Baseball on the Infield Dirt

HOLT – In order for the Holt baseball team to make school history, coach Nate Potts knew his team would have to play some of its best innings early in Saturday’s Division 1 regional tournament.

One win would give this Rams club the most ever in a season. Another victory would give them their first regional title in school history.

But awaiting Holt in the semifinals was No. 6-ranked Howell, and the Highlanders had plans of their own.

After taking a 2-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning, the Rams eventually fell short to Howell, 6-4, in the opening round of the regional tournament held at Holt High School.

“Howell comes out of one of the toughest districts in the State of Michigan,” said Potts, whose team tied the 2005 and 2012 teams for most wins a season (30). “There’s always a good chance that whoever comes out of this region goes all the way to the finals. And we knew that.

“For us to get what we got out of them today was remarkable. …I was proud of the way we came out, and I was proud of the way we finished.”

Okemos’ A.J. Matusz delivers a pitch against Portage Northern in their Division 1 regional semifinal game Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Holt High School. Okemos fell 13-3.

Holt jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Burrell Jones’ stand-up triple scored Tyler Brown. The Rams (30-10) tacked on another run in the bottom of the third after Jesse Heikkinen’s sacrifice fly brought in Drew Stavischeck from third.

Despite the fact that a ground-rule double from the Highlanders’ Bryan Rendell negated two runs in the top of the fifth, Howell went on to score three runs in the inning and never trailed again.

“I think they got a lot of momentum there,” said Heikkinen, a Michigan State commit, who recorded four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work on the mound. “We kept fighting. We left it all out there.”

Holt, trailing 6-2, went on to add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Okemos found itself as the last remaining CAAC Blue team after the Rams went down early Saturday morning. However, in the tournament’s following game, the Chiefs eventually fell to Portage Northern, 13-3, in the bottom of the sixth.

Okemos, which won its first district title since 2007 last week, scored the game’s first run in the top of the first. After the Huskies’ Michael Lincoln walked lead-off hitter Nathan Dane, Luke Stagg’s single four batters later brought Dane home.

Portage Northern quickly tied it up on its first at-bat of the day when Tommy Henry hit a solo home run over the right-field fence. The Huskies went on to add another run before the inning was over.

Going into the top of the fourth, down 6-1, the Chiefs (12-16-2) were able to bring in two runs before two outs were recorded in the inning. Okemos had the bases loaded with just one out on the board, but a fly out by Dane and a strikeout on Billy Brehm stopped the Chiefs from threatening any further.

“It seemed like every time we got the bases full we left a couple out there, and every time they did they brought them all in,” Stagg said. “That was a big difference in the game.”

For coach Phil Magsig, watching his ball club finish the season with a postseason run was promising, as Okemos started the year 0-10-2.

“We just take it one step at a time,” he said. “That’s what’s kind of fun about districts – no matter what your record is going into it, anybody can win it. We proved it this year.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Football and Helmet on the Field

OKEMOS — Jack Wallace wants to make it easier for his players and others in mid-Michigan to get seen and learn from college football coaches.

So the Okemos football coach and athletic department are bringing the coaches to them.

Okemos will host the inaugural Best of the Best Football Camp from 6-9 p.m. Thursday with coaches from Big Ten, Mid-American, GLIAC, MIAA and in-state NAIA programs among those expected to be in attendance.

The camp is open to any student that will be in high school for the 2016-17 school year. The cost is $25 and registration can be done at Okemosathletics.net or on-site prior to the camp.

“There’s a group of young men out there that can play (Division) II and III football and what better way to get them looked at without them having to spend a ton of money to go to five, six or seven different camps every summer,” Wallace said. “We thought why not have it here and let the college coaches come here and (do it) for a minimal cost.”

Wallace and Okemos athletic director Ira Childress have been discussing for a few years a way to provide football players with exposure. Wallace said hosting the camp was a no-brainer because of the benefits it would have for student-athletes.

Childress said the focus of the camp is on overall player development. Student-athletes will have a chance to be coached in on-field drills and also listen to speeches from college coaches during the three-hour camp.

“The one thing we wanted to do is make sure we did something the right way,” Childress said. “We wanted to have something in mid-Michigan that was affordable and that they could get to. I know everybody always gets excited about the college coach aspect and that’s great, but we want them to learn and hear from college coaches and what it takes to get to the next level if that’s what you’re interested in. We’re going to talk about financial aid and we’re going to talk about the whole gamut here.”

Okemos hopes the camp becomes an annual way for athletes in mid-Michigan and beyond to learn football and more from college coaches.

“The exposure part of it for our kids – we just don’t have kids that can travel around to five, six or seven different camps at a certain cost and afford it,” Wallace said. “This is affordable, this is educational and this will be a chance for them to show their skills. I think it’s going to be great for mid-Michigan football and Okemos football and every high school in this area.”

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

Angela Palmer, of Okemos, accepts the award for Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year at the Lansing State Journal’s Greater Lansing Sports Awards Show show Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Lansing Center.

Okemos senior Angela Palmer heads to the net against Haslett June 3, 2016, during the Div. 2 Regional final at Okemos.

OKEMOS – For the first three seasons of her high school career, Angela Palmer was a contributor for multiple Okemos girls lacrosse teams that made deep runs in the postseason.

This year, however, she was the focal point. And in her senior season, Palmer gathered 60-plus points (goals and assists) and helped guide the Chiefs to the state tournament for the fifth straight year.

“When you walk into a program and you have a girl like Angela Palmer that’s a complete athlete – she’s probably the most athletic girl on the field at any given time – (it helps),” Okemos first-year coach Brandon Schwind said. “You could count on Angela when you need the ball, when you need a possession or when you need a goal.”

Palmer, the State Journal girls lacrosse player of the year, helped the Chiefs capture the CAAC title and a Division 2 regional title on her way to being named a first team all-state selection.

The senior attacker entered her final year hoping to finally get Okemos over the hump, which meant knocking off East Grand Rapids at some point in the state tournament. The Pioneers eliminated the Chiefs from the postseason each of Palmer’s first three years.

Senior looking to get Okemos girls lacrosse over hump

The two teams once again met up in the state semifinals last week, and, once again, it was the Pioneers that came out victorious.

“When the tournament started, we played every game like it was our last,” Palmer said. “You never know what can happen.

“Playing against EGR (East Grand Rapids) in our last game felt like it was the state championship. We played well against them, but they got a run and kept it going.”

Schwind, who became the program’s fourth coach in as many years, said Palmer’s senior leadership was helpful to his transition. The Chiefs, who finished the year with an 18-6 record, lost multiple starters from last season’s team to graduation and ushered in a heap of underclassmen that ended up playing key roles in the team’s success.

“She did a good job of leading the girls, especially in practice,” Schwind said. “She kept them positive.”

Palmer will continue her career next season at Central Michigan University, which she said was an opportunity she had to act on.

“To be able to have the opportunity to play at the next level is something you can’t let go,” she said. “Central is a good pick both athletically and academically for me.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Okemos girls lacrosse coach Brandon Schwind

OKEMOS – Brandon Schwind spent the past five years making his mark on the boys lacrosse scene in mid-Michigan.

The former collegiate player, who played at Wittenberg University (Division III) in Springfield, Ohio, coached the Haslett boys team from 2012-13. After that, he went on to lead Michigan State’s men’s club lacrosse team for three seasons.

However, this year, for the first time in his coaching career, Schwind tried his hand on the girl’s side of things. And he ended up leading Okemos back to the Division 2 state semifinals.

“It was very different at first, but, like any sport, you learn the rules and move forward,” Schwind said of transitioning to the girls game, which slightly differentiates, in terms of rules, from the boys. “Between the two sports, the fundamentals are the same. It wasn’t too big of a transition once it got started.”

The Chiefs, who spent much of the season with a top-10 ranking, captured both the CAAC and regional title on their way to an 18-6 record. This year marked the team’s fifth straight trip to the state tournament.

Okemos’ head coaching position has been a revolving door in recent seasons. Schwind, the State Journal girls lacrosse coach of the year, became the program’s fourth coach in as many years, and he said his team’s determination to get to the state title game made his insertion into the program a smooth process.

“For the most part, it was a pretty easy transition,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s because they’re used to having a different coach each year. I’m not sure. But they’re all nice people, so it made it pretty easy.

“I think our seniors did a great job of buying in immediately. I think they knew they had goals to accomplish as a team, and they got on board.”

The Chiefs will lose a couple key pieces next season, including State Journal player of the year Angela Palmer, but bring back a sophomore class that played a key role in their success. Schwind believes this year laid the foundation for his program moving forward.

“They got experience this year and learned the system,” Schwind said. “I’m looking forward to how we start next season.

“We feel good about (what we accomplished) this season. …But the girls on the team are hungry and they want to do better.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 Lansing State Journal girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 Lansing State Journal girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 Lansing State Journal girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 Lansing State Journal girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team

Meet the 2016 Lansing State Journal girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Grace Bielby

Alyssa Karber

Emily Renfrew

Lauren Sanford

Lauren Foltz

Mallory Keenoy

Melaina Grewal

Jordan Markowski

Rachel Madar

Bianca Kinder

Abbey Turner

Kady Waits

Angela Palmer

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls lacrosse Dream Team.

Player of the year – Angela Palmer (Okemos sr.): Division 2 first team all-state, all-conference

Coach of the year – Brandon Schwind (Okemos): Led the Chiefs to the CAAC and Division 2 regional title in first season

DREAM TEAM

Grace Bielby (Okemos so.): Division 2 first team all-state, all-conference

Melaina Grewal (Okemos so.): Division 2 second team all-state, all-conference

Mallory Keenoy (Okemos so.): Division 2 second team all-state, all-conference

Emily Renfrew (Okemos so.): Division 2 second team all-state, all-conference

Kady Waits (East Lansing so.): Division 2 first team all-state, all-conference

Rachel Madar (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 second team all-state, all-conference

Jordan Markowski (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, all-conference

Lauren Foltz (Okemos so.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, all-conference

Alyssa Karber (Okemos jr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, all-conference

Bianca Kinder (Haslett/Williamston jr.): All-conference

Lauren Sanford (Holt sr.): All-conference

Abbey Turner (Grand Ledge sr.): Honorable mention all-conference

ALL-AREA

Danyelle Hardy (Grand Ledge so.)

Jane Groetsch (Okemos sr.)

Natalie Hohlehen (East Lansing jr.)

Makayla Merony (East Lansing jr.)

Sierra Dietz (DeWitt jr.)

Adison Salisbry (DeWitt jr.)

Kaili Gozalka (Williamston/Haslett sr.)

Zosha Korzecke (East Lansing jr.)

Brooke Grabow (Holt sr.)

Savanna Bain (Williamston/Haslett sr.)

Cora Caldwell (East Lansing so.)

Coach: Bronti Belanger (Haslett/Williamston)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2016 LSJ boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Levi Petersen

Matt Rice

Cam Morin

Cole Smith

Logan Fenech

Grant Lemanski

Tucker Virkus

Mario Gonzalez

Cameron Zisholz

Josh Duren

Charlie Ciuk

Cameron Usiak

Spencer Fox

Beau Yabs

Bennett Sherman

Meet the 2016 State Journal boys lacrosse Dream Team.

Player of the year – Bennett Sherman (Okemos sr.): Division 2 first team all-state, first team all-conference

Coach of the year – Shawn Grady (Okemos): Led the Chiefs to the CAAC Blue title and the Division 2 state semifinals.

DREAM TEAM

Beau Yabs (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 third team all-state, first team all-conference

Spencer Fox (Waverly/Lansing Catholic jr.): Division 1 third team all-state, all-conference

Cameron Usiak (Okemos sr.): Division 2 first team all-state, first team all-conference

Charlie Ciuk (Okemos sr.): Division 2 second team all-state, first team all-conference

Josh Duren (Okemos sr.): Division 2 first team all-state, first team all-conference

Cameron Zisholz (Okemos sr.): Division 2 first team all-state, first team all-conference

Mario Gonzalez (Okemos jr.): Division 2 first team all-state, first team all-conference

Tucker Virkus (Haslett/Williamston sr.): Division 2 third team all-state, first team all-conference

Grant Lemanski (Haslett/Williamston sr.): Division 2 second team all-state, first team all-conference

Logan Fenech (Haslett/Williamston jr.): Division 2 third team all-state, first team all-conference

Cole Smith (East Lansing sr.): Division 2 third team all-state, honorable mention all-conference

Cam Morin (Grand Ledge sr.): First team all-conference

Matt Rice (Holt sr.): First team all-conference

Levi Petersen (Holt sr.): First team all-conference

ALL-AREA

Ryan Winsor (Holt sr.)

Joey Fata (Waverly/Lansing Catholic sr.)

Janis Grigans (Waverly/Lansing Catholic sr.)

Liam Tait (DeWitt sr.)

Alex Platte (Grand Ledge sr.)

Nate LaLumia (Grand Ledge jr.)

Michael Kransberger (DeWitt fr.)

Evan Zarotney (Waverly/Lansing Catholic so.)

Tommy Grigans (Waverly/Lansing Catholic jr.)

Davell Walker (Haslett/Williamston sr.)

Joey Ciuk (Okemos fr.)

Coach: Jacob Murphy (Haslett/Williamston)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Bennett Sherman, of Okemos, accepts the award for Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year at the Lansing State Journal’s Greater Lansing Sports Awards Show show Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Lansing Center.

Bennett Sherman,11,of Okemos lines up a shot on the Notre Dame Prep goal during its Division 2 Regional Final June 3, 2016 in DeWitt.

OKEMOS – Bennett Sherman can thank his family for his impactful prep lacrosse career.

Sherman, who grew up playing mainly football and hockey, was handed a lacrosse stick sometime in the fifth grade. His parents signed him up for a league, despite not being too familiar with the sport – a game many people claim is a mix between his two childhood favorites.

Parent’s know best.

“I just couldn’t stop playing,” Sherman said.

The senior attacker recently put a bow on one of the most decorated careers in Okemos history. Sherman, who scored more than 80 goals this season, helped the Chiefs capture their second straight Division 2 regional championship, a year after he contributed to their first-ever showing in the state championship.

LSJ boys lacrosse Dream Team, all-area team

Sherman went on to be named a first team all-state selection, as well as the State Journal boys lacrosse player of the year, after guiding Okemos to the state semifinals.

“From a talent perspective, I don’t know if we’ve had anyone better from the middle part of the state,” said Shawn Grady, who retired at the end of the year after he coached the Chiefs for 15 seasons. “He’s kind of mellow. You wouldn’t think he has one of those competitive sides to him, but it’s there.

“He’s not one of those guys that thinks you have to listen to him. He does it with style and class.”

LSJ boys lacrosse coach of the year: Okemos’ Shawn Grady

Aside from capturing the above personal accolades, Sherman said he wanted to come into the season and “carry on the legacy of the seniors” before him. Sherman nearly propelled No. 6-ranked Okemos back into the state semifinals when he netted a team-high seven goals in a 16-15 double-overtime loss to No. 5-ranked East Grand Rapids.

“It’s always a big goal to take it one step further than we did the year before,” he said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t do that. But there’s no doubt in my mind that everyone played their heart out in that last game.”

Sherman, who will attend Michigan State this fall, said he’s always wanted to follow in the footsteps of the talented players before him. And he did so by helping the Chiefs reach heights that were foreign prior to him joining the program.

“I always knew I could carry on the legacy of both the boys and girls players if I put my mind to it,” Sherman said. “I couldn’t have done (any of this) without my teammates and line mates.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Shawn Grady

OKEMOS – Shawn Grady’s love of lacrosse grew even deeper when he finished up his college career at Michigan State in the early 1980s.

After a playing stint in Chicago, Grady moved back to mid-Michigan, and along with Dale Rolley, a lacrosse aficionado from the east side of the state, the two set out to put together a program for middle school students in Okemos.

“His (Rolley’s) son was a seventh-grader, so we put together a seventh and eighth grade team,” Grady said. “Then came the next year, and all the eighth-graders said they wanted to keep playing. Dale stayed with his son … so I turned around to see if someone would volunteer and no one was there.

“I never looked back.”

It’s been 15 years since Grady helped start the boys varsity lacrosse program at Okemos High School, and he said it’s gone further than he could have imagined.

LSJ boys lacrosse Dream Team, all-area team

This year, Grady led the Chiefs to their second consecutive Division 2 regional title, which are the only two in program history, and an undefeated season in the CAAC Blue. He’s been named the State Journal boys lacrosse coach of the year.

“If you look at our school in things like soccer, tennis and water polo, they’ve always been good,” said Grady, who retired from coaching at the end of the year. “We were fortunate the last two years to be in that area so people do look at us.

“We always talk about the Chieftan way. … We always want to be known for playing hard, but we want to be known, also, for playing with style and class, and I think we had that. People always said our kids played hard and with class, but now to do that and be in the top few teams in the state every year, it’s made it amazing. We were fortunate enough to have great kids and assistants that helped make a difference in that.”

LSJ boys lacrosse player of the year: Okemos’ Bennett Sherman

Grady, who was also named the Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Association (MHSLCA) Division 2 coach of the year this season, will ride off into the sunset after recently being named an inductee for the Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Hall of Fame 2016 class. The 15-year coach ends his career with a 173-80 record.

Grady’s success as a coach of a public school team – in a sport mainly dominated by private schools – is what has helped make his career Hall of Fame worthy, and he said it’s something he never expected to happen.

“I didn’t even know (the Hall of Fame) existed when I started,” he said. “I guess it’s a sign that youreally are old. … It shows that your peers have a respect for what you’ve done. That’s really cool.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Take a look at the mid-Michigan seniors competing in the sixth annual High School Soccer Senior All-Star games.

WILLIAMSTON – A heap of mid-Michigan high school seniors are set to take part in the sixth annual High School Soccer Senior All-Star Games this week at Williamston High School.

Tickets for all games are $5 and children under 6 are free.

Below is the schedule and a list of the local players for all teams:

TODAY

Girls: Blue vs. Silver, 6 p.m.

Boys: Blue vs. Silver, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Girls: Gold vs. White, 6 p.m.

Boys: Gold vs. White, 8 p.m.

BLUE ROSTER (GIRLS)

Maggie Bever (Alma), Calli Ackles (Alma), Reyna Widman (Alma), Therese Rosalez (Alma), Bailey Malthaner (Dansville), Myranda May (Dansville), Hanna Lentz (Dansville), Parker Cook (Dansville), Sydne Everts (Dansville), Abby Workman (Ithaca), Alysa Betcher (Ithaca), Makala Skok (Laingsburg), Sara Lancour (Laingsburg), Shayne Lintemuth (Ovid-Elsie), Megan Walter (Ovid-Elsie), Courtney Loynes (Ovid-Elsie), Makenna Vincent (Ovid-Elsie), Alex Eibler (Stockbridge), Makayla Gradowski (Stockbridge)

SILVER ROSTER (GIRLS)

Clayr Owens (Bath), Lindsey Brown (Bath), April Svendson (Bath), Allie Brown (Charlotte), Lindsey Carlson (Charlotte), Skyler Randol (Ionia), Florentyna Kwasniak (Perry), Emily Fisher (Perry), Mallory Durham (Lakewood), Alexis Johnson (Lakewood), Viola Dagadu (Everett), Hailey Conine (Leslie), Preseley Seavolt (Leslie), Caitlin Bensinger (Owosso), Cece Moreno (Waverly), Sarah Miller (Waverly)

GOLD ROSTER (GIRLS)

Charley Campbell (Haslett), Abbey Bowman (Haslett), Madelyn Jean Lampman (Haslett), Kali Thompson (Mason), Marissa Pease (Mason), Whitney Luks (Mason), Elaine Burleson (Mason), Tara Gandhi (Mason), Maddie Sjolund (Mason) Jacqueline Madery (Mason), Caroline Serkaian (Okemos), Nina McAlvey (Okemos), Chloe White (Okemos), Lexi McPherson (St. Johns), Madi Schafer (St. Johns), Jasmine Barratt (St. Johns), Leah Davis (Williamston), Grace Kraft (Williamston), Sarah Tuggle (Williamston), Allison Schmuecker (Williamston), Maddy Martin (Williamston)

WHITE ROSTER (GIRLS)

Brianna Bishop (DeWitt), Allison Sims (DeWitt), Erika Curley (DeWitt), Callee Fisher (DeWitt), Sara Faverman (East Lansing), Aubrey Hogan (East Lansing), Alyssa Klump (East Lansing), Katelyn Meyer (East Lansing), Malan Norwood (East Lansing), Shannon Crilley (Lansing Catholic), Katie Burns (Lansing Catholic), Adrian Adams (Eaton Rapids), Tab Barrett (Eaton Rapids), Jordan McDonald (Eaton Rapids), Ayverie Giller (Grand Ledge), Maddie Summerfield (Grand Ledge), Alexis Hayslette (Holt), Emily Bossie (Holt), Kaitlyn Fulghum (Holt), Mackenzie Kuhn (Holt), Megan Kline (Holt)

BLUE ROSTER (BOYS)

Brevan Bender (Alma), Adam Moeggenborg (Alma), Korbin Kovac (Alma), Seth Ramirez (Alma), Kolton Kovac (Alma), Max Bos (Alma), Kamal Ali (Charlotte), Greg Dornbos (Charlotte), Coridon Witchell (Dansville), Ethan Launstein (Dansville), Aaron Moon (Ithaca), Mike Meier (Ithaca), Jacob Danek (Laingsburg), Jordan Dittrich (Laingsburg), Panashe Kahari (Eastern), Meng Vang (Eastern)

SILVER ROSTER (BOYS)

Tyler Deese (Corunna), Eli Dunn (Corunna), Donnie Praski (Corunna), Avery Baylis (Ionia), Ethan Wolbers (Ionia), Nate LeForge (Ionia), Dylan Spohr (Ionia), Kyle Stewart (Everett), Daniel Bermudez (Leslie), Kyle Danko (Leslie), Kieran Smith (Owosso), Trever Svarc (Owosso), Brendan Snyder (Owosso), Caleb Scollon (Owosso), Charles Devlin (Portland)

GOLD ROSTER (BOYS)

Riley Swails (Fowlerville), Jacob Jarvis (Fowlerville), Nate Foddrill (DeWitt), Eric Des Chenes (DeWitt), Leutrim Shefkiu (Mason), John Kingman (Mason), Holden Dippel (Mason), Christian Jordan (Mason), Andrew Sampson (St. Johns), Jake Lyon (Lansing Christian), Alex McDowell (Lansing Christian), Chase Hansen (Lansing Christian), Cole Goatley (Okemos), Nick Barr (Okemos), Josh Ward (Williamston), Brian Ganton (Williamston), Jacob Chisholm (Williamston), Eric Oesterle (Williamston)

WHITE ROSTER (BOYS)

Torsten Holland (Haslett), Harry DeHaven (Haslett), Zach Lane (East Lansing), Chris Wallace (East Lansing), Ian Carroll (East Lansing), Adrian Birge (East Lansing), Will Uecker (East Lansing), Seth Broskey (Eaton Rapids), Mike Geiger (Eaton Rapids), Zach Emerson (Grand Ledge), Anthony Patten (Grand Ledge), Hunter Edwards (Grand Ledge), Nate Brickner (Grand Ledge), Charles Smith (Holt), Chris Bonner (Holt), Jake Phillips (Lansing Catholic)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls tennis Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls tennis Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls tennis Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls tennis Dream Team.

Natasha Chinoy

Brooke Mazzolini

Amanda Perry

Kylie Kayser

Morgan Wittkopp

Brooke Butterfield

Kendra Stoepker

Jessica Hafner

Sydney Ellsworth

Kylie Wilkinson

Hannah Vogelsang

Monica Davis

Samantha Perkins

Olivia Hanover

Alisa Sabotic

Monika Francsics

Monika Francsics

Monika Francsics

Monika Francsics

Meet the 2016 LSJ girls tennis Dream Team.

Player of the year – Alisa Sabotic (Okemos so.): 32-1 at No. 1 singles, CAAC Blue champion, Division 2 regional and state champion, all-state

Coach of the year – Martin Snoap (Lakewood): Led the Vikings to the Division 3 state tournament for the first time since 2005

DREAM TEAM SINGLES

Olivia Hanover (Mason jr.): 27-3 at No. 1 singles, CAAC Red champion, Division 2 regional and state runner-up, all-state

Monika Francsics (Okemos jr.):  29-0 at No. 2 singles, CAAC Blue champion, Division 2 regional and state champion, all-state

Samantha Perkins (Mason sr.): 23-3 at No. 2 singles, CAAC Red champion, Division 2 regional runner-up, honorable mention all-state

Monica Davis (Lansing Catholic sr.): 16-6 at No. 1 singles, CAAC White champion, Division 4 regional champion

Hannah Vogelsang (Haslett sr.): 14-3 at No. 1 singles, CAAC Red runner-up, Division 3 regional champion, honorable mention all-state

Kendra Stoepker (Lakewood jr.): 18-4 at No. 1 singles, Division 3 regional runner-up

Sydney Ellsworth (Williamston jr.): 12-10 at No. 1 singles, CAAC White runner-up, Division 3 regional semifinalist

DREAM TEAM DOUBLES

Kylie Wilkinson (sr.) and Natasha Chinoy (jr.), Okemos: 21-5 at No. 1 doubles, CAAC Blue champions, Division 2 regional champions, all-state

Brooke Mazzolini (sr.) and Jessica Haffner (sr.), St. Johns: 18-2 at No. 1 doubles, CAAC Red champions, Division 2 regional semifinalists

Brooke Butterfield (jr.) and Morgan Wittkopp (jr.), Portland: 21-9 at No. 1 doubles, CAAC White champions, Division 4 regional champions and state quarterfinalists, honorable mention all-state

Kylie Kayser (sr.) and Amanda Perry (jr.), Holt: 17-11 at No. 1 doubles, CAAC Blue runners-up

Greater Lansing Sports Awards
VIDEO | ‘Thank You’s’ of the LSJ Greater Lansing Sports Awards

DIVISION 1-2 ALL-AREA SINGLES

Kiara Berry (Grand Ledge sr.)

Caroline Baidoon (East Lansing sr.)

Isabella Pizzo (Waverly so.)

Isabella Ndlebe (East Lansing sr.)

Sema Colak (Okemos fr.)

Riley Gilman (Holt fr.)

Coaches: Jim D’Angelo (Mason)/Cosette Buckberry (East Lansing)

DIVISION 3-4 ALL-AREA SINGLES

Claire Cowan (Haslett sr.)

Payton Lowery (Lakewood sr.)

Grace Mohr (Lansing Catholic sr.)

Grace Haley (Lansing Christian jr.)

Anuva Suresh (Haslett so.)

Coaches: Henry Brunnschweiler (Haslett)/Jim Niebling (Portland)

DIVISION 1-2 ALL-AREA DOUBLES

Mallory Matthews (so.) and Athena Bryer (so.), Mason

Ayesha Panda (fr.) and Nishi Patel (so.), Okemos

Clara Guggemos (so.) and Katherine Rochon (so.), Mason

Eliana Kaplowitz (sr.) and Amna Ahmad (sr.), East Lansing

Jenna Riekse (sr,) and Abbey Feenstra (sr.), Grand Ledge

DIVISION 3-4 ALL-AREA DOUBLES

Emily Pell (sr.) and Maia Guenther (jr.), Williamston

Anjani Raja (so.) and Sophia Vogelsang (so.), Haslett

Emma Saxton (so.) and Grace Castle (so.), Lansing Catholic

Madison Brennan (sr.) and Hannah McNaughton (jr.), Portland

LSJ Greater Lansing Sports Awards winners list

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII. 

Alisa Sabotic

OKEMOS – Alisa Sabotic’s tennis playing career began under the name Draga.

Around the time she was 7 years old, Sabotic played in her first tournament in place of her sister, who couldn’t participate due to illnes, at her family’s local club.

“They all knew me as a little girl playing tennis, so I don’t think they really cared,” she said.

Under her own moniker, Sabotic has become an up-and-coming name after success in the United State Tennis Association (USTA) circuit and, now, the high school ranks. The Okemos High School sophomore captured the Division 2 state title at No. 1 singles in her first year of prep tennis.

She’s been named the State Journal girls tennis player of the year.

“I was pretty confident against the competition that was available,” said Sabotic, who surveyed the opposition while watching her older sister play at Okemos. “I was aware of who I had to beat.”

Photos: LSJ Greater Lansing Sports Awards ‘A night to remember’
Greater Lansing Sports Awards

Sabotic finished her sophomore year with a 32-1 record – her only loss coming to a Division 1 opponent – and also won the CAAC Blue and regional championships.

In her state championship victory, Sabotic defeated Mason’s Olivia Hanover, who she said is a close friend and training partner. It was the third time Sabotic had beaten Hanover during the season.

“I had a feeling I would face Liv (Hanover) because I know how good she can play,” said Sabotic, who was also an all-state selection. “I was confident but, also, worried because I had played her two other times and it was close.

“It’s (high school) way different of an experience than USTA because you have the team behind you. I felt really supported.”

As a team, the Chiefs finished fifth at the state tournament. Junior Monika Francsics, who was an all-state selection at No. 2 singles, also brought home a state championship for Okemos. Sabotic said she felt at the beginning of the year that her team would be in contention.

“We had some really good freshmen this year, and some more incoming players (next year),” she added, “so I think our chances might be even greater next year.”

VIDEO | ‘Thank You’s’ of the LSJ Greater Lansing Sports Awards

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2016 State Journal girls soccer Dream Team.

Meet the 2016 State Journal girls soccer Dream Team.

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Grace Kraft

Mackenzie Dawes

Kali Thompson

Renee Sturm

Caroline Serkaian

Kloe Hitchcock

Lindsey Carlson

Jessah McManus

Olivia Trombley

Brianna Bishop

Leah Davis

Charley Campbell

Kasey Jamieson

Danielle Stephan

Meet the 2016 State Journal girls soccer Dream Team.

Player of the year – Danielle Stephan (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 first team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Coach of the year – Jordan Parks (Bath): Led the Fighting Bees to a 14-3 record in first season as coach

DREAM TEAM

Kasey Jamieson (Lansing Christian so.): Division 4 first team all-state, GLAC first team all-conference

Charley Campbell (Haslett sr.): Division 2 third team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Renee Sturm (Williamston sr.): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Leah Davis (Williamston sr.): Division 3 first team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Brianna Bishop (DeWitt sr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Olivia Trombley (St. Johns jr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Jessah McManus (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 second team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Mackenzie Dawes (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 second team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Grace Kraft (Williamston sr.): Division 3 first team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Caroline Serkaian (Okemos sr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Kali Thompson (Mason sr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Lindsey Carlson (Charlotte sr.): Division 2 third team all-state

Kloe Hitchcock (Williamston jr.): Division 3 first team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

DIVISION 1 ALL-AREA

Cassidy Pettinger (Grand Ledge fr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Allena Parker (Grand Ledge jr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Miranda Gale (Grand Ledge jr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Brittany Dale (Grand Ledge jr.): CAAC Blue honorable mention all-conference

Sara Lee (Okemos so.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Anne Major (Okemos jr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Hannah Hughes (Okemos jr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Lauren Southworth (Okemos so.): CAAC Blue honorable mention all-conference

Elizabeth Ferguson (Holt fr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Alexis Hayslette (Holt sr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Emily Hulliberger (Holt jr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Emily Bossie (Holt sr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Coach: Darus Ward (Okemos)

DIVISION 2 ALL-AREA

Brooklyn Holley (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 third team all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Lexi McPherson (St. Johns sr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Madelyn Dickens (DeWitt jr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Alex Halstead (Mason jr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Caitlin Rebera (Mason jr.): Division 2 honorable mention all-state, CAAC Red all-conference

Allison Sims (DeWitt sr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Sara Faverman (East Lansing sr.): CAAC Blue all-conference

Whitney Luks (Mason sr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Marissa Pease (Mason sr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Abbey Bowman (Haslett sr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Lilly Campbell (Haslett so.): CAAC Red all-conference

Anna Sharky (Haslett so.): CAAC Red all-conference

Chelsie Smith (St. Johns jr.): CAAC Red all-conference

Coach: Jamal Mubarakeh (DeWitt)

DIVISION 3 ALL-AREA

Sydney Hanson (Alma so.): Division 3 second team all-state

Abigail Gilmore (Lansing Catholic jr.): Division 3 third team all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Tia Everdeen (Alma so.) Division 3 honorable mention all-state

Shannon Crilley (Lansing Catholic sr.): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Jenna Chappell (Leslie so.): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, GLAC first team all-conference

Brooke Valdez (Leslie jr.): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, GLAC first team all-conference

Paige Lonier (Williamston jr.): Division 3 honorable mention all-state, CAAC White all-conference

Sarah Tuggle (Williamston sr.): CAAC White all-conference

Allison Schmuecker (Williamston sr.): CAAC White all-conference

Madison Martin (Williamston sr.): CAAC White all-conference

Makenzie Seaman (Williamston jr.): CAAC White all-conference

Katie Burns (Lansing Catholic sr.): CAAC White all-conference

Olivia Poupard (Lansing Catholic jr.): CAAC White all-conference

Coach: Jim Flore (Williamston)

DIVISION 4 ALL-AREA

Marrina Schmidt (Dansville sr.): Division 4 first team all-state

Juliana Figueiredo (Lansing Christian jr.): Division 4 first team all-state, GLAC first team all-conference

Abby Krueger (Lansing Christian jr.): Division 4 first team all-state, GLAC first team all-conference

Kealeigh Usiak (Lansing Christian fr.): Division 4 first team all-state, GLAC second team all-conference

Bailey Malthaner (Dansville sr.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Myranda May (Dansville sr.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Cassidy Ballard (Laingsburg so.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Sohpie Wilsey (Laingsburg so.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Alex Hanks (Lansing Christian so.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Eliza Lewis (Lansing Christian fr.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Lydia Sprague (Lansing Christian jr.): Division 4 honorable mention all-state

Tait Hosford (Bath fr.)

Sydni Metzmaker (Bath so.)

Coach: Joel Vande Kopple (Lansing Christian)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

East Lansing’s Taylor Manson, shown winning at the Division 1 regional May 20 in Holt, is named the State Journal’s track and field athlete of the year after a record-setting junior season with the Trojans.

EAST LANSING – Taylor Manson got a taste of success early in her prep track and field career.

As a freshman at Waverly High School, Manson was a member of the Warriors’ 800- and 1,600-meter relay teams that were victorious at the Division 2 state meet. Since then, Manson, who just finished her junior year at East Lansing, has been on a quest to get back to the top, and she nearly did so with three top-five performances at this year’s Division 1 meet.

Manson placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 53.56, which topped the previous Division 1 record and was just short of the state record, fifth in the 200-meter dash, and her 800 relay team finished third.

The junior has been named the State Journal’s girls track athlete of the year.

Male athlete of year: Lansing Catholic’s Tony Poljan

“It (my freshman year) was a motivation because I was used to winning,” she said. “And then coming to a different division against different competition, I was more determined this year.

“I didn’t get first, but I was happy with my results because my times dropped dramatically.”

Manson was confident she would be able to compete for multiple state titles after strong outings leading up to the state meet. She won the 200 and 400 events at the regional meet, and her 800 relay team was also crowned champion. A few days before states, Manson was part of three record-setting performances at the annual Greater Lansing Honor Roll meet. She ran the 200 in 24.48 seconds, the 400 in 53.98 seconds and anchored the 800 relay team that posted a time of 1:40.76.

“My times before, they were good, but I didn’t think I would drop into the 53s during the school season,” Manson said. “I was very excited about that.”

As a team, East Lansing finished third at the regional meet and tied for second in the CAAC Blue this season.

“We were confident in ourselves,” she added. “We did good this year. Last year, we messed up at the state meet; some exchanges were off. This year, we did really well. We were all really happy with our results.”

Manson is not only seeking another state title, but she has her eye on the state record in the 400. Northville senior Chloe Abbott, who edged out Manson at the state meet, set the new record with a time of 53.10.

“I feel like I can get the record because I was so close to it this year,” she said. “Next year, I feel like I can easily get first and break the record.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Pat Murray

EAST LANSING – Pat Murray wasn’t working with a full deck entering his 12th season as the East Lansing boys track coach.

Coming in, Murray expected to get contributions from some athletes that, by the start of the season, didn’t end up on the team. But the Trojans still found a way to make a splash, and it caught Murray by surprise.

After winning the CAAC Blue title and conference meet, East Lansing went on to place second at the Division 1 regional in May. It was the team’s best finish since it won the Division 2 state championship in 2011.

“I was really shocked,” said Murray, whose team tied for 14th place at the state meet. “We were short. We were putting together relays with people that I hadn’t planned on putting in the relays.

“I knew how good Rockford was and I knew how good Okemos was. … I had to convince them that second place at that regional was pretty impressive.”

Near the midway point of the season, Murray ended up tinkering with his 400-meter relay team and that, along with the emergence of one of his runners in the 1,600-meter relay, helped strengthen his belief in his team.

He told his athletes that he saw the potential after they lost a duel meet to Okemos during the season. He was hoping to get them in the right mindset for the conference meet, which they ended up edging the Chiefs by 13 points.

“I kept telling my guys that we had a chance,” he said. “I don’t know how much I believed in it, but, in track, you never know. There’s so many ups and downs.

“(Getting second at regionals) and winning the conference meet were big deals for us.”

The Trojans will lose more than a handful of key pieces from this year’s team, but return Kentre Patterson, who went on to win the state championship in the 110-meter hurdles. Murray said watching Patterson reaching his goal, after he was sidelined with mononucleosis as a sophomore, was one of the shining moments of his season.

Murray hopes the recent success of his program attracts more athletes in the near future.

“I thought if we were going to have a shot at winning the conference meet that it would be this year,” he said. “You always hope that you can convince kids to come out and be a part of a winning program. It’s a lot easier to sell a successful program.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Kate Buckland

Kate Buckland spent her entire high school softball career hoping her play on the field would result in all-state accolades.

It finally did this spring for the catcher and recent Okemos graduate, despite a rib injury that impacted her performance in the season’s early stages.

Buckland bounced back from that injury to finish the season strong and help Okemos capture a district title while earning Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association honorable mention all-state honors in Division 1.

And those all-state accolades have resulted in Buckland getting a final opportunity to represent Okemos at the MHSSCA all-star games Wednesday at Central Michigan University’s Jonker Stadium.

“I was unbelievably happy and really surprised (to get all-state) because I know coming off an injury in your senior season and to go on to be named all-state honorable mention is really hard,” Buckland said. “I was just happy and honored to finally have got that.”

Buckland is one of four players from Mid-Michigan on rosters for Wednesday’s all-star games. Ithaca’s Brooklyn Dolloff will play in the Division 3 contest, while Fulton’s Connor Proctor and Morrice’s Averi Munro will each be in the Division 4 game. Webberville’s Andy Smith is one of the coaches for the Division 3 contest.

Buckland, who will continue her softball career at Division 1 Mercer University, is looking forward to playing with some of the state’s top recently graduated seniors as she makes her final preparations for college.

“I’m just really excited for it because you get to play with the best in the state,” Buckland said. “I’ve gotten to know a couple of girls through travel ball, so getting to face off with them on the same field at the same time is going to be a really cool experience. I’m excited for it.”

Buckland, who leaves for Mercer in a month, has been focused on staying healthy and keeping up with her training, conditioning and weight lifting so she’s prepared as much as possible when she arrives on the Macon, Ga., campus.

And Buckland would like to be a part of an incoming freshman class that helps Mercer bounce back from a 23-35 season next year.

“I just want to go down there and help my team,” Buckland said. “Last season was a little bit of struggle for Mercer, but I know this year we have a really good freshman class. I’m really hoping I can really work hard to (help) improve our season and hopefully win a championship in the (Southern Conference). We’ll see.”

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

MHSSCA All-Star games

When: Wednesday (Division 1 – 9:30 a.m./ Division 2 – 11:30 a.m. / Division 3 – 1:30 p.m./ Division 4 – 3:30 p.m.)

Where: Central Michigan University’s Jonker Stadium

Mid-Michigan participants: Division 1 – Kate Buckland, Okemos; Division 3 – Brooklyn Dolloff, Ithaca / Andy Smith, Webberville coach; Division 4 – Averi Munro, Morrice / Connor Proctor, Fulton.

DeWitt’s Lexi Nordmann hits a kill past Mason’s Autumn Kissman, left, Danielle Jones (4) and Erin McDermott, right, last season. Nordmann, a Southern Methodist University commit, is one of the area players to watch in 2016.

While the 2016 high school volleyball season is still in its infancy, the State Journal has compiled a list of 10 players to keep an eye on throughout the fall in mid-Michigan.

MEREDITH NORRIS, CORUNNA (sr.): The reigning State Journal girls volleyball player of the year was a Class B first-team all-state selection last season. She also set the state record for kills in a match with 56. Norris, who will be playing at Michigan State University next season, is featured on the ALL-USA girls volleyball preseason team.

LEXI NORDMANN, DEWITT (sr.): The senior was a Class A second-team all-state honoree a season ago, as well as first-team all-conference. She’ll be playing at Southern Methodist University next season.

GABIE SHELLENBARGER, LAKEWOOD (sr.): Shellenbarger was a key part of the Vikings’ team last season that captured a Class B regional title. She was a first-team all-state selection as well as a first-team all-conference pick. Shellenbarger is committed to play at Davenport.

REBECKA POLJAN, LANSING CATHOLIC (jr.): Poljan was a force last year for the Cougars, who went 10-0 in the CAAC White. The junior is verbally committed to Michigan State.

RYAN CASTLE, OKEMOS (sr.): The Class A all-area honorable mention selection was also an all-CAAC Blue pick a year ago. Castle will be one of the returning starters to watch for on the Chiefs with the departure of Daria Richards and Rachel Thomas, two Division I players.

PAIGE PORTER, LANSING CHRISTIAN (sr.): The Pilgrims’ Porter was a Class D first-team all-state honoree in 2015. She was also first-team all-conference and helped Lansing Christian reach the regional title game.

BROOKE BINKLEY, DEWITT (jr.): As a sophomore, Binkley was pivotal to the Panthers’ success in 2015. The setter was a Class A all-area selection as well as an all-CAAC Red pick.

BAILEY CANTRELL, MASON (sr.): The Mason senior was an all-league selection last season and helped the Bulldogs capture a share of the CAAC Red title. With two Division I players gone to graduation, she’ll lead Mason as it looks to maintain a spot in the conference’s top half.

ALANA SUNDERMANN, HOLT (sr.): The third-year setter was an all-conference selection a year ago for the Rams, who went 6-1 in the the conference.

MAYA FERLAND, LAINGSBURG (jr.): Ferland helped the Wolfpack grab the Class C regional title as a sophomore and was a third-team all-state selection.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Claire Hunter (East Lansing), Kate Senneker (Lakewood sr.), Maddie Watters (Williamston), Allie Peterson (Holt sr.), Grace George (DeWitt jr.), Hannah Whiteman (Holt sr.), Adair Cutler (Lansing Christian sr.), Alena Hartsuff (East Lansing)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Lakewood’s Gabie Shellenbarger sets against Father Gabriel Richard in their MHSAA quarterfinal game last season. Shellenbarger, who was a Class B all-state honoree in 2015, will be a key piece for the Vikings as they look to make another deep postseason run.

KEY: DS-defensive specialist, L-libero, LOH-left outside hitter, MH-middle hitter, MB-middle blocker, ROH-right outside hitter, OH-outside hitter, S-setter

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: t-1. Holt, t-1. Okemos, 3. East Lansing, 4. Grand Ledge, 5. Jackson, 6. Everett, 7. Eastern, 8. Sexton

Top players: Allie Peterson (Holt), Alana Sundermann (Holt), Hannah Whiteman (Holt), Ryan Castle (Okemos), Bre DeLoye (Okemos), Alena Hartsuff (East Lansing), Claire Hunter (East Lansing), Julia Jaros (Grand Ledge)

EAST LANSING

Last year: 3rd

Coach: Jan Dreffs (8th season)

Top returning players: Claire Hunter (sr. OH), Kai Dotson (sr. S), Allie Bradley (sr. L), Grace Henry (sr. S/DS), Briley Brogan (jr. RS), Mariyah Lewis (sr. MH), Sabrina Boxer (jr. OH)

Other contributors: Taylor Manson (sr. MH), Carolyn Heck (jr. MH), Jordan McCain (jr. S), Meghan Petersmark (jr. MH), Abby Kriser (jr.), Keilani Bailey (jr.), Sasha Butler (jr.)

Outlook: Led by Hunter, who was an all-league selection a season ago, the Trojan will return multiple players from last year’s team that finished third in the CAAC Blue. Brogan and Boxer both have multiple years of varsity experience, and Dreffs believe her team will be competitive enough to finish in the top half of the league.

EASTERN

Last year: 7th

Coach: Ericka Baer (4th season)

Top returning players: Gaona Yang (jr. OH), Amara Dixon (jr. OH/MH)

Other contributors: Daishya Stanley (so. MH), Diamond Parsons (so. L)

Outlook: The Quakers are a young team led by juniors and sophomores, but Baer expects her team to give the conference’s top teams “fierce competition.” Baer added that her team is scrappy and aggressive. Yang and Dixon earned all-conference honors last season.

EVERETT

Last year: 6th

Coach: Gabriel Murley (1st season)

Top returning players: Almerisa Dzananovic (sr. OH), Samantha Gifford (sr. S), Jada Page (sr. MH), Taylor Arnold (sr. DS)

Outlook: With nine players gone to graduation from last year’s team, the Vikings look to have a rebuilding season under first-year coach Murley. Everett has four players with varsity experience and Murley is looking for her team to improve throughout the year. Murley added that she believes her team has the possibility to surprise some teams this year if it can improve its defense and serve-reception.

GRAND LEDGE

Last year: 4th

Coach: Danielle Borgman (1st season)

Top returning players: Julia Jaros (sr. MH), Chloe Smith (sr. DS/L), Mollie Winger (jr. ROH), Jade Ayers (sr. ROH), Jazmyn Ayers (sr. MH), Emma Craig (sr. DS), Abbie Schaner (sr. S)

Other contributors: Mackenzie Winger (jr. OH), Gabi Kitley (so. OH), Olivia Belding (jr. S)

Outlook: Under first-year coach Borgman, the Comets set their sights on winning the CAAC Blue in 2016. Jaros, a senior, is a returning all-conference performer and will look to be a key piece again for Grand Ledge. Borgman believes her team is strong in several positions this year.

HOLT

Last year: 23-13-4 (2nd)

Coach: Kellie Sweitzer (8th season)

Top returning players: Alana Sundermann (sr. S), Allie Peterson (sr. MB), Hannah Whiteman (sr. DS), Linley Lounds (sr. DS), Sydney Stiles (sr. OH), Madison David (sr. MB)

Other contributors: Kaitlyn Whiteman (fr. DS)

Outlook: With 11 returning seniors, the Rams are filled with veteran prepped to try and takeover the top spot in the CAAC blue. Sweitzer sees athleticism, height, defense and team chemistry as her team’s strengths heading into the new season.  Sundermann, Peterson, Hannah Whiteman and Lounds all earned all-conference honors a season ago and will be looked at to lead Holt. Freshman Kaitlyn Whiteman is expected to contribute as well in her first varsity season.

OKEMOS

Last year: 42-10 (1st)

Coach: Jamie Ianni/Allison Cironi (17th season/4th season)

Top returning players: Ryan Castle (sr. OH), Shania Miller (sr. OH), Bre DeLoye (jr. MB), Sydney Fountain (sr. S), Sage VanAlstine (jr. OH), Maggie Francis (sr. OH)

Other contributors: Catherine Irwin (jr. DS), Natalie Thorn (fr. S), Nishi Patel (jr. MB)

Outlook: Despite the loss of two Division I players, the Chiefs welcome back several returners with plenty of varsity experience. Castle was an all-conference pick a year ago and DeLoye was honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore. Ianni and Cironi believe consistency will be the key for Okemos in 2016 if it wants to defend the conference and district championship.

SEXTON

Last year: 7th

Coach: Linett Gardner (4th season)

Top returning players: Jada Chapman (sr. DS)

Other contributors: Tori Blackman (so. S/MH), Radasha Ashley (jr. DS/MH), Kimmistree Cannon (jr. DS/OH)

Outlook: With multiple first-year varsity players, Gardner is looking for the Big Reds to improve throughout the year in hopes of obtaining more wins than the year before.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: t-1. Mason, t-1. DeWitt, 3. Haslett, 4. St. Johns, 5. Waverly, 6. Owosso

Top players: Lexi Nordmann (DeWitt), Brooke Binkley (DeWitt), Grace George (DeWitt), Selah Rowe (Haslett), Jordan Valley (Haslett), Sarah Schmid (Haslett), Bailey Cantrell (Mason), Autumn Kissman (Mason), Malin Smith (Waverly)

DEWITT

Last year: 44-4-1 (t-1st)

Coach: Christy Thelen (9th season)

Top returning players: Lexi Nordmann (sr. MH), Brooke Binkley (jr. S), Grace George (jr. OH), Becca Seeger (sr. OH), Rachel Madar (sr. DS), Stephanie Starr (jr. L), Avery Stevons (jr. DS), Bailey Yonkman (jr. OH)

Other contributors: Desiree Becker (so. MH)

Outlook: With eight returning players from last year’s team that made it to the Class A regional finals, the Panthers are in prime position to once again contend for the CAAC Red title. Led by Southern Methodist University commit Nordmann, DeWitt returns four players that earned all-league honors last season. Juniors Binkley and George are expected to make big contributions in 2016.

HASLETT

Last year: 3rd

Coach: Drew Dudley (3rd season)

Top returning players: Selah Rowe (sr. MB), Sarah Schmid (sr. OH), Lane Valley (sr. S), Jordan Valley (so. OH), Bianca Kinder (sr. MB), Brittany Bradley (sr. MB)

Outlook: The 6-foot-2 Rowe is a returning all-conference selection for Haslett. Her and Schmid, who is also 6-foot-2, are two players that Dudley expects to help the Vikings remain in the top half of the CAAC Red. Lane and Jordan Valley are expected to be important pieces to the puzzle, as well, in 2016.

MASON

Last year: t-1st

Coach: Elisa Zwick (19th season)

Top returning players: Bailey Cantrell (L), Autumn Kissman (OH), Victoria Nerkowski (OH), Anna Walta (DS)

Other contributors: Bailee Vrandall (S), Morgan Daily (MH), Brianna Byars (DS)

Outlook: Despite the loss of Willow Martin and Erin McDermott, two Division I players, Mason is still looking to stay in contention for the CAAC Red title. Cantrell will head the Bulldogs’ roster in 2016, as the senior was a first-team all-CAAC Red pick a season ago. Kissman, Nerkowski and Walta are three players with more than a year of varsity experience under their belts, and Zwick expects their roles to increase as Mason looks to stay in the conference’s top spot.

OWOSSO

Last year: 5th

Coach: Julie Croy (6th season)

Top returning players: Ellie Hood (sr. MH), Katelyn Jones (sr. L)

Outlook: The Trojans will look to move up the conference standings in 2016. Hood and Jones, who was an honorable mention all-CAAC Red selection as a junior, will be looked at to lead Owosso in the right direction.

ST. JOHNS

No information submitted.

WAVERLY

Last year: 6th

Coach: Brittany Szombati (2nd season)

Top returning players: Malin Smith (jr. MH), Isabella Pizzo (jr. S), Hayle Flowers (jr. L), Ashley Wellington (sr. ROH), Natalie Rodgers (sr. DS)

Other contributors: Evelyn Taylor (sr. MH), Reilly Farr (so. L), Jaonna Miller (fr. OH)

Outlook: The Warriors will look to climb up the league standings with a team Szomabti says is “young with great returning players.” Smith is a three-year varsity player that will likely lead Waverly in kills in 2016. Pizzo, a junior, is transitioning to the setter position after being an outside hitter a year a go.

CAAC WHITE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Lansing Catholic, 2. Williamston, 3. Fowlerville, 4. Portland, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Ionia

Top returning players: Rebecka Poljan (Lansing Catholic), Erin Vielbig (Fowlerville), Christina Losee (Eaton Rapids), Maddie Watters (Williamston)

EATON RAPIDS

Last year: 6-18-3 (6th)

Coach: Amanda Marriott (4th season)

Top returning players: Taylor Grant (sr. MH), Arianna Sysum (so. OP), Breana Rendon (so. S)

Other contributors: Jordan Day (so. MH), Brooke Franco (so. DS), Christina Losee (sr. DS), Camryn Scott (jr. OH)

Outlook: The Greyhounds’ roster consists of just three seniors and is dominated by juniors (5) and sophomores (5). Marriott is hoping her team can gain confidence as the season goes on. Grant is Eaton Rapids’ only three-year varsity player.

FOWLERVILLE

Last year: 19-18-3 (3rd)

Coach: Michelle Hardenbrook (16th season)

Top returning players: Paige Temple (sr. S), Sara Somine (sr. DS), Leah Ash (so. MH)

Other contributors: Jackie Jarvis (so. OH), Autumn Barbour (jr. OH)

Outlook: After only losing four players from last year’s team, the Gladiators are looking to move up the conference standings with solid returns and group of former junior varsity players that Hardenbrook is high on. Temple, Domine and Ash all earned all-league honors last season. Hardenbrook believes Fowlerville has solid hitters and defense and can compete in the CAAC White.

IONIA

Last year: 16-18-2 (t-4th)

Coach: Lisa Gettys (1st season)

Top returning players: Gabrielle Simmons (sr. ROH),

Other contributors: Mya Bianchi (jr. OH), Raeyanna Peters (sr. MH), Jaylynn Williams (sr. OH), Abigail Frost (so. MH)

Outlook: With a new coach at the helm, the Bulldogs will return just one varsity player from last season in Simmons, who was second-team all-CAAC White as a junior. Gettys is high on the team’s talent and believes it has the potential to be competitive this year.

LANSING CATHOLIC

Last year: 17-14-6 (1st)

Coach: Ryan Miller (5th season)

Top returning players: Olivia Poupard (sr. OH), Rebecka Poljan (jr. MH), Kasi Kirkpatrick (sr. S), Ally Lasch (sr. S), Christina Baker (jr. OH), Mary Flores (sr.), Cassidy Johnson (jr. ROH)

Other contributors: Sophie Miller

Outlook: Fresh off winning the CAAC title in 2015, the Cougars return a strong core that went 10-0 in the conference a season ago. Poljan, who is verbally committed to Michigan State, leads a strong attack group for Lansing Catholic. Miller believes his team has an opportunity to go beyond last season’s record with the right combination of offensive power and experienced defensive players. Poupard and Kirkpatrick, along with Poljan, give the Cougars a lot of size.

PORTLAND

Last year: t-4th

Coach: Allison DeGroot (2nd season)

Top returning players: Madison Palmiter (sr. L), Brooke Butterfield (sr. OH), Madison Lubitz (sr. DS)

Other contributors: Lesley Barker (so. DS/OH), Rebekah Ludema (jr. MH), Rylie Goodman (jr. S)

Outlook: With three returning senior starters, the Raiders will usher in new players that DeGroot says “bring a sense of energy.” Palmiter, Butterfield and Lubitz are the seniors that DeGroot expects to bring experience to her young squad.

WILLIAMSTON

Last year: 23-19-2 (2nd)

Coach: Sarah Conklin (4th season)

Top returning players: Maddie Watters (jr. OH), Allison Peplowski (jr. MB), Angela Rogers (sr. MB)

Outlook: Led by an all-league selection in Watters, the Hornets will look to stay in the CAAC White race in 2016. The 6-foot-2 Peplowski and Rogers are anchors in the middle for Conklin’s team, which went 8-2 in the conference last season.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (CMAC)

Coaches’ predictions: t-1. Bath, t-1. Laingsburg, 3. Pewamo-Westphalia, 4. Fowler, 5. Saranac, 6. Dansville, 7. Potterville, 8. Fulton, 9. Portland St. Patrick

Top returning players: Tessa Hosford (Bath), Emily Angell (Bath), Maya Ferland (Laingsburg), Emma Pachulski (Saranac), Kate Hengesbach (Pewamo-Westphalia), Hannah Greenwood (Portland St. Patrick), Courtney Peterson (Potterville)

BATH

Last year: 49-5-1` (t-1st)

Coach: Kristen McIntyre (11th season)

Top returning players: Tessa Hosford (sr. OH), Jessica Stoskopf (sr. OH/DS), Kailey Wahrer (sr. MH/OH), Emily angell (sr. MH), Taylor Buck (sr. OPP), Brittany Matsumoto (sr. S), Maddi Gutzki (sr. L)

Outlook: Bath welcomes back 10 players from a team that was co-champions in the CMAC a season ago. Hosford, Stoskopf, Angell, Gutzki and Matsumoto all earned all-league honors in 2015. McIntyre said her team is looking to get deeper into the postseason in 2016 and repeat as conference champions.

DANSVILLE

Last year: 1-25-3 (9th)

Coach: Heidi Bumpus (4th season)

Top returning players: Briann Risner (jr. OH/MH), Dakota Bumpus (sr. S)

Other contributors: Meghan Byars (sr. OH), Elena Fajardo (so. MH)

Outlook: The Aggies are enter a rebuilding season and Bumpus is looking for her team to take “each match one at a time.” She added that Dansville is looking to increase its competitive level in the league and capture its first title since 1999.

FOWLER

Last year: 18-30-2 (6th)

Coach: Patty Feldpausch (8th season)

Top returning players: Katie Piggott (sr. ROH), Sidney Horak (jr. OH)

Other contributors: Kennedy Koenigsknecht (jr. S), Jolie Wieber (jr. OH)

Outlook: Horak is a returning all-league performer for the Eagles. Feldpausch said her team’s goal is to “take teams out of their game with our strong defense and aggressive serving.” Fowler last won the league title in 2014.

FULTON

Last year: 18-31-1 (8th)

Coach: Holly Malek (1st season)

Top returning players: Savannah Fuller (sr. OH), Lyndsi Wolfe (so. MH), Kenzie Betz (sr. S), Kylie Slavik (jr. S/DS), Leslie McAlvey (jr. OH), Brittany Barrus (so. S)

Other contributors: Tatym Plath (jr. MH), Morgan Warnke (so. OH), Mia Canfield (fr. S)

Outlook: Malek, who is in her first season as Fulton’s coach, will take over a Pirates team that is filled with youth. Fuller and Betz are the only seniors on the roster and will be stand next to several sophomores and juniors in the starting lineup. Malek said her team hopes to be “very competitive” in the league despite the youth movement.

LAINGSBURG

Last year: 43-11-2 (t-1st)

Coach: Tennille Whitmore (17th season)

Top returning players: Maya Ferland (jr. MH), Sophie Strieff (jr. LOH), Erin Cooper (sr. LOH), Kenedy Franks (sr. S), Alex Randall (jr. MH), Silvia Strieff (sr. MH), Elaine Dedic (sr. OH)

Other contributors: Michelle Hannah (jr. OH), Portia Maudlin-Hanson (so. DS), Grace Gregg (jr. DS), Kaitlyn Koerner (so. MH)

Outlook: After making it to the Class C state quarterfinals last year, Whitmore believes the Wolfpack have potential to “repeat and expand on our success from last season.” The 6-foot-1 Ferland was an third-team all-state pick in 2015 and Sophie Strieff, Silvia Strieff and Cooper all earned all-CMAC honors, as well. Laingsburg, which tied with Bath for the league title last season, is again one of the favorites to repeat for the title.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Last year: 13-18-3

Coach: Jon Thelen (2nd season)

Top returning players: Kate Hengesbach, Casey Thelen, Kenzie Hengesbach

Other contributors: Morgan Thelen, Katie Lehman, Kennedy Pohl

Outlook: The Pirates’ lineup in 2016 will consist of two freshman and two sophomores, however, outside hitters Kate Hengesbach and Casey Thelen, both of whom are upperclassmen, will lead a P-W team that reached the finals of the district tournament last season. Kenzie Hengesback will be the team’s starting middle hitter and Thelen said his team is bigger than year’s past and will make the Pirates a strong blocking team. P-W graduated 10 seniors from last year’s team, but Thelen expects that his team is “starting at a point that is farther progressed than last year’s team.”

PORTLAND ST. PATRICK

Last year: 11-21-1 (7th)

Coach: Heidi Wenzel (2nd season)

Top returning players: Hannah Greenwood (sr. MH), Lauren Bengel (jr. OH)

Other contributors: Amelia Schrauben (jr. S), Kelsey Schneider (sr. DS/OP), Karlie Bartlett (sr. DS), Brittany Thelen (sr. S/OP)

Outlook: The Shamrocks return half of their starting lineup from a year ago, which includes Greenwood and Bengel, both of which earned all-CMAC honors in 2015. Wenzel said she’s looking forward to her team being a strong contender for the league title.

POTTERVILLE

No information submitted.

SARANAC

Last year: 4th

Coach: Amy McElvain (3rd season)

Top returning players: Emma Pachulski (jr. OH), Alexis Phillips (sr. OH)

Other contributors: Ally Couhirier (jr. S)

Outlook: With the return on Pachulski and Phillips, both of which earned all-CMAC recognition in 2015, the Redskins are expecting to continue to climb off the conference ladder. McElvain expects her team to have a an “excellent” season and to make a run in the postseason.

GREATER LANSING ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE (GLAC)

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

Top players: Gabie Shellenbarger (Lakewood), Paige Porter (Lansing Christian), Adair Cutler (Lansing Christian), Alivia Benedict (Lakewood), Kate Senneker (Lakewood), Lisa Hewitt (Lakewood), Grace Meunier (Lansing Christian), Noelle Rohde (Olivet)

LAKEWOOD

Last year: 51-7 (1st)

Coach: Kellie Rowland (21st season)

Top returning players: Gabie Shellenbarger (sr. S), Lisa Hewitt (jr. MB), Breanna Wickerink (jr. MB), Alivia Benedict (jr. OH), Kate Senneker (sr. L), Kate Kietzman (jr. DS), Patsy Morris (so. DS)

Other contributors: Erica Potter (jr. OH), Rebecca Kutch (sr. OH), Zari Kruger (so. OH), Kayla Sauers (jr. S)

Outlook: The Vikings have had great success in the GLAC over the years, and Rowland is hoping to continue that in 2016. Lakewood is led by Shellenbarger, who was a Class B all-state selection a year ago. Senneker, a senior, and Benedict, a junior, are two players expected to take on bigger roles this season, as well.

LANSING CHRISTIAN

Last year: 34-11-1 (3rd)

Coach: Dale Wethy III (3rd season)

Top returning players: Adair Cutler (sr. S), Paige Porter (sr. OH), Grace Meunier (jr. OH), Amilia Velasquez (jr. L), Maddy Schulz (sr. OH)

Other contributors: Jackie Moore (so. MH)

Outlook: The Pilgrims return several key contributors from last year’s team that finished third in the GLAC. Cutler, Meunier and Porter all earned Class D all-state honors as juniors. Wethy said he’ll be leaning on Cutler and Porter to help push the team this season and expects increased contributions from Moore, a sophomore, and Velasquez.

LESLIE

Last year: 6th

Coach: Emilia Shipe (1st season)

Top returning players: Holly Olifer (sr. OH), Autumn Martin  (sr. S), Aubrie Harrison (sr. MB), Hailey Wilson (jr. OH), Brooke James (jr. L)

Other contributors: Ky Bacon (sr. OH)

Outlook: Shipe, a first-year coach, is optimistic about her team’s chances in the GLAC after summer workouts. Some of the goals the Blackhawks have are to capture a league title and push through to regionals. Olifer is the returning captain for Leslie and Martin and Harrison are returning three-year players.

MAPLE VALLEY

Coach: Sarah Carpenter (8th season)

New contributors: Brooklyn Scott (jr.), Emma Franklin (jr.), Josey Terpening (fr.), Jaden Rosenburg (jr.), Elizabeth Hosack (jr.), Taryn Medina (jr.), Rachel Morris (sr.), Audrey Reid (sr.)

Outlook: The Lions don’t return any players from their 2015 roster and Carpenter is hoping her newcomers can own their specific roles to help the team climb the league standings. Terpening is a freshman that’s looked to contribute heavily in 2016.

OLIVET

Last year: 22-15-1 (2nd place)

Coach: Kelly Fedewa (1st season)

Top returning players: Noelle Rohde (sr. MH), Bailey Hoffman (jr. OH), Taylor Sinclair (sr. OH), Kiersten Washburn (sr. OH), Karli Corey (sr. S)

Other contributors: Piper Ousley (jr. OH/S)

Outlook: As a first-year coach of the Eagles, Fedewa looks for her squad to be “a solid passing team in order to allow the hitters to run a strong offense.” She’s hoping to help Olivet capture yet another district title.  Rohde, Sinclair, Washburn and Corey are returning senior starters. Hoffman, an outside hitter, is back as a junior after a solid outing as a sophomore.

PERRY

Last year: 5th

Coach: Stephen Fitzpatrick (2nd season)

Top returning players: Sarah Benjamin (sr, OPP/S), Sophie Brenke (sr. L), Ella Fisher (so. LOH), Bree Gerlach (sr. S)

Other contributors: Elizabeth Gramza (so. OPP), Miranda Crawford (jr. MH)

Outlook: With some returners from last year’s team, Fitzpatrick expects his team to take a leap in 2016. Benjamin was a second-team all-GLAC selection last year and Brenke was an honorable mention pick. Sophomores Fisher and Gramza are expected to be big contributors for the Ramblers.

STOCKBRIDGE

Last year: 16-15-6 (4th)

Coach: Natalie Learned (4th season)

Top returning players: Jessica Taylor (sr. L), Shaylyn Sprout (sr. MB), Ellie Allen (sr. S)

Other contributors: Macy Kruger (so. DS)

Outlook: The Panthers lost one of their middle blockers to injury heading into 2016, but Learned has six returning players that she believes will play a key role in Stockbridge’s success. Taylor, a four-year varsity player, and Sprout, a three-year player, are returning players with all-GLAC honors a season ago.

OTHERS

CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL

Last year: 3rd (Mid-State Athletic Conference)

Coach: Ashley Seals (3rd season)

Top returning players: Marissa Schmitt (sr. OH), Bailey Fitzpatrick (so. OH), Kaylee Reeder (so. MB), Sydney Evans (jr. S), Megan Dailey (so. DS)

Other contributors: Kolbi Humphrey (so. S/ROH)

Outlook: The Eagles will have just three upperclassmen and four sophomore in their starting lineup in 2016. Schmitt, a senior, and Fitzpatrick, a sophomore, head the group as the outside hitters earned league honors last year. Carson City-Crystal lost some key pieces from a year ago and Seals said her team is looking to improve its passing as the season progresses. She added that her team has a lot of athleticism and that she’s  hoping the game “will have slowed down” for her younger players as the team looks to contend for a league title.

CHARLOTTE

Last year: 6th (Interstate-8 Conference)

Coach: Dennis Richardson (19th season)

Top returning players: Brianna Furgala (sr. DS), Riley Wertz (jr. OH), Brooke Reinbold (jr. S), Lauren Anderson (so. MH), Ari Beutler (sr. L), Rachel Myers (sr. M), Brianna Hasler (sr. MH), Ally Telfor (OH sr.), Brandi Zens (sr. OH)

Other contributors: Meleila Hale (so. S/DS), Nikki Kassell (jr. DS), Maddy Beyerlein (so. OH), Peyton Smith (jr. MH), Alex WIthey (jr. OH)

Outlook: The Orioles have left the Interstate-8 Conference and will play as an independent in 2016. Charlotte returns a heap of players that have experience both offensively and defensively and Richardson believes that will help make his team determined to “compete at a high level.” The Orioles last won a district title in 2013.

CORUNNA

Last year: 3rd (Genesee Area Conference Red)

Coach: Kari Carnell (6th season)

Top returning players: Meredith Norris (sr. OH), Skye Rivett (sr. L), Rylee Thayer (jr. MH), Baylee Balcom (sr. MH), Myah Kelly (jr. OH/DS), Lexi Mort (so. S)

Other contributors: Elizabeth Norris (fr. S)

Outlook: With the loss of just one starter from last season and the return of Meredith Norris, the reigning LSJ volleyball player of the year and Michigan State commit, the Cavaliers are in prime position to make a run for conference and district titles and, possbily, beyond. Norris holds the record for most kills in a match (56) and will be joined by a handful of three-year varsity players, which includes Rivett, Thayer, Balcom and Kelly. Mort is a sophomore that is entering her second season on varsity and is someone Carnell expects to continue to contribute heavily.

ITHACA

Coach: Karla MacDonald (1st season)

Top returning players: Madison Brock (sr. MH), Kayla Belles (jr. MH)

Other contributors: MacKelle Thompson (fr. S), Emma Belles (fr. OH)

Outlook: In her first season as coach, MacDonald said her team is looking to finish in the top half of the Tri-Valley Central Conference. The Yellowjackets are young and led by 6-foot-3 middle hitter Belles, who was all-league in 2015. Brock is a three-year varsity player that contributed heavily to the team’s success last season.

Sam Lebbie ,top, of East Lansing leaps over a Grand Ledge defender as he pursues the ball during their CAAC Gold Cup Final game last season in Holt. Lebbie, who earned Division 2 all-state honors last season, is expected to be one of the CAAC Blue’s standout players in 2016.

Here is an overview of the 2016 boys soccer season in mid-Michigan. This reflects information submitted by area coaches.

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. East Lansing, 2. Okemos, 3. Grand Ledge, 4. Holt, 5. Jackson, 6. Everett, 7. Eastern, 8. Sexton

Top players: Sam Lebbie (East Lansing), Quinton Hay (East Lansing), Kyle Salisbury (Grand Ledge), Blaine Teahan (Grand Ledge), Michael Jenks (Holt), Kody Akers (Holt), Owen Cannon (Okemos), Ben Meschke (Okemos), Patrick Restum (Okemos)

EAST LANSING

Last year: 20-4-1 (1st)

Coach: Nick Archer (40th season)

Top returning players: Sam Lebbie (sr. F), Quinton Hay (sr. F), Nick Isham (sr. M/F), Joe Draheim (sr. D), Drew Person (sr. M), Alden Metzmaker (jr. F), Logan Reynolds (sr. M), Sam Maves (sr. D)

Other contributors: Scott Campbell (sr. GK), Jodh Wolfinger (sr. M), Ansumana Lebbie (jr. F/M), Brady Carlson (sr. D/M)

Outlook: Fresh off capturing the CAAC Blue title in 2015, the Trojans return several key players that will once again make them a contender in the conference. With Sam Lebbie, a Division 2 third-team all-state selection, Hay and Isham, East Lansing has a scoring attack that shouldn’t have much trouble finding goal once the heart of the schedule arrives. Draheim, Maves and Carlson are defenders that Archer says are very solid and can add versatility to the back line.

EASTERN

Last year: 9-11-2 (6th)

Coach: Juan Dominguez (1st season)

Top returning players: Bhupendra Ghalley (sr. D), Duru Abeli (sr. M/D), Gideon Ciza (sr. F/M), Dominic Garcia (sr. M), Hatangiman Willyhapgous (sr. GK), Jesus Arroyo (sr. M)

Other contributors: Jaden Corcoran (jr. D), Ko Reh (jr. D), Bo Reh (jr. M), Treyvon Pennington (sr. M), Djumbe Awezaye (fr. F)

Outlook: With several players returning at key positions, Dominguez believes the Quakers have an opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the league. Ghalley, Abeli and Willyhapgous are returning seniors that played big roles in 2015.

EVERETT

No information submitted.

GRAND LEDGE

Last year: 11-7-2 (3rd)

Coach: Scott M. Dane (8th season)

Top returning players: Brendan Garfield (sr. D), Parker Fitzgerald (sr. D), Erik Seelman (sr. M), Blaine Teahan (sr. GK), Kyle Salisbury (sr. F), Hudson Morgan (jr. M), Aric Phinney (jr. M)

Other contributors: Jared Simmer (sr. M), Nick Myszak (sr. M), Owen Schuchaskie (sr. D), Bailer Patterson (sr. M)

Outlook: With several returning experienced players, which includes Garfield and Salisbury, both of which are three-year players and first-team all-CAAC Blue picks a season ago, the Comets are in prime position to challenge for a top spot in the conference. Senior keeper Teahan, along with Garfield and Fitzgerald, will anchor a back line of defense that Dane calls “solid.” He added that having another goal scorer to pair with Salisbury will be pivotal to how far the team can go in 2016.

HOLT

Last year: 13-11-0 (5th)

Coach: Aaron Smith (10th season)

Top returning players: Dean Failer (sr. D), Kody Akers (jr. D), Michael Jenks (sr. F), Nicholas Campos (so. M), Kyle Blackmer (sr. D), John Weaver (sr. M), Carter Colligan (so. M), Austin Nguyen (jr. M), Josh Rosendale (sr. M)

Other contributors: Andrew Hall (sr. GK), Zach Howell (jr. M), Zach Leverich (sr. GK)

Outlook: The Rams get back junior defender Akers, who logged the team’s most minutes last season, and Jenks, who led the team in scoring, in 2016. Smith is hoping Holt can improve throughout the season and get into the CAAC Gold Cup after winning the Silver Cup last year. Campos, a sophomore, is entering his second season on varsity and is expected to be a creator in the midfield.

OKEMOS

Last year: 15-4-2 (2nd)

Coach: Brian Guggemos (15th season)

Top returning players: Owen Cannon (sr. M), Ben Meschke (sr. F), Patrick Restum (jr. GK), Talon Christensen (sr. M), Andre Owczarzak (sr. M), Vince Plascencia (sr. D), Joe Chappelle (sr. F), Alec Thornburg (jr. M)

Other contributors: Neeraj Padmanabhan (sr. M), Nick Zepf (jr. D), Brandel Brogan (so. D)

Outlook: The Chiefs will return some experienced players in 2016, despite losing eight seniors from last season’s team. Guggemos put together a tough schedule to start the season and he’s hoping it pays off down the road as Okemos looks to do damage in the Division 1 postseason tournament. Cannon, Meschke and Restum were all-league performers in 2015. The Chiefs last won the CAAC Blue title in 2013.

SEXTON

Last year: 7th

Coach: Lazare Tegue (4th season)

Top returning players: Kedrick Tegue (jr.), Aweis Aweis (sr.), Sai Thang (sr.), Ibrahim Mkumbuk-wa (sr.), Phray Rey (sr.), Pleh Rey (sr.)

Outlook: The Big Reds return most of their players from 2015, and Coach Tegue is looking for his team to improve throughout the year. Sexton was hovering around .500 last season.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Haslett, t-2. Mason, t-2. DeWitt, 4. St. Johns, 5. Owosso, 6. Waverly

Top players: Brian Coscarelli (Haslett), Hunter Nash (Haslett), Joey Sparkia (Haslett), Dylan Beck (DeWitt), Lirim Shefkiu (Mason), Tristan Pease (Mason)

DEWITT

Last season: 13-5-4 (t-1st)

Coach: Joe Ishraidi (2nd seson)

Top returning players: Nick Hehl (sr. GK), Dylan Beck (sr. M), Mike Averill (sr. D), Austin Smith (sr. D), Zack Rollis (jr. M), Evan Greisinger (jr. F), Jacob Wescott (sr. M), Jared Helinski (sr. M), Caleb Randall (sr. F)

Other contributors: Kalyn VanWormer (jr. M), Nolan Greisinger (jr. M), Zach Johnson (so. F), Daniel Billhardt (M), Christian Reisig (jr. GK)

Outlook: The Panthers lost key pieces from last season’s team, but Ishraidi is hopeful his team can finish strong after potentially taking lumps early on. Hehl and Beck both earned all-CAAC Red recognition last year. Billhardt is a transfer student that is expected to contribute for DeWitt. Returning upperclassmen Evan Greisinger and Randall will be the forwards up front.

HASLETT

Last year: 9-11-3 (t-1st)

Coach: Darus Ward (4th season)

Top returning players: Brian Coscarelli (sr. M/F), Hunter Nash (jr. D), Matthew Clark (sr. M), Andrew Schmidt (sr. M/F), Joey Sparkia (jr. F), Nick Sloan (sr. D), Paul Fiorilla (sr. M/F), Griffin Doran (so. D), Andy Vahng (jr. F)

Other contributors: Jon Ezzo (sr. M/F), Clay Chernich (sr. M), AJ Salazar (so. D/M), Munir Sheralli (jr. M)

Outlook: With the additions of Sheralli and Salazar, two guys that played club soccer last season, Ward expects his team to be much improved in the attacking third. The Vikings return several players that earned all-league honors last season, which includes three-year players Coscarelli, Nash and Clark. Haslett has 11 players with two or more years of varsity experience, and despite a tough schedule, Ward believes his team will be “mentally ready” for the postseason.

MASON

Last year: 24-3 (t-1st)

Coach: Nick Binder (10th season)

Top returning players: Lirim Shefkiu (sr. M/F), Tristan Pease (jr. D), Evan Joneson (jr. M), Caleb Graham (jr. M), Josh Geyer (jr. F)

Outlook: The defending Division 2 state champions lost a lot of firepower from last year, and Binder expects this season to be a growing process. The Bulldogs lost 13 seniors and nine starters, however, they return Shefkiu, who was honorable mention all-state and a LSJ Dream Team selection, and Pease, who was all-league. Binder is looking for his underclassmen to play big minutes and step into a leadership role with just three seniors on the team.

OWOSSO

Last year: 10-10 (5th)

Coach: Ayaz Jafri (1st season)

Top returning players: Brendan Ihm (jr. GK), Traverse Campbell (sr. F), Sam Roose (so. M), Easton Feinauer (sr. M), Adam Dahl (so. M), Cody Adams (sr. D), Tyler Reynolds (sr. D), Kaycen Baumgaertel (sr. D/M(

Other contributors: Trajan Smith (jr. D/M), Isaac DeWeese (fr. M), Jordan McCall (sr. F), Jake Ackley (sr. F/M)

Outlook: Under first-year coach Jafri, the Trojans have high expectations to move on from their .500 record in 2015. He sees speed as his team’s biggest strength and is hoping for Campbell, a senior forward, to post a record-setting season for goals. Ihm is a junior goalkeeper that Jafri believes helps keep Owosso in every game.

ST. JOHNS

Last year: 4th

Coach: Karl Hanover (13th season)

Top returning players: Nick Hitchens (jr. F), Jake Warnaar (sr. D), Bobby Stehlik (jr. D), Brett Post (sr. GK)

Outlook: The Redwings get back Hitchens, who was the team’s leading scorer as a sophomore last season. Hanover believes St. Johns’ attacking third should be much improved in 2016. He added that the midfield needs to improve in order for his team to compete with the tougher teams on the schedule.

WAVERLY

Last year: 1-15 (6th)

Coach: Kevin Kacel (1st season)

Top returning players: Reece Burton (sr. F), Anthony Pena (sr. M), Francisco Ramirez (sr. GK), Sharble Daher (sr. M), Spencer Cloud (sr. D/M), Jaylen Parker (sr. D)

Other contributors: Muhammad Tiwana (jr. M/F), Michael Ebosi (jr. D), Dylan Nelson (jr. M), Andrew Wilson (jr. D)

Outlook: Many of the seniors on the Warriors’ team have four years of varsity experience, and Kacel, a first-year coach, will look to seniors Burton and Pena to help get the team from the bottom of the CAAC Red. Burton, Pena and Ramirez were all honorable mention all-league in 2015.

CAAC WHITE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Williamston, 2. Lansing Catholic, 3. Fowlerville, 4. Eaton Rapids, 5. Ionia, 6. Portland

Top players: Alex Scott (Williamston), Kepler Tiedje (Williamston), Collard Remy (Lansing Catholic), Chuck Plaehn (Lansing Catholic)

EATON RAPIDS

Last year: 7-11 (5th)

Coach: Matt Boersma (15th season)

Top returning players: Parker Sheffield (sr. M), Ryan Freemire (sr. M), Deion Rogers (so. M), Brendin Lipp (jr. M), Tak Ineyeoshi (so. F), Brandon Miller (so. GK), Jake Richards (so. GK)

Other contributors: Nathan Clarke (jr. D), Chandler Zohott (sr. M)

Outlook: Boersma is looking for the Greyhounds to find a consistent effort in 2016, and if they’re able to do that, the 15-year coach believes his side can “shock a few teams.” He added that goal scoring should be a strength of his team while the question mark is in the back line, as Eaton Rapids has four new starters on defense.

FOWLERVILLE

Last year: 8-9-1 (t-2nd)

Coach: Doug Jarvis (3rd season)

Top returning players: Bailey Edwards (sr. M/F), Kyle Gross (sr. D), Corey LeMieux (sr. F), Andrew Goodwin (jr. D), Victor Cervantes (sr. D), Ethan Moore (so. M/F)

Other contributors: Trevor Christoson (sr. GK), Alex Bowers (jr. GK), Andrew Spalding (sr. F), Hunter Maddox (jr. D)

Outlook: After grabbing a second-place finish in the CAAC White the past two years, Jarvis is hoping his team can continue to build on its success. Edwards, Gross and LeMieux were all-league performers a season ago. The defense led by Gross, Goodwin and Cervantes, who all have more than one year of varsity experience, looks to be the Gladiators’ strength in 2016 as they try to move up a spot in the conference.

IONIA

Last year: 5-13 (4th)

Coach: Ryan Nevis (2nd season)

Top returning players: Parker Kirby (sr. D), Reese Stuart (jr. M/F), Justin Sarka (so. M/F), Jordan Badder (jr. D), Zahid Zavaleta (so. D/F), Ryan Stephens (sr. D/M/F), Austin Skilling (jr. M/F), Darius Taylor (so. M/F)

Other contributors: Luciano Biella (so. F/M), Luis Parreno (so. M/F), Fransisco Gomila (sr. F/D), Michael VanBeveren (jr. GK)

Outlook: Despite being a youthful side, Nevins said he’s very optimistic about his team’s potential. With the return of multiple key starters, which includes three-year players Stuart and Stephens, Ionia is looking to finish in the top half of the CAAC White.

LANSING CATHOLIC 

Last year: 12-6-1 (t-2nd)

Coach: Gustavo Flores (7th season)

Top returning players: Remy Collard (sr. M), Chuck Plaehn (sr. M), Michael Hollis (sr. M), Alec Gonzalez (sr. M), Robert Ramereiz (sr. D), Jack Gonzalez (so. M), Matthew Benivegna (so. G)

Other contributors: Conor Burns (sr. D), Matthew Burns (so. F), John Harrison (sr. M), Thomas Burns (sr.), Grant Cotter (sr.), Will Meaton (sr.), Jacob Kenney (sr.)

Outlook: The Cougars had 44 players tryout this season, which is the second biggest group in program history. Flores is hoping the growing numbers will translate to the field as he said the competition for a starting position was “fierce.” Flores added that the believes the 2016 season will go as far as the seniors go. Collard and Plaehn are returning all-league seniors that are expected to be focal points for Lansing Catholic. Benivegna, a sophomore, is starting for the second straight year on varsity and was an all-league performer a season ago.

PORTLAND

Last year: 3-14-1 (6th)

Coach: Chris Roof (5th season)

Top returning players: Matthew Prehn (sr. F), Tate Dziewiakowski (so. M), Zachary Pung (jr. D), Beau Rich (jr. GK)

Other contributors: Anthony Kreiner (so. D), Seth Goodman (so. D), Oliver Alvesteffer (so. M), Sam Alvesteffer (jr. M)

Outlook: After losing six seniors from last season, the Raiders will be a young team. However, they return a couple of offensive starters that will look to help Portland move up the standings. Prehn, a forward, is a four-year player that was an all-league selections in 2015. Dziewiakowski and Pung also earned all-league honors a season ago.

WILLIAMSTON

Last year: 19-6 (1st)

Coach: Brent Sorg (12th season)

Top returning players: Alex Scott (jr. D), Kepler Tiedje (sr. D)

Other contributors: Jack Bellinger (jr. M), Brent Hurlburt (jr. GK), Zach Jewison (jr. M), Eli Richardson (jr. F)

Outlook: The Hornets graduated 13 seniors from last year’s team – 10 of which were starters – that were state runners-up in Division 3. Williamston will be undergoing a rebuilding season, however, Sorg believes he has a “quality, hardworking team.” Sorg said the biggest key for his team will be how quickly it adjusts to the varsity level.

OTHER

ALMA

Last year: 17-4-2 (1st in TVC Central)

Coach: Nick O’Neill (13th season)

Top returning players: Liam Maslovich (jr. F), Brannon Fletcher (sr. D), Brandon Fuller (so. M/F), Monroe Molesky (so. D), Matteo DeAngelis (so. M/F), Ty Stebeleton (jr. D)

Outlook: The Panthers lost 13 seniors and seven starters from last year’s team. Alma’s roster is dominated by freshmen (7) and sophomores (5) and O’Neill is hoping his team can stay near the top of the conference.

CHARLOTTE

Last year: 15-3 (3rd in Interstate-8)

Coach: Ryan Sisco (17th season)

Top returning players: Kyle Hoyt (sr. D), Dreux Denny (sr. M), Coy Brown (so. D), Nick Welch (sr. D), Rafael Ortega (jr. M), Johnny Hoesli (jr. D/M), Connor Rosekrans (sr. D)

Other contributors: Fadil Rahman (jr. F), Lucas Domingo (so. GK/F), German Martinez (jr. F), Antonio Lopez (so. D), Nasir Ibrahim (jr. M), Charles Hall (sr. M)

Outlook: Hoyt and Hoesli earned all-league honors in 2015 and will look to lead a Orioles team that will be prepping for the state tournament with a nonleague schedule, as they are no longer a part of the Interstate-8.

LAINGSBURG

Last year: 14-3-2

Coach: Scott Belanger (5th season)

Top returning players: Ryan Kingsburg (jr. M), Ben Ransom (jr. F/M), Kobe Corp (jr. F/M), Hunter McKenna (jr. GK), Lucas Kibzey (jr. D)

Other contributors: Vincent Barberio (fr. F/M), Zackary Robbins (fr. M/D), Samuel Marshall (fr. D), Gabe Hawer (fr. F)

Outlook: The Wolfpack will be a young team for the next few seasons, as their 2016 roster holds 10 freshmen and no seniors. However, Belanger believes his underclassmen are very skilled and have showed the ability to compete with solid teams. Kingsburg, Ransom, Corp, McKenna and Kibzey are all three-year players.

LANSING CHRISTIAN

Last year: 21-2-1 (1st in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference)

Coach: Joel Vande Kopple (9th season)

Top returning players: Noah Usiak (sr. M), Nick Jamieson (sr. F), Preston Granger (sr. D), Luke Hagy (sr. D), Jack Gillespie (sr. GK), Bryan Mains (so. F/D), Parker Jamieson (jr. M/D)

Other contributors: Jay Schaefer (jr. M/D), Riley Donahue (fr. F)

Outlook: The Pilgrims lost three Division 4 all-state players after last season, but return an honorable mention all-state honoree in Usiak, and Nick Jamieson and Granger were all-GLAC performers. Vande Kopple said Lansing Christian has a number of positions to fill and will not be a very deep team, but have enough talent to be successful.

ITHACA

Last year: 9-7 (TVC Central)

Coach: Doug Strait (12th season)

Top returning players: Koby Lee (sr. F), Alex Houghton (sr. M), Cavun Beck (jr. M), Conner Gulick (sr. M), Gurikh Dhillon (sr. M)

Other contributors: Matt Whaley

Outlook: The Yellowjackets have 10 seniors on their roster and will look to win the league title this season. Straight believes his team has a chance to make a deep run in the district tournament, as well. Lee was an all-league player as a junior last year.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Oliver Weaver, shown here in the finals of the 2015 MHSAA state tournament, will return to Williamston after reaching being the Division 4 state runner-up at No. 1 singles.

NOTE: S–singles, D–doubles, sr.–senior, jr.–junior, so.–sophomore, fr.–freshman

Not all flights were determined when coaches submitted their information.

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Okemos, 2. Holt, 3. East Lansing, 4. Grand Ledge, 5. Jackson, 6. Lansing

Top players: Dinakar Talluri (Okemos), Daniel Gorelik (Okemos), Deniz Kalfa (Okemos), Tyler Brown (Holt), Joe Corner (Holt), Peyton Brogan (East Lansing), Caleb Hoekstra (East Lansing), Deniz Kalfa (Okemos)

EAST LANSING

Coach: Karim Jelassi

Top returning players: Max Tyler (sr. S), William Lau (jr. S), Nathaniel Dalton (sr. S), Forrest Gillespie (sr. D), Jesse Wade (sr. D), Caleb Hoekstra (sr. D), Peyton Brogan (sr. D), Casey Ring (jr. S)

Other contributors: Silas Brainard (sr.), Jack Belloli (so.), Connor Foley (sr.)

Outlook: The doubles duo of Hoekstra and Brogan earned all-area honors in 2015 and reached the second round of the Division 2 state tournament. Jelassi is hoping the Trojans can at least finish second in the league and also grab a top-2 finish at the regional tournament.

EASTERN, SEXTON AND EVERETT

Coach: Renee Hoekstra (2nd season)

Top returning players: Justin James (sr. S), John Murdoch (sr. S)

Other contributors: Jacob Stevenson (fr. S), Collin Walker (so. S)

Outlook: The Lansing boys tennis team, which consists of players from Eastern, Sexton and Everett, will be led by seniors James and Murdoch. James was honorable mention all-CAAC Blue last year. Hoekstra hopes to used this season as a building year so that her team can be competitive in the future. This is the first season the Lansing schools have combined to form a team.

GRAND LEDGE

Coach: Brian Flowerday (1st season)

Top returning players: Eric Thompson (sr. S), Brett Wood (jr. S), Ben Reynolds (sr. S), Adam Kimmith (so. S), Ben Flowerday (sr. D), Josh Matson (sr. D)

Other contributors: Nolan Fox (jr. D), Luke Chapman (so. D)

Outlook: While the Comets welcome back five seniors, they also usher in a new coach and five freshmen to the program. Brian Flowerday, who is an interim coach, said his team is hoping to compete with strong doubles performances and singles talent at the top flights. Thompson is a four-year varsity player and will be Grand Ledge’s No. 1 singles competitor. Ben Flowerday, along with Thompson, is one of the team’s captains.

HOLT

Last year: 22-3-2 (2nd)

Coach: Russ Olcheske (10th season)

Top returning players: Tyler Brown (sr. S), Joe Corner (jr. D), Cael Weaver (jr. S), Zach Baker (sr. D), Willy Huynh (sr. D)

Other contributors: Patrick Kayser (sr.), Bernard Anderson (so.), Justin Coscarella (jr.), Jake Gilman (jr.)

Outlook: Holt graduated eight players – three of which play collegiality – from its 2015 squad that went 5-1 in the CAAC Blue. Brown, a senior, returns as a singles competitor and holds a 59-7 career record. Corner will be in the No. 1 doubles flight and has a record of 26-6. Olcheske believes the Rams can continue their success with a “hungry batch of former junior varsity players that trained heavily in the offseason.”

OKEMOS

Last year: 1st

Coach: Chris Silker (7th season)

Top returning players: Dinakar Talluri (jr. S), Deniz Kalfa (so. S), Daniel Gorelik (so. S), Zal Chinoy (so. D), Karthik Kolisetty (jr. D), Aadi Nalla (sr. D), Kevin Cho (sr. D), Adi Kandula (so. D), Tesh Kalatturu (jr. D), Daniel Johnson (jr. D)

Other contributors: Ben Letzer (fr.)

Outlook: After potentially repeating as CAAC Blue champions, Silker said the Chiefs’ top priority is to win the regional title again. However, with Midland Dow back in Okemos’ region, his team will have to take another step as it’s never beaten Dow for a regional title in his seven years as coach. Silker also added that the Chiefs are looking to finish in the top 3 of the Division 2 state tournament. Talluri was all-state and a state semifinalist last year. Chinoy and Kolisetty were state semifinalists as a doubles tandem. Letzer, a freshman, who is a highly-ranked Midwest level tournament player, is joining Okemos’ program this season.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Haslett, 2. DeWitt, 3. St. Johns, 4. Mason, 5. Owosso, 6. Waverly

Top players: Nathan Choi (Haslett), Charlie Schaberg (Mason), Nick Kleitch (DeWitt),

DEWITT

No information submitted.

HASLETT

Last year: 12-2-2 (1st)

Coach: Henry and Samantha Brunnschweiler

Top returning players: Nathan Choi (jr. S), Jake Michaud (sr. S), Nick Radecki (sr. D), Gokul Murali (sr. D), Nathan Glaza (sr. D), Sam Zayko (jr. D), Alex Stanulis (jr. S)

Other contributors: Luke Bollman (jr. D), Nate Stewart (fr. D), Henry Zayko (fr. S), Matt Bidigare (jr. D), Bruno Takahashi (jr. D), Jae Han (jr. D)

Outlook: Choi will take over at No. 1 singles from his brother, Johnny, who was a State Journal Dream Team member last season as a senior. The Vikings return several experienced players at doubles, which includes Division 3 state semifinalists Radecki and Murali. Haslett finished a program-best sixth at the state tournament last season and will look to build on that through its doubles lineup and experience.

MASON

Last year: 3-3

Coach: Jimmy Joyce (3rd season)

Top returning players: Charlie Schaberg, Cameron Hause, Wes Bird, Jacob Bui, JJ Mataya, Alejandro White, Zach Ayers, William White

Other contributors: Dalton Trimmer, Noah Kinney, Jared Surato, Elijah Horton

Outlook: The Bulldogs will return several familiar faces in 2016. Schaberg and Bui are four-year players and Bird and William White are three-year players. Joyce said his team will “fight for every point and league matches should be close.”

OWOSSO

Coach: Mike Raffaelli (9th season)

Top returning players: Patrick Vreibel (sr. S), Randy Dorff (sr. S), Warren Beuche (sr. S), Anna Raffaelli (jr. D), Cole Mallory (jr. D), Gerritt Springsdorf (jr. D), Braxton Hay (so. D), Arthur Lavigne (jr. D)

Other contributors: Alden Johnson (sr.), Andrew Beckley (so.)

Outlook: The Trojans welcome back a couple of players from last year’s team in hopes of climbing up the CAAC Red standings.

ST. JOHNS

Last year: 4-7-1

Coach: Josh Gove (3rd season)

Top returning players: Joey Deliso (S), Andy Briggs (D), Caleb Paksi (D), Mitch Nylander (S), Nate Wenzlick (D), Jack Pope (S/D)

Other contributors: Bobby George (S), Wes Cressman, Jack Thalison

Outlook: With an increase of numbers in 2016, Gove believes depth could be a strength for St. Johns this season. And even though the Redwings graduated six players from last year’s team, he added that he feels positive about the underclassmen and their ability to “take over as leaders and top players.” Deliso was honorable mention all-conference last season and so was Nylander. Briggs and and Paksi were both all-conference in 2015 and will be No. 1 doubles partners.

WAVERLY

Last year: 6th

Coach: Jerry Smith (5th season)

Top returning players: Ryan Duchene (sr. D), Nick Praxayavong (jr. S)

Outlook: With only three players coming back from 2015, Smith will rely on a number of newcomers to help build the program and work the Warriors’ way up the CAAC Red standings. Both Duchene and Praxayavong are three-year varsity players.

CAAC WHITE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Lansing Catholic, 2. Williamston, 3. Portland, 4. Fowlerville, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Ionia

Top returning players: Oliver Weaver (Williamston), Vince Orlando (Lansing Catholic), Chris Heeder (Lansing Catholic), Chris Platte (Portland), Alex Kemp (Williamston), Steven Quigley (Fowlerville), Bobby Eppler (Ionia)

EATON RAPIDS

Last year: 5th

Coach: Ryan Anderson (11th season)

Top returning players: Alex Luttrell (sr. S), Garrett Grulke (sr. D), William Babbitt (jr. D), Jonah Brininstool (so. D), Ezra Hokanson (so. D), Dan Mergener (so. S), Caleb Harrison (so. D), Greg Huisman (jr. D)

Other contributors: Joshua Owen (sr. S), Spencer Flemming (so. S)

Outlook: The Greyhounds returns a solid core of players, which includes Luttrell, Grulke and Babbitt, all of which have three or more years of varsity experience. Anderson said his team is looking forward to picking up steam as it heads into a competitive season.

FOWLERVILLE

Last year: 5-6-1 (4th)

Coach: Jim Jonas (11th season)

Top returning players: Steven Quigley (sr. S), Bryant Martin (sr. S), Shaw Sova (so. S), Joey Quigley (so. D), John Gormley (sr. D), Tyler Bennett (sr. D), Montana Gillett (sr. D), Nate Leonard (sr. D), Tyler Heick (sr. D), Hunter Wilson (jr. D)

Other contributors: Christian Montrose (so. S)

Outlook: With 10 returners – seven of which are seniors – the Gladiators are looking to finish higher than fourth in the CAAC White. Jonas said his team’s goals are to grab a top-4 league finish and improve at the regionals. Steven Quigley was honorable mention all-league last season  and Martin was first-team all-league and a regional finalist in the singles flight.

IONIA

Last year: 1-4 (5th)

Coach: Ned Miller (1st season)

Top returning players: Bobby Eppler (sr.), Brandon Miller (sr.), JT Longanbach (jr.), Adam Green (jr.), Jon Witherell (sr.)

Other contributors: Raymond Schafer, Alec White, Peyton Scheurer

Outlook: The Bulldogs added five new players to their roster for 2016, and Coach Miller is hoping to see a dramatic improvement. However, Eppler, who was all-conference last season, Brandon Miller, Longanbach and Green give Ionia a solid returning nucleus.

LANSING CATHOLIC

Last year: 12-6 (3rd)

Coach: Ron Landfair (14th season)

Top returning players: Vince Orlando (so. S), Charlie Mora (jr. S), Frank Nylander (jr. D), Carter Moore (jr. D)

Other contributors: Chris Heeder (sr. D), Julian Lanum (so. D), Adam Grant (jr. D)

Outlook: Orlando, who was Division 4 all-state and a state tournament qualifier as a freshman last season, will head a Cougars team that welcomes back several accomplished players. Mora was a conference and regional finalist last season and Heeder, who missed all of last season, is a returning two-time conference and regional champion at doubles. Lansing Catholic will be looking to claim its fourth conference and regional titles in six years.

PORTLAND

Last year: 7-4 (2nd)

Coach: Jim Nieibling (27th season)

Top returning players: Chris Platte (sr. S), Jack Lufkin (sr. D), Sam Linebaugh (sr. D), Ryan Lefke (jr. S)

Other contributors: Vaughn Cross (so. D), Dawson Collins (so. D), Kyle Leonard (sr. S), Ryan Ramsey (jr. D)

Outlook: After graduating eight players from last season’s Division 4 regional championship team, Niebling said the Raiders will “start the season with more room for improvement than we have ever had.” However, Niebling believes his team has the potential to have a good season if it can stay focused on its goals. Platte and Lefke were regional champions in 2015, while Lufkin and Linebaugh were regional finalists.

WILLIAMSTON

Last year: 8-2-1 (1st)

Coach: Nate Schwarzbek (3rd season)

Top returning players: Oliver Weaver (jr. S), Alex Kemp (sr. S), Daniel O’Toole (sr. S), Will Davis (sr. S), Nathan Scott (jr. D), Ben Heilman (jr. D), Colton Grant (sr. D), Matthew Baker (so. D), Zach VanDeuren (so. D), Nick Basore (jr. D)

Other contributors: Jonathan Kersten (so. D), Xavier Grimes (so. D)

Outlook: The Hornets are looking to surpass last year’s seventh-place finish at the Division 4 state tournament in 2016. Schwarzbek added that his team is also looking to win the regional title, and with only two players gone from 2015, he believes it’s a possibility. Weaver was a state runner-up and all-state selection last year, and Williamston will also get back several players that earned league honors a year ago.

OTHERS

ITHACA

Last year: 3-9 (7th in TVC Central)

Coach: Marc Mercer (7th season)

Top returning players: Brandon Graves (sr.), Brendan Johnson (sr.), Jon Palmer (sr.), Eli Bongard (sr.), Josh King (jr.), Garret Vermeesch (jr.), Colton Fisher (so.), Owen Pierce (so.), Kyle Sparks (so.)

Other contributors: Lucas Bongard (so.), Jared Barden (so.), Collin Malek (so.)

Outlook: The Yellowjackets have a lot of returning starters this season and have a full team at the beginning of the season for the first time since Mercer has been at the helm. With the experience coming back, Mercer believes his team has a chance to move up the conference standings in 2016.

LAKEWOOD

Last year: 1-8-1

Coach: Martin Snoap (28th season)

Top returning players: Nic Schuiling (sr. S), Caleb Farlee (so. S), George McNeil (sr. S/D)

Other contributors: Khyle Cross (so. D), Aidan Egan (so. D), Ian Smith (sr. D)

Outlook: Snoap, who was the LSJ girls tennis coach of the year last spring, is looking for his team to improve from last season and potentially win half of its matches. The Vikings have six newcomers in their top 12, and their growth will help dictate how far Lakewood can go in 2016.

LESLIE-LANSING CHRISTIAN

Last year: 12-3

Coach: Dick Winters (8th season)

Top returning players: Griff Brockhaus (so. S/D), Bailey Craddock (sr. S/D), Gage Cutler (s. S), Josh Moore (jr. S/D), Bo Tate (sr. D)

Other contributors: Isaac Johnson (fr. S), Wesley Tate (so. D)

Outlook: The combined team of Leslie-Lansing Christian lost its No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 singles players from last season, as well as its No.1 and No. 2 doubles tandems. The team has just five returning starters and Winters said the focus will be on “building solid tennis fundamentals and useful strategies and tactics to compete effectively against stronger, more experienced teams.” He added that he believes his team will progress rapidly throughout the year.

OVID-ELSIE

Last year: 7-2-1 (TVC)

Coach: Ed Tyler (4th season)

Top returning players: Johnnie Moore (jr. S), Cody Simons (jr. S), Isiah Zimmerman (so. S), Dylan Kinnamon (sr. S)

Outlook: The Marauders return just four players from last year’s team, but Tyler is hoping his squad can finish in the middle of the conference. It’s a rebuilding season for Ovid-Elsie.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Okemos swimmer Freyja Garbaccio heads toward a first-place 200 yard IM championship win during the 2014 CAAC Blue Division championship finals at Holt. Garbaccio is a two-time LSJ swimmer of the year and is looking to earn it for a third time in 2016.

KEY: back-backstroke, breast-breaststroke, dist.-distance or 200 and 500 free, DT-Lansing State Journal Dream Team selection, fly-butterfly, free-freestyle, IM-individual medley, MD-middle distance, sprints-50 and 100 freestyle, dive-diving

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Grand Ledge, 2. St. Johns, 3. Holt, 4. Okemos, 5. Jackson, 6. DeWitt, 7. East Lansing, 8. Haslett

Top athletes: Sydney Shipps (DeWitt), Freyja Garbaccio (Okemos), Lisette Fenneuff (DeWitt), Mary Phillips (East Lansing), Katie Thomas (Grand Ledge), Abby Ford (Grand Ledge), Meg Pope (Grand Ledge), Lola Mull (Grand Ledge), Megan Fulton (Haslett), Sarah Williams (Okemos), Rachel Ely (St. Johns), Emma Schaefer (St. Johns), Alexis Lefevre (Holt), Ingrid Petersen (Holt)

DEWITT

Last year: 3-4 (6th)

Coach: Gregg Brace (10th season)

Top returning athletes: Sydney Shipps (jr. back/free), Lisette Fenneuff (so. fly/breast)

Outlook: Shipps, who was an LSJ Dream Team selection last season, and Fenneuff were both all-state performers in 2015. Brace said this season is a rebuilding one for the Panthers, but added that his team has a lot of “raw talent.”

EAST LANSING

Coach: Ron Marsh (37th season)

Top returning athletes: Mary Phillips (so. dive), Kelley Sweitzer (sr. breast), Laurel Cullerton (sr. free), Allegra Forman (sr. breast), Mallory Haynie (jr. free/fly), Lilly Zink (jr. free/back), Mara Logan (so. free), Cydney McKeel (jr. dive)

Other contributors: Alexa Demuth (fr. free), Freya Dufner (fr. IM), Jill Karmmerer (so. breast), Katelyn Meeker (so. free)

Outlook: With 18 new members to the Trojans’ team, Marsh is looking for his newcomers to help build on the success from the end of last year. Phillips, a sophomore, is the reigning LSJ girls diver of the year, won the conference title last season and finished 14th at the Division 2 state tournament.

GRAND LEDGE

Last year: 5-4

Coach: Ian Townsend (8th season)

Top returning athletes: Katie Thomas (sr. free), Abby Ford (so. breast), Alexis Everett (sr. sprints), Emma Cornell (jr. dist.), Amiya Harris (jr. IM/breast)

Other contributors: Meg Pope (sr. breast), Isabel Lee (so. back), Danielle Ries (fr. sprints), Grace Weston (fr. all-around), Lola Mull (Fr. dist./fly)

Outlook: With a strong group of returners mixed in with “possibly the best freshmen class” Townsend has had in his eight years, the Comets look to make a mark in the CAAC Blue in 2016. Thomas and Ford, who holds the school records in the 100 breaststroke and 200 free relay, are returning Dream Teamers. Pope, who was a 2014 Dream Team selection while at St. Johns, is a welcome addition to Grand Ledge’s team after sitting out last season under MHSAA transfer rules. Freshman Lola Mull won four state titles during her middle school career. Townsend sees depth as a strength for his team this season.

HASLETT

Last year: 1-7 (8th)

Coach: Damon Robertson (4th season)

Top returning athletes: Megan Fulton (jr. IM/fly), Amy Kach (sr. dive), Hannah Krajniak (jr. free/back), Chloe Alverson (jr. breast/free)

Other contributors: Molly Lehman (fr. fly/IM), Samantha Eschtruth (fr. back/free), Madeline Glaza (so. dive)

Outlook: With a small, young team, Robertson said the Vikings are looking to build on last year’s eighth-place finish in the league and single events at the state meet. Fulton, a junior, was a state qualifier in 2015 and Kach was a regional qualifier. Krajniak and Alverson are three-year varsity swimmers.

HOLT

Coach: Marty Pohl (9th season)

Top returning athletes: Alexis Lefevre (sr. free), Ingrid Petersen (jr. free/fly), Jessica Jacobs (jr. breast), Noel Lefevre (so. fly/back), Cami Magee (so. breast/free)

Other contributors: Avalon Jones (fr. free), Maggie Hoerner (fr. free/back), Lindsay Richards (fr. free/breast), Sara Pawluk (fr. dive)

Outlook: Pohl is very high on his freshmen class heading into 2016, and he believes that group combining with his established veterans can make the Rams a competitor for the league title. Lefevre is returning for another year and is considered one of the top swimmers in the league. Pohl believes most of the teams in the conference are “pretty close” in terms of talent.

OKEMOS

Last year: 4-3 (3rd)

Coach: Patrick Saucedo (9th season)

Top returning athletes: Freyja Garbaccio (sr. fly/back/IM), Sarah Williams (sr. sprint/free), Jennifer Przybylo (sr. free/fly), Isabella Morris (sr. free/back), Anna Alegi (so. IM/breast), Ryann Quillinan (sr. free)

Other contributors: Sarah Anderson (jr. free/back), Heather Poland (so. free), Taylor Quillinan (sr. free), Claire Kiley (sr. dive)

Outlook: With the return of Garbaccio, the two-time LSJ girls swimmer of the year, the Chiefs are looking to fight for a top-10 finish at the Division 2 state meet. Garbaccio finished fourth in the 100 butterfly and ninth in the 100 backstroke at the state meet last year. Williams was was the CAAC Blue champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyles.

ST. JOHNS

Last year: 10-0 (1st)

Coach: Kim Brewbaker (14th season)

Top returning athletes: Rachel Ely (sr. all-around), Emma Schaefer (sr. all-around), Amber Cousineau (sr. breast/dist.), Tess Burnash (jr. IM/fly), Tatum Grams (jr. back), Kameron Massa (so. dive), Kameron Massa (so. dive), Madi Kotowicz (so. dist.)

Other contributors: Lydia Ely (fr. dist./back), Zoe Vance (fr. back/IM), Morgan Leavitt (so. back), Kinze DeGeer (sr. dive)

Outlook: The Redwings lost several key contributors to graduation, but return LSJ Dream Teamers in Rachel Ely and Schaefer. Cousineau and Burnash both earned all-area honors in 2015. Brewbaker believes his team will once again be competitive in the CAAC Blue and could potentially make a run at the Division 2 state meet.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Waverly/Lansing Catholic, 2. Owosso, 3. Williamston/Lansing Christian,  4. Mason, 5. Ionia, 6. Charlotte, 7. Eaton Rapids, 8. Lansing Legacy

Top returning athletes: Rita El Jbeily (Waverly/Lansing Catholic), Megan Deal (Williamston/Lansing Christian),  Kiana Namvansy (Mason), Mallory Irelan (Owosso), Natalie Crandell (Williamston/Lansing Christian)

CHARLOTTE

No information submitted.

EATON RAPIDS

Coach: David Jackson (4th season)

Top returning athletes: Aubrey Jackson (sr. IM), Sarah Roman (sr. dist.), Kirsten Henderson (sr. breast), Allison Pretzel (jr. back), Lillian Jones (so. dist./IM), Autumn Powell (so. dive)

Outlook: The Greyhounds will return three four-year varsity swimmers in Jackson, Roman and Henderson. Pretzel finished third in the backstroke at the league meet last season. Eaton Rapids will look to continue to climb the CAAC Red standings with strong performances from some of the seniors.

LANSING LEGACY (EVERETT, SEXTON AND EASTERN)

Coach: Nathaniel Burchfield (7th season)

Top returning athletes: Ana Gianiodis (jr. IM/breast), Julia Tominski (so. free/fly), Mary-Margert Bradbury (sr. free)

Other contributors: Katie Lewis (sr. back/free)

Outlook: The combined team of Everett, Sexton and Eastern will rely on its youth to move up the league standings.

MASON

Last year: 4-5 (4th)

Coach: Emily Wilson (2nd season)

Top returning athletes: Kiana Namvansy (sr. 50 and 100 free), Hanna Keller (sr. dive), Ashley Grant (sr. back/free)

Other contributors: Shianne Buxton (sr. free), Emily Bushey (so. IM/breast), Sadie Disselkoen (fr. IM/fly)

Outlook: Wilson sees depth as one of the glaring strengths of the Bulldogs’ team in 2016. Namvansy, Keller and Grant all earned all-area honors last season and are entering at least their third year of varsity experience. Wilson added that if her team can improve its stamina, particularly in breast and fly events, it can go another step this season.

OWOSSO

Last year: 8-5 (3rd)

Coach: Andrew Murray (1st season)

Top returning athletes: Mallory Irelan (jr. fly/free), Madison Wilhelm (sr. dive), Sierra Davis (sr. dive), Natalie Taylor (sr. IM/dist.), Madison Chmiko (sr. free/dist.), Alyssa Barrett (sr. dist./breast), Olivia Reale (sr. back)

Other contributors: Madison Livingston (so. fly/free), Sidney Voss (jr. dist.), Faith Gates (so. dive), Allie Pumford (fr. free), Lily Espinoza (fr. breast)

Outlook: Irelan, who qualified for the state tournament last season, will look to lead a Trojans team that Murray believes is deep and talented. Divers Wilhelm and Davis finished in the top 8 of the conference meet and Chmiko finished in the top 3. As his swimmers look to fill the roles of some of the athletes Owosso lost to graduation, Murray believes his squad will follow an upward trend.

WAVERLY/LANSING CATHOLIC

Last year: 2nd

Coach: David Hill (11th season)

Top returning athletes: Rita El Jbeily (jr. sprint), Marie Kohrman (jr. dist./free), Kelly Ray (jr. breast/back), Natalia Sudol (so. back/breast), Maggie Sanders (jr. free), Mary Sanders (so. free), Laney Nestor (so. breast)

Other contributors: Jacque Poland (jr. free), Ricka Laurich (so. free), Molly Sullivan (jr. free)

Outlook: Despite having no seniors on the roster, Hill believes his team can compete for the league’s top spot. El Jbeily is a two-time LSJ Dream Team selection and won four events at the CAAC Red meet a season ago. Kohrman placed second in the 500 free and third in the 200 free at the league meet. Hill added that he’s hoping his team can pick up off where it left off at the end of last season.

WILLIAMSTON/LANSING CHRISTIAN

Coach: Bob Oliver (3rd season)

Last year: 8-1 (1st)

Top returning athletes: Natalie Crandell (sr. dive), Megan Deal (sr. breast), Maia Guenther (sr. sprint/free), Madison Casteel (sr. free), Tori Manack (sr. IM), Abby Foss (so. fly), June Battjes (jr. fly), Kelsey McElroy (jr. sprint/free)

Other contributors: Katie Mueller (jr. dist./free), Sylvia Schotzko (sr. fly), Lexi Williams (so. back), Amy Anderson (jr. dist./free), Megan Janecke (fr. fly)

Outlook: With the loss of four-time all-state swimmer Allie Heineman to graduation, and eight other seniors, the combined team of Williamston-Lansing Christian will undergo a bit of a rebuilding season. However, Crandell, a senior diver, returns after earning a spot on the LSJ Dream Team and finishing 15th at the state meet last season. Oliver is the reigning LSJ girls swimming coach of the year.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.