It is a transitional season in volleyball, as eight of the 12 first- and second-place finishers on last season’s All-County team have graduated.
Lenawee Christian, which reached the Division 4 semifinals and won three straight Lenawee County championships, was able to drop most of its starting lineup.
On the bench: Adrian, Clinton, Morenci and Onsted all have new head coaches.
Here’s a look at what awaits us in the 2024-25 volleyball season:
ADDISON
Head trainer: Barbara Brown, Season 3
2023 finish: District Champion
2024 district: Division 3, District 84: Clinton, Hudson, Napoleon, Onsted, Sand Creek
outlook: The Panthers have back Coach of the Year in Barbara Brown and Player of the Year in Molly Brown, but the supporting cast will look much different with Lexi Patterson, Laci Patterson, Izzy Durkee and Kate Huston all graduating. Addison needs the supporting cast to take starting positions and the new additions to become reliable supporting cast members.
ADRIAN
Head Coach: Margaret Timmis, Season 1
2023 finish: District finalist
2024 district: Division 2, District 50 in Tecumseh: Dundee, Milan, Madison, Tecumseh
outlook: Although Timmis leads the Maples, replacing longtime head coach Kerry Davis, she is no newcomer to the area. Timmis played and coached at Blissfield and was Clinton’s head coach the past two seasons. She takes over a team from Adrian that has graduated much of its roster but returns Second-Team All-County member Ella Salenbien.
BLISSFIELD
Head Coach: Annica Miller, Season 3
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 3, District 85 in Whiteford: Ann Arbor Greenhills, Erie Mason, Monroe SMCC, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep
outlook: The Royals had an incredible run in 2022, dominating the LCAA title, but had to find their rhythm last season after several key members graduated. Senior Peyton Tennant will bring experience to the lineup, while Blissfield hopes the inexperienced group will grow quickly and compete in the LCAA.
BRITTON DEERFIELD
Head trainer: Ella Nightswander, Season 3
2023 finish: District semi-finalist
2024 district: Division 4, Precinct 120 in Morenci: Lenawee Christian, Morenci, Pittsford, Summerfield, Waldron
outlook: Senior Kyra Nighswander will bring experience to the Patriots in her sister’s third season as head coach. BD will look to climb the TCC rankings and hopes the difficulties of the first two seasons will turn into experience.
CLINTON
Head trainer: Kia Rainey, Season 1
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 3, District 84 at Napoleon: Addison, Hudson, Napoleon, Onsted, Sand Creek
outlook: The former standout Madison libero and Hudson assistant coach now leads the Redwolves after Timmis left to take the job at Adrian. Rainey’s Clinton team has veteran all-county player Kaylee Kranz back as it looks to compete in the always tough LCAA.
HUDSON
Head trainer: Kilee Bailey, Season 4
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 3, District 84 at Napoleon: Addison, Clinton, Napoleon, Onsted, Sand Creek
outlook: After great wins under Callie Bauer, Keely Hinzman and Lauren Hill, the Tigers were young and had few wins last season. Hudson hopes that the inexperience from last season has been learned and they can get back on the winning track.
LENAWEE CHRISTIAN
Head trainer: Tenille Marowelli, Season 2
2023 finish: Semi-finalist of Division 4
2024 district: Division 4, Precinct 120 in Morenci: Britton Deerfield, Morenci, Pittsford, Summerfield, Waldron
outlook: The Cougars group will have a fresh look as they revamp the roster after releasing a strong group of seniors last season. LCS will enjoy some stability as Marowelli returns for her second season after the Cougars had a different head coach each of the last three years.
MADISON
Head trainer: Heather Lanning, Season 4
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 2, District 50 in Tecumseh: Adrian, Dundee, Milan, Tecumseh
outlook: Another team with a big new group, as four All-County members have departed from last year’s starting lineup. However, the Trojans always seem to reload instead of rebuilding, so they should be considered a threat in the LCAA until proven otherwise.
MORENCI
Head Coach: Alyssa Malburg, Season 1
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 4, Precinct 120 in Morenci: Britton Deerfield, Lenawee Christian, Pittsford, Summerfield, Waldron
outlook: The Bulldogs will have a young team this season, featuring a starter from last year, Colbie Ekins.
APPLICABLE
Head Coach: Taylor Hutchinson, Season 1
2023 finish: District semi-finalist
2024 district: Division 3, District 84 at Napoleon: Addison, Clinton, Hudson, Napoleon, Sand Creek
outlook: Onsted graduate Hutchinson takes over the program after going through a few rebuilding seasons after a great group of seniors graduated following the 2021 season. The Wildcats don’t have any returning members from across the county, but they do have some experience as they hope to get back to the top of the LCAA.
SAND CREEK
Head Coach: Melissa Griewahn, Season 3
2023 finish: District semi-finalist
2024 district: Division 3, District 84 at Napoleon: Addison, Clinton, Hudson, Napoleon, Onsted
outlook: The Aggies have many players back from last season, including three seniors who were honorable mentions on the county roster: Carley Allen, Maddie Osburn and Hailey Bennett. Sand Creek will look to be one of the top teams in the TCC.
TECUMSEH
Head trainer: Morgan Skelton, Season 4
2023 Target: District kick-off
2024 district: Division 2, District 50 at home: Adrian, Dundee, Milan, Madison
outlook: Junior Emma Eldred will look to lead one of the more experienced groups in the county this season. Joining Eldred are senior Alli Zajac and junior Chloe Bullinger as Tecumseh will look to compete for the SEC White title and more this season.
