TECUMSEH — Morgan Skelton is beginning her sixth season as coach of the Tecumseh volleyball program, and although Skelton returns key standouts from last season, the Indians must fight to avoid taking a step back.
“I am hopeful that we will remain a threat in the county and also in the SEC White,” said Skelton, whose team reached the Division 2 quarterfinals last year. “It is a bit of a rebuilding year, but we do have a few returners that know the expectations well and have the ability to set the standard for the team. I am looking forward to developing the new players while also pushing them to be their most competitive self.”
Sophomore outside hitter Riley Harrah earned all-state second-team honors in 2025 as a freshman. She also received first-team all-conference SEC White Division, all-county, and all-region honors. “Riley is a dominant outside hitter and defensive specialist,” Skelton said. “Her explosiveness sets her apart from other players, and she produces on the court and is an outstanding leader.”
Senior middle blocker Addi Zajac, who earned first-team all-conference honors, recorded the highest hitting percentage on the team for 2025. Senior middle blocker Maddie McFarland was a dominant defender at the net and performed well offensively.
“Addi brings a lot of experience when it comes to a winning program,” Skelton said. “Being a multi-sport athlete, she knows what it takes to be successful and puts in the work to get better every day. Maddie is the leader of the team. Her communication, effort, and ability to talk to her teammates and hold them to a high standard is essential for our success.”
Although the Indians might not duplicate last season’s success, a perfect 10-0 in the SEC and a 56-3 record, Skelton said she expects her players to produce on the court.
“I hope to see consistency in every aspect,” Skelton said. “Whether that means how we are producing both offensively and defensively, our competitive edge, and our ability to regroup ourselves when things don’t go our way. I want my players to want to win all of the time and be willing to do whatever it takes for their team to be successful.”
Addison: Coach Rayel Ferris and Addison finished with three Cascades Conference wins in 2025. The Panthers defeated Britton Deerfield in the opening round of the Division 4 district tournament but fell to Summerfield in the semifinals.
Adrian: After two down seasons, coach Margaret Timmis begins her third season as Adrian looks to move up in the ranks and stake its claim on the court.
“This season, I expect our team to do very well,” Timmis said. “We have been rebuilding for the last two seasons, and while there is still room to grow, we have an upperclassmen-led team this year, and the girls are ready to show everyone who they are.”
Junior outside hitter Addyson Martolock and junior libero Edynn Eichorn are returning, and Timmis expects great things from them this fall. “Addyson is an all-around player on our team,” she said. “Incredibly strong, smart, and top-tier player. Edynn is a fearless leader who is disciplined, hardworking, and pushes her team to do better.”
The Maples finished in the middle of the pack of the Southeastern Conference White Division, and Timmis wants her players to step up.
“I want to see them take ownership of the team and really hold one another to a standard,” said Timmis, whose team earned a win over Columbia Central in the opening round of the Division 2 district tournament but fell to Tecumseh in a semifinal match.
“We have been working diligently on working together and communicating, so to see these girls come together and look clean in their play and enjoy one another is a huge goal for all of us,” Timmis said.
Blissfield: Coach Annica Miller enters her fifth season and eighth overall at Blissfield as her program looks to reinvent itself ahead of a youth movement.
“We have a very young team this year, but we are using that to our advantage,” said Miller, whose team finished seventh in the LCAA last year. “Time is on our side, and we plan on taking advantage of that to build this team up over the next three years.”
Setter Brooklyn Fetzer is the only returning senior for the Royals. “This will be her third year on varsity, and she is stepping up as a leader and captain this season,” Miller said.
Junior libero Harper Collins, sophomore middle hitter Layla Gilbert, and sophomore outside hitter Grace Nieman will step into prominent roles.
“This year, we are focusing all of our goals and development on building a strong foundation both with our skills and with our team culture,” Miller said. “I expect our team to compete with our league teams and the tournaments we are in this year.”
Britton Deerfield: Coach Katelyn Becker and Britton Deerfield managed two wins last season. The Patriots fell to Addison in the opening round of the Division 4 district tournament.
Clinton: An undefeated record in the Lenawee County Athletic Association, a Division 3 district final appearance, and a third-place finish in the county-wide tournament in 2025 give coach Kia Rainey and her Clinton squad reason to beam in 2026.
“I think that we have a good shot to continue to compete [at a high level] and to be at the top of the league,” said Rainey, whose team dominated the LCAA last fall.
Middle hitter Bella Bannon, outside hitter Makenna Gore, defensive specialist/libero Calli Kruger, and setter Avery Loftis, all seniors, are joined by defensive specialist Lila Kennedy, outside hitter Rylee Pepper, and middle hitter Abby Sheneman, all juniors, and sophomore setter Addison Loftis as returning players for Clinton.
Rainey said she wants her players to be able to execute the little pieces of the game each day in practices and games. If the Redwolves do that, Rainey feels her team will achieve their goals for the season and more as it goes on.
Hudson: Coach Hunter Freitas starts his second season at the helm of the Hudson program, and hopes are high for improvement and a move in the always-competitive LCAA.
“The expectation is that in my second year, we strive for improvement,” said Freitas, whose team finished fifth in the league. “Last year, we had many games with low energy, which led to underperforming performances. Considering they went 3-33 the prior year, I think many of the older girls came into games against Clinton, Ida, and Dundee feeling like they were going to lose. Whereas we overperformed against out-of-league opponents.”
Freitas said he would like to see that change, and if that is to happen, a trio of Tigers will lead the charge. Senior middle hitter/blocker Lena Leyva, junior libero Maci Godfrey, and sophomore outside hitter Clara Mansfield are returning.
Godfrey recorded a team-best 258 digs and 23 aces, while Leyva had 168 kills, 37 blocks, and 32 aces. Mansfield chipped in 137 kills and 69 digs as a freshman last fall.
“Maci feeds off of high competition; expectations are for her to be the best libero in the county,” Freitas said. “Lena is very reliable and involved; one of the only upperclassmen hitters and having fun with the new offense with our freshman setter. Clara has developed a very heavy arm, a six-rotation outside who gets better every day.”
Freshmen Jayce Beal, a 4-foot-10 setter, and right-side hitter/blocker Waverly Boggs, along with sophomore Brooklyn Isenhower, an outside hitter, are newcomers to the program with potential to contribute right away, Freitas said.
“I want to see our offense start to become reliable and consistent,” said Freitas, whose squad finished 15-18-1 but reached the Division 3 district final last season. “When we are playing at our best, our offense can be deadly; however, it is currently very inconsistent. When we are at our worst, our serve-receive and defense are stellar. So, limiting unforced errors is going to be crucial.”
Lenawee Christian: Last year, coach Tenille Marowelli and Lenawee Christian went 29-11-3 on their way to a shared Tri-County Conference championship and Division 4 district title win over Summerfield. Now, Marowelli returns a dominating veteran squad as the Cougars look for more in 2026.
“It’s exciting to have nearly an entire team return two years in a row,” Marowelli said. “These girls are unified, determined, and committed to excellence. On and off the court, they continue to work to display servant leadership and a selfless mindset. … These girls have worked incredibly hard over the last few years, and we are excited to see what new heights they can reach.”
Seniors setter Brynn Davis, middle blocker Ava Feick, middle blocker Gigi Masters, right-side hitter Hannah Acuna Holloway, and defensive specialist Hannah Wynn return for their final campaign under Marowelli.
Juniors libero Leah Sherman and outside hitter Zoe Cherfan, along with sophomore outside hitter Hattie Fansler, also return for LCS.
“Our theme we chose for this season is ‘Unshaken,’ ” said Marowelli, whose team lost in the regional semifinals against Hillsdale Academy. “The idea is that no matter the circumstance, on and off the court, we will stand firm in our faith, continue to build trust in our teammates, display our dedication to excellence, and live ‘Unshaken’ under pressure.”
Madison: Coach Madison Coward and the Madison volleyball squad finished second in the LCAA behind Clinton, going 35-15-2 last year. The Trojans defeated Chelsea in the Division 2 district semifinals but fell to Tecumseh in the district final match.
Morenci: Erin Ekins begins her second season as the Morenci volleyball coach and looks to build on the best team performance in more than a decade.
“We had our best record in over 10 years last year, and we’d love to improve it in 2026,” said Ekins, whose team finished 13-15-1 and took fifth in the Tri-County Conference.
Senior middle hitter Colbie Ekins is returning. As a junior, Ekins earned Division 4 all-region honors along with all-conference honors. Joining her on the court are outside hitter Emma Williams and right-side and middle hitter Tessa Zuvers, both seniors. A pair of backrow specialists, seniors Callie VanBrandt and Savanna Miles, return. Junior libero Tavin Kruse and sophomore Jordan Ekins will contribute, too.
Onsted: A strong blend of veteran experience and talented underclassmen provides hope for Taylor Hutchinson as she starts her third season at Onsted.
“My expectations for the 2026 season are high,” Hutchinson said. “We have a group with a good mix of returning varsity experience and younger athletes who are ready to step into larger roles.”
Seniors outside/middle hitter Hadley Ross and setter Lauren Terakedis return for their third season on the Onsted varsity. Each provides strong leadership.
“Our goal is to continue building a competitive program that plays with confidence, discipline and toughness,” Hutchinson said.
Outside hitter Kayla Gerken and libero/back-row specialist Grace Teske, both juniors, also return. Hutchinson wants each to be known for their respective offensive and defensive skills.
“I want to see our athletes continue to grow, not only as volleyball players, but also as teammates and young women,” she said. “I want them to be coachable, competitive, accountable, and willing to put the team before themselves.”
Sand Creek: Coach Taylor Garcia begins her second season with Sand Creek, and with only a handful of wins last season, there is nowhere to go but up.
“With eight seniors filling the majority of the team, I believe we have a really strong team ahead of us,” said Garcia, whose team finished fourth in the TCC. “I have had the privilege of coaching six of the eight seniors through all four years of high school. This group of athletes, including our newcomers, are all such well-rounded players with the drive and the desire to take Sand Creek to the top.”
Last season, Onsted eliminated the Aggies in the Division 3 district tournament.
Senior libero Jalyn Snyder, a four-year member of the Sand Creek program, returns for her final season. “She has really taken charge of the back row, making it her own,” Garcia said. “Jalyn’s determination, confidence, and drive make her unstoppable.”
Senior Sydney Marks, a three-year member of the team, is a six-rotation player, showing her dominance in both the front and back rows. “Sydney’s positivity, encouragement, and focus make her a fantastic leader, both on and off the court,” Garcia said.
Senior Elise Wilkinson returns for her second season as a powerhouse middle blocker. “I believe she will be a huge asset to us this season,” Garcia said. “Elise is driven, uplifting, and full of team spirit. I am looking forward to watching her dominate the front row this season.”