzel (2nd season)

▶ Top returners: Tess Griffith (sr.) OH, Londyn Brown (sr.) L

▶ Other contributor: Rajalyaj Esquivel (sr.) MH

▶ Outlook: The Bulldogs hope to build on the momentum they established at the end of last season when they claimed a share of the CAAC White crown. Griffith is a returning all-leaguer and among the key pieces back. Ionia has several other players stepping into new and key roles. Wenzel has high expectations again for her squad.

LANSING CATHOLIC

Lansing Catholic's Isabella Schultz, left, and Cady Kooney close in on the ball during the volleyball match against Ionia on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Lansing Catholic High School. The Cougars won the match 3 sets to 1.
Lansing Catholic's Isabella Schultz, left, and Cady Kooney close in on the ball during the volleyball match against Ionia on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Lansing Catholic High School. The Cougars won the match 3 sets to 1.

▶ Last season: 44-4-1 (T-1st)

▶ Coach: Kevin McMillan (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Cady Kooney (sr.) OH, Nina Hufnagel (sr.) MB/RS, Nicole Deluca (sr.) OH/RS, Isabella Schultz (sr.) L, Emilia Gulock (sr.) MB, Ava Wilcox (jr.) OH,

▶ Other contributors: Eleni Lahanas (jr.) MB/RS, McKayla Paul (jr.) S, Bella Lewis (so.) S

▶ Outlook: The Cougars had a historic 2021 season and have several of key returning players. That includes a senior class featuring five returners in all-league performers Kooney, Hufnagel, Schultz (Thomas More commit) and Gulock (Northern Michigan commit). Wilcox also is a returning all-league player for Lansing Catholic, which has improved at every position in the eyes of McMillan. A few newcomers will be in the mix as the Cougars replace four-year varsity setter Hailey Bres. McMillan is excited about the possibilities as Lansing Catholic aims to add to its success.

PORTLAND

▶ Last season: 25-15-4, 6-5 (3rd)

▶ Coach: Jody Babcock (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Abbey Pohl (sr.) MH, Piper Groesser (sr.) RH, Lauren Rowe (sr.) OH

▶ Other contributors: Joylee Pitchford (jr.) OH, McKenna Boykin (fr.) MH

▶ Outlook: Rowe earned honorable mention all-league honors last season for the Raiders. Portland is working toward being competitive with a mix of seasoned and novice varsity players.

CMAC

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2. Fowler, 3. Dansville, 4. Bath, 5. Laingsburg, 6. Potterville, 7. Portland St. Patrick, 8. Saranac

▶ Top players: Annabelle Klusack, Bath; Kourtney Mack, Dansville; Saige Martin, Pewamo-Westphalia; Dani Pohl, Pewamo-Westphalia; Taylor Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia; Anna Vanneste, Fowler

BATH

▶ Last season: 18-13-4, 6-5 (4th)

▶ Coach: Kristen McIntyre (44th season)

▶ Top returners: Annabelle Klusack (sr.) OH, Madlyn Johnson (sr.) S, Elle McCrackin (jr.) OH, Isabel Morris (jr.) RS/MH, Eliana Johnson (sr.) MH/RS

▶ Outlook: Klusack is a fourth-year varsity player who earned second team all-CMAC honors last season. The Bees also have several third-year varsity players in McCrackin, Morris and Eliana Johnson. With a core of returning athletes, the Bees hope to improve their finish in the CMAC.

DANSVILLE

▶ Last season: 33-10, 6-2 (3rd)

▶ Coach: Rashonda Schild (5th season)

▶ Top returners: Kourtney Mack (sr.) OH/L, Reeghan Griffith (jr.) S, Christina Williams (jr.) MB, Megan Zietz (jr.) MB, Claudia Thayer (sr.) OH/L, Gracie Taylor (sr.) L, Anna McDaniel (jr.) DS

▶ Other contributors: Violet Hacker (jr.) Opp, Chloe Moore (so.) RT

▶ Outlook: The Aggies are coming off a strong 2021 that included a district title and hope to find more success. Mack leads the talent back as a third-year varsity performer who has earned all-CMAC accolades. Schild said her team has strength at the net and back row and expects Dansville to compete strongly this fall.

FOWLER

▶ Last season: 29-17 (2nd)

▶ Coach: Patty Feldpausch (14th season)

▶ Top returners: Anna Vanneste (sr.) OH, Candie Myers (sr.) OH/M, Taylor Weber (sr.) M, Avery Koenigsknecht (sr.) L, Carly Andros (sr.) S

▶ Other contributors: Bri Halfmann (jr.) OH/M, Makenna Smith (jr.) L

▶ Outlook: Vanneste earned all-state recognition in Division 4 last season and is among nine seniors on the roster for the Eagles. Fowler expects to be competitive.

LAINGSBURG

▶ Last season: 5th

▶ Coach: Kelsey Jones (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Ellie Baynes (sr.) M, Brynn Wilson (jr.) S, Bella Strieff (jr.) OH

▶ Other contributors: Sophie Freeman (jr.) M, Maggie Willoughby (sr.) OH/DS, Ashley Bila (jr.) DS

▶ Outlook: Baynes, Wilson and Strieff are third-year varsity players who will lead the Wolfpack as they rebuild and work to achieve their goals.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Pewamo-Westphalia's Taylor Smith sets the ball against Napoleon Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, during the regional final at Dansville. P-W won 3-2.
Pewamo-Westphalia's Taylor Smith sets the ball against Napoleon Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, during the regional final at Dansville. P-W won 3-2.

▶ Last season: 34-4-3 (1st)

▶ Coach: Jon Thelen (8th season)

▶ Top returners: Dani Pohl (sr.) OH, Taylor Smith (jr.) S, Saige Martin (jr.) MH, Sierra Schneider (sr.) MH

▶ Other contributors: Caroline Hengesbach (jr.) L

▶ Outlook: Pohl, a Belmont Abbey College commit, and Smith are returning all-state performers for the Pirates, who made a run to the Division 3 quarterfinals last season. P-W also returns all-league performers in Martin and Schneider. The goals are high for the Pirates with every hitter and the setter back from last year. P-W expects to build off that success and compete for a state title.

SARANAC

▶ Coach: Amy Miles (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Maddy Hesche (sr.) OH, Kaydence Mutschler (sr.) MH, Grace Hopkins (sr.) DS, Brenna Simmons (sr.) S/RS, Maddie Huhn (sr.) RS

▶ Other contributors: Natalie Tucker (jr.) MH, Delany Reagan (jr.) OH

▶ Outlook: A core of seniors will lead the way for the Red Hawks, including Huhn, a third-year varsity player.

GLAC

▶ Coaches' predictions: 1. Lakewood, 2. Lansing Christian, 3. Olivet, 4. Perry, 5. Stockbridge, 6. Leslie, 7. Maple Valley

▶ Top players: Abby Pickard, Lakewood; Carley Piercefield, Lakewood; Katelynn Rottman, Lansing Christian; Sarah Rottman, Lansing Christian

LAKEWOOD

Lakewood's Carley Piercefield hits the ball in the game against Onsted during the first set on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, at Williamston High School.
Lakewood's Carley Piercefield hits the ball in the game against Onsted during the first set on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, at Williamston High School.

▶ Last season: 40-13 (1st)

▶ Coach: Cameron Rowland (5th season)

▶ Top returners: Carley Piercefield (jr.) L, Skylar Bump (sr.) S/OH, Alli Pichard (sr.) DS, Abby Pickard (so.), Ellie Possehn (sr.) MB/OH, Paige Wolverton (sr.) DS, Bailey Fifelski (sr.) OH/DS, Liv Everitt (jr.) OH/MB, Liv Woodman (sr.) OH

▶ Other contributors: Cadence Poll (jr.) MB, Maryssa Goble (jr.) OH, Emma Duffy (fr.) S, Izzy Wheeler (sr.) OH/MB/DS

▶ Outlook: Piercefield is a returning all-state performer back from a Viking squad that reached the Final Four for a sixth straight season last fall. Bump and Alli Pickard are other returning all-league performers for Lakewood. Rowland said his team will need to continue to get better to achieve the things it is capable of. The goals remain high and Lakewood wants to be in the mix for a state championship again.

LANSING CHRISTIAN

▶ Last season: 27-7-2 (2nd)

▶ Coach: Sarah Rottman (1st)

▶ Top returners: Madelynn Rottman (sr.) S, Katelynn Rottman (jr.) OH/DS, Eliza Wortz (sr.) MB, Grace Leavitt (sr.) Opp, Audra Usiak (sr.) S/L, Ava Waldron (jr.) L/DS

▶ Other contributors: Anna Jackson (jr.) OH/DS, Lydia Brogan (so.) MB

▶ Outlook: Madelynn Rottman was a Division 4 all-state selection last season and is joined on the Pilgrim roster by returning All-GLAC performers Katelynn Rottman, Wortz and Leavitt. Coach Rottman, who takes over after two seasons as an assistant, said new additions like Jackson and Brogan are ready to be big contributors and help Lansing Christian in its push for success.

OLIVET

▶ Last season: 4th

▶ Coaches: Mallory Wooden/Kim Lehman (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Megan Neitzel (sr.) S, Kara Priddy (jr.) M

▶ Other contributor: Alyssa Kennedy (sr.) LB

▶ Outlook: Priddy and Netzel are second-year varsity players who were all-league selections last fall. With a roster featuring four seniors and two returning juniors, Wooden and Lehman see a large amount of potential for this fall.

OTHERS

OVID-ELSIE

▶ Last season: 7-8-1 (2nd MMAC)

▶ Coach: Caron Meister (1st season)

▶ Top returners: Olivia Burt (sr.) OH/RH, Hadley Bukantis (sr.) S, Hailee Campbell (jr.) MH

▶ Other contributors: Maddisyn Miller (jr.) OH/RH, Ellyanna Carman (so.) OH, Emma Newman (jr.) MH

▶ Outlook: Burt, Bukantis and Campbell are key varsity veterans back for the Marauders, who hope to win a conference title. Meister said getting better with every opportunity available is a focus for her program.

OWOSSO

▶ Last season: 14-27-4 (8th Flint Metro)

▶ Coach: Stephen Fitzpatrick (4th season)

▶ Top returners: Kendall Ihm (sr.) Opp/S, Brielle Sovis (sr.) OH/DS, Reese Thayer (jr.) S, Peyton Spicer (jr.) Opp

▶ Other contributors: Mallory Dennis (sr.) MH

▶ Outlook: The Trojans shook off a disappointing showing in Flint Metro play by making a run to a district final last season. Owosso hopes to build on that finish and hopes for an improved season. Ihm has garnered college interest and is a returning all-league and all-region performer who will lead the way. Sovis and Spicer earned all-league accolades last fall and join Thayer as varsity veterans.

WEBBERVILLE

▶ Coach: Brooke Kemler (3rd season)

▶ Top returners: Taylor Wyatt (jr.) OH, Ryleigh Nelson (jr.) M

▶ Outlook: Wyatt and Nelson are returning first-team all-league performers for the Spartans, who are playing as an independent this season. Kemler said Webberville is building after losing six seniors to graduation.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Greater Lansing high school volleyball overview