By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team kicks off its new season tonight with a road contest at Muskegon Oakridge.
Head coach Joe Woodruff returns for his sixth season patrolling the sidelines for the Chix. He has led East to state playoff appearances each of the last three years, only to see East go down to defeat in the first round each time.
Last season, the Chix finished 6-4, 2-3 in the O-K Green Conference.
“I think our offense has to become more consistent in what we’re doing. We have to find an identity on offense as to what we want to do,” Woodruff said. “In the five years or so we’ve been here, we’ve taken tremendous strides on defense. We’ve got to continue those improvements and play solid on defense. To be honest with you, we’ve got to get our special teams to become a weapon for us.”
Woodruff has plenty of returning weapons to help his offense take that next step, led by senior quarterback Will Drnek. A four-year varsity player, Drnek completed 69.4 percent of his passes a year ago (127 of 183) for 1,687 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing only four interceptions.
Drnek will have his two favorite receiving targets back for their senior year – Isaiah Boonstra, a second-team Michigan Associated Press All-State selection who caught 46 passes for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and Coby Miller, who reeled in 40 receptions for 558 yards and three touchdowns.
Another key returnee for East is senior Zeek Ramadhani, who had a breakout season as an edge rusher a year ago. The 230-pound Ramadhani, who is expected to start on both sides of the ball, had 20 quarterback pressures, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Junior Max Gomez is another player to watch on both the offensive and defensive lines.
With nearly all of East’s linebacking corps from a year ago lost to graduation, senior Kalob Willis is expected to take on a leadership role. Willis is the leading returning tackler for the Chix, having made 49 stops last season.
Woodruff is excited about his sophomore class, with several players from that class expected to step into starting assignments this season. Offensive lineman Jason Harmon and defensive end/tight end Caleb Martin started as freshmen a year ago.
One of the most significant additions to the East football program – and the athletic program as a whole – has been in the area of conditioning, where Tyler Mayo has been brought on as director of strength and performance. Mayo comes to East from the University of Illinois, where he was on the Fighting Illini football staff the last three years as assistant strength and conditioning coach.
“The weight room is one of those things that we always think we can get better at, and Tyler’s just done a fantastic job with that,” Woodruff said.
Key games for the Chix include a home showdown with Unity Christian Sept. 11, the annual Bird Bowl with Zeeland West Oct. 2 and a road test at Grand Rapids South Christian Oct. 16.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland East varsity football team kicks off its new season tonight with a road contest at Muskegon Oakridge.
Head coach Joe Woodruff returns for his sixth season patrolling the sidelines for the Chix. He has led East to state playoff appearances each of the last three years, only to see East go down to defeat in the first round each time.
Last season, the Chix finished 6-4, 2-3 in the O-K Green Conference.
“I think our offense has to become more consistent in what we’re doing. We have to find an identity on offense as to what we want to do,” Woodruff said. “In the five years or so we’ve been here, we’ve taken tremendous strides on defense. We’ve got to continue those improvements and play solid on defense. To be honest with you, we’ve got to get our special teams to become a weapon for us.”
Woodruff has plenty of returning weapons to help his offense take that next step, led by senior quarterback Will Drnek. A four-year varsity player, Drnek completed 69.4 percent of his passes a year ago (127 of 183) for 1,687 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing only four interceptions.
Drnek will have his two favorite receiving targets back for their senior year – Isaiah Boonstra, a second-team Michigan Associated Press All-State selection who caught 46 passes for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and Coby Miller, who reeled in 40 receptions for 558 yards and three touchdowns.
Another key returnee for East is senior Zeek Ramadhani, who had a breakout season as an edge rusher a year ago. The 230-pound Ramadhani, who is expected to start on both sides of the ball, had 20 quarterback pressures, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Junior Max Gomez is another player to watch on both the offensive and defensive lines.
With nearly all of East’s linebacking corps from a year ago lost to graduation, senior Kalob Willis is expected to take on a leadership role. Willis is the leading returning tackler for the Chix, having made 49 stops last season.
Woodruff is excited about his sophomore class, with several players from that class expected to step into starting assignments this season. Offensive lineman Jason Harmon and defensive end/tight end Caleb Martin started as freshmen a year ago.
One of the most significant additions to the East football program – and the athletic program as a whole – has been in the area of conditioning, where Tyler Mayo has been brought on as director of strength and performance. Mayo comes to East from the University of Illinois, where he was on the Fighting Illini football staff the last three years as assistant strength and conditioning coach.
“The weight room is one of those things that we always think we can get better at, and Tyler’s just done a fantastic job with that,” Woodruff said.
Key games for the Chix include a home showdown with Unity Christian Sept. 11, the annual Bird Bowl with Zeeland West Oct. 2 and a road test at Grand Rapids South Christian Oct. 16.
A New Era Begins for East Volleyball
The Zeeland East varsity volleyball team captured the championship of the Cadillac High School Invitational last Saturday, defeating the host Vikings in the championship match.
Photo courtesy Jake Szetela Photography
Photo courtesy Jake Szetela Photography
By Esbehidy Hernandez
Zeeland Record
Following a stunning 31-5 season last year, Jake Szetela is taking over as head coach for the Zeeland East varsity volleyball team.
After coaching club and junior varsity girls volleyball teams for a decade, Szetela stepped down from his position as junior varsity coach at Kenowa Hills High School at the end of last season.
Nine days after his announcement, he saw a social media post mentioning the retirement of former head coach Sara Mulder, who coached for 11 seasons at Zeeland East.
Szetela truly felt it was time to turn the page with his family.
However, Szetela viewed the post as an opportunity to grow and continue to build on a successful program. He recalled, “The reason this [the position] stood out to me is, one, I knew a lot of the girls on the team already from coaching club,” and two, “I can finally coach somewhere where my family is part of that.”
Each thought made the idea of returning to coaching at East a reality.
Szetela is transitioning into his new role as varsity head coach. He's working strategically to ensure the team can navigate the changes, expectations, coaching styles, and practices while remaining firm and steady and still appreciating everything Mulder has done for the program.
“She’s been a lifeline,” he shared with the Zeeland Record.
Also on the sideline is varsity assistant coach and three-time All-American and United States National Team member Ali Bastianelli.
“Very few high school programs have a former 9-year pro on staff, and she’s been incredible as a volleyball mind to have in our gym. She is obviously an accomplished player with a list of accomplishments a mile long, but what she brings for our girls as a person off the court is just as valuable, and the benefits of her involvement with our program are already showing up. She’s a truly unique resource and mentor for our girls, and it’s one part of what we think makes Zeeland East volleyball a special place to be,” said Szetela.
Coach Szetela also plans on transferring his knowledge and skills from his time coaching at FarOut, a West Michigan club volleyball program based in Grand Rapids.
“I want to coach fun, efficient practices that kids can get a lot of quality volleyball in.” For Szetela, this means coaching players through drills, mentally and physically, while also actively leaning toward their goal of winning a state championship.
East approaches the season hungry for the next best thing while recognizing and embracing its past. This year, the Chix are coming in hot with two Division I-committed athletes: senior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon, who has committed to Ohio University, and setter Kyla Kuiper, who has committed to Boston College. These two have already stepped up to their roles as player-coaches, ensuring that even the youngest on the team learn that there is a culture of expectation and vision molding the next generation of athletes.
Alongside those two key players, East had many valuable players return for the season, leading by example. Risdon recorded 84 kills, 11 aces and 48 digs. Kuiper recorded 175 assists and 12 aces, while middle hitter Bri Cole contributed 35 kills and 10 blocks. Outside hitter Ava Geerlings added 35 kills and 10 aces, while defensive presence Leah Keur recorded 42 digs.
East is not in any preseason or ranking polls yet. Still, Szetela and the team believe this season is about writing their own story and taking ownership of their identity on and off the court, making East the best place to compete.
Szetela says the team has “been a blessing to coach already” and that he “can’t wait to see what they can do.”
“I think the thing I'm most excited to show the community is a group of girls that do it the right way,” he said.
The Chix are already off to an 8-0 start to the season – opening with victories Aug. 19 over Stevensville Lakeshore and West Ottawa, and then winning six straight matches last Saturday at a tournament in Cadillac. East defeated the host Vikings in the championship match, 27-25, 25-20.
The Chix invite all the energy for their upcoming match Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. against Holland High School, with a Pink Out match and a youth camp community night.
Zeeland Record
Following a stunning 31-5 season last year, Jake Szetela is taking over as head coach for the Zeeland East varsity volleyball team.
After coaching club and junior varsity girls volleyball teams for a decade, Szetela stepped down from his position as junior varsity coach at Kenowa Hills High School at the end of last season.
Nine days after his announcement, he saw a social media post mentioning the retirement of former head coach Sara Mulder, who coached for 11 seasons at Zeeland East.
Szetela truly felt it was time to turn the page with his family.
However, Szetela viewed the post as an opportunity to grow and continue to build on a successful program. He recalled, “The reason this [the position] stood out to me is, one, I knew a lot of the girls on the team already from coaching club,” and two, “I can finally coach somewhere where my family is part of that.”
Each thought made the idea of returning to coaching at East a reality.
Szetela is transitioning into his new role as varsity head coach. He's working strategically to ensure the team can navigate the changes, expectations, coaching styles, and practices while remaining firm and steady and still appreciating everything Mulder has done for the program.
“She’s been a lifeline,” he shared with the Zeeland Record.
Also on the sideline is varsity assistant coach and three-time All-American and United States National Team member Ali Bastianelli.
“Very few high school programs have a former 9-year pro on staff, and she’s been incredible as a volleyball mind to have in our gym. She is obviously an accomplished player with a list of accomplishments a mile long, but what she brings for our girls as a person off the court is just as valuable, and the benefits of her involvement with our program are already showing up. She’s a truly unique resource and mentor for our girls, and it’s one part of what we think makes Zeeland East volleyball a special place to be,” said Szetela.
Coach Szetela also plans on transferring his knowledge and skills from his time coaching at FarOut, a West Michigan club volleyball program based in Grand Rapids.
“I want to coach fun, efficient practices that kids can get a lot of quality volleyball in.” For Szetela, this means coaching players through drills, mentally and physically, while also actively leaning toward their goal of winning a state championship.
East approaches the season hungry for the next best thing while recognizing and embracing its past. This year, the Chix are coming in hot with two Division I-committed athletes: senior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon, who has committed to Ohio University, and setter Kyla Kuiper, who has committed to Boston College. These two have already stepped up to their roles as player-coaches, ensuring that even the youngest on the team learn that there is a culture of expectation and vision molding the next generation of athletes.
Alongside those two key players, East had many valuable players return for the season, leading by example. Risdon recorded 84 kills, 11 aces and 48 digs. Kuiper recorded 175 assists and 12 aces, while middle hitter Bri Cole contributed 35 kills and 10 blocks. Outside hitter Ava Geerlings added 35 kills and 10 aces, while defensive presence Leah Keur recorded 42 digs.
East is not in any preseason or ranking polls yet. Still, Szetela and the team believe this season is about writing their own story and taking ownership of their identity on and off the court, making East the best place to compete.
Szetela says the team has “been a blessing to coach already” and that he “can’t wait to see what they can do.”
“I think the thing I'm most excited to show the community is a group of girls that do it the right way,” he said.
The Chix are already off to an 8-0 start to the season – opening with victories Aug. 19 over Stevensville Lakeshore and West Ottawa, and then winning six straight matches last Saturday at a tournament in Cadillac. East defeated the host Vikings in the championship match, 27-25, 25-20.
The Chix invite all the energy for their upcoming match Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. against Holland High School, with a Pink Out match and a youth camp community night.
Dux Ready for Second Season Under Bolhouse
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland West varsity football team is entering the 2026 season with a great deal of optimism, after an 8-4 season last year in Jeff Bolhouse’s first year as its head coach.
The Dux made the state playoffs for the 16th consecutive year, reaching the Division 3 regional round by knocking off Niles and St. Joseph, both on the road, before suffering a heartbreaking two-point loss to Lowell. They enter the season needing seven wins to reach 200 all-time victories as a program.
West is expected to be led in Bolhouse’s second season by senior halfback Brandon Holman, who scored 26 touchdowns a year ago in earning first-team Michigan Associated Press All-State honors.
Holman rushed for 1,436 yards on 198 carries, averaging 7.3 yards a carry, and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught a team-high 17 passes for 394 yards and six more scores. In addition, he averaged 28.4 yards per kickoff return, including an 83-yard return for a touchdown against Whitehall.
Defensively, Holman made a team-high 64 tackles and intercepted four passes, including a 62-yard pick-6 in the season opener against Detroit Old Redford.
Holman will have plenty of returning company in the West backfield. Also back are senior quarterback Drew Albrecht and senior back Niko Moungkhoun, the latter who was an honorable mention All-State selection.
Albrecht completed 29 of 52 passes for 639 yards – an eye-popping average of 22.1 yards per completion – and nine touchdowns last season, and added 170 yards on the ground and two more TDs. Defensively, he was West’s second-leading tackler with 51 tackles and intercepted two passes.
Moungkhoun, meanwhile, averaged 8.6 yards per carry as he rushed for 637 yards and three touchdowns on offense, while making 36.5 tackles and picking off three passes on defense.
As usual, West will rely on strong front lines, both on offense and defense. Senior Jace Henry returns for a third season as the Dux starting center on offense and will also be an interior anchor on defense. Last season, Henry made 35.5 tackles.
Other players to watch defensively for West include senior defensive back Logan Nash (four interceptions a year ago, three of them in the postseason), senior two-way lineman Weston Headley (37.5 tackles), senior end Grady Patrick (6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks), junior lineman Luke Walters (five tackles for loss and two sacks), senior lineman Eli Chavez and senior lineman Ethan Malec.
The Dux open their season Friday night at Cedar Springs with kickoff at 7 p.m. Other key matchups this season include a road test at Grand Rapids South Christian on Sept. 25, the Bird Bowl showdown with Zeeland East Oct. 2 at Zeeland Stadium and another road showdown on Oct. 9 at Unity Christian.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland West varsity football team is entering the 2026 season with a great deal of optimism, after an 8-4 season last year in Jeff Bolhouse’s first year as its head coach.
The Dux made the state playoffs for the 16th consecutive year, reaching the Division 3 regional round by knocking off Niles and St. Joseph, both on the road, before suffering a heartbreaking two-point loss to Lowell. They enter the season needing seven wins to reach 200 all-time victories as a program.
West is expected to be led in Bolhouse’s second season by senior halfback Brandon Holman, who scored 26 touchdowns a year ago in earning first-team Michigan Associated Press All-State honors.
Holman rushed for 1,436 yards on 198 carries, averaging 7.3 yards a carry, and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught a team-high 17 passes for 394 yards and six more scores. In addition, he averaged 28.4 yards per kickoff return, including an 83-yard return for a touchdown against Whitehall.
Defensively, Holman made a team-high 64 tackles and intercepted four passes, including a 62-yard pick-6 in the season opener against Detroit Old Redford.
Holman will have plenty of returning company in the West backfield. Also back are senior quarterback Drew Albrecht and senior back Niko Moungkhoun, the latter who was an honorable mention All-State selection.
Albrecht completed 29 of 52 passes for 639 yards – an eye-popping average of 22.1 yards per completion – and nine touchdowns last season, and added 170 yards on the ground and two more TDs. Defensively, he was West’s second-leading tackler with 51 tackles and intercepted two passes.
Moungkhoun, meanwhile, averaged 8.6 yards per carry as he rushed for 637 yards and three touchdowns on offense, while making 36.5 tackles and picking off three passes on defense.
As usual, West will rely on strong front lines, both on offense and defense. Senior Jace Henry returns for a third season as the Dux starting center on offense and will also be an interior anchor on defense. Last season, Henry made 35.5 tackles.
Other players to watch defensively for West include senior defensive back Logan Nash (four interceptions a year ago, three of them in the postseason), senior two-way lineman Weston Headley (37.5 tackles), senior end Grady Patrick (6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high three sacks), junior lineman Luke Walters (five tackles for loss and two sacks), senior lineman Eli Chavez and senior lineman Ethan Malec.
The Dux open their season Friday night at Cedar Springs with kickoff at 7 p.m. Other key matchups this season include a road test at Grand Rapids South Christian on Sept. 25, the Bird Bowl showdown with Zeeland East Oct. 2 at Zeeland Stadium and another road showdown on Oct. 9 at Unity Christian.
West Volleyball Builds Momentum Heading into the New Season
By Esbehidy Hernandez
Zeeland Record
Zeeland West Volleyball Head Coach Chris Mack returns for the second year of his second go-round as coach, ready to lead the Dux to success.
Mack believes it’s not enough to guide the next generation of leaders through his work as principal at Woodbridge Elementary School, he also wants to coach varsity volleyball at Zeeland West. After stepping down as head coach and preparing to move on in 2019 after 15 seasons as varsity coach of the Dux, he later saw an opportunity to coach the program his daughter is in and continue guiding the team over the next few seasons.
After returning to the program, he welcomed the chance to create more coaching memories with the team alongside his family.
Last season, Mack and the girls worked together to diagnose areas for improvement and restructure the team’s mindset. Matches then focused on a high volleyball IQ and re-learning how to win, with Mack saying they were “getting 1% better every day” and showing no signs of slowing down.
This momentum is carrying over into this season’s program.
West returns with key contributors from last season, and four of the players are statistical standouts from last season; setter Elle Creevy returns after recording 322 assists last season. Middle hitter Hannah VanderZwaag added 146 kills and 24 aces, while outside hitter Brielle Carlson recorded 142 kills and 43 aces. Outside hitter Sadie Kragt also returned after contributing 83 kills.
This season’s team is made up of five seniors, seven juniors, and two sophomores. The older players’ strong leadership has helped establish and maintain the team’s culture during practices and matches.
The Dux posted a 3-2 record in their season-opening tournament at Grand Haven last Saturday – losing in straight sets to Grand Rapids South Christian and the host Buccaneers, but then bouncing back to defeat DeWitt, Livonia Stevenson and Plainwell.
West pulled out a two-point win over DeWitt in the third and deciding set of their match and downed Plainwell 15-11 in the decisive third set.
West continues to carry the standard into their next matches at the Western Michigan Christian Invitational on Saturday in Muskegon.
Zeeland Record
Zeeland West Volleyball Head Coach Chris Mack returns for the second year of his second go-round as coach, ready to lead the Dux to success.
Mack believes it’s not enough to guide the next generation of leaders through his work as principal at Woodbridge Elementary School, he also wants to coach varsity volleyball at Zeeland West. After stepping down as head coach and preparing to move on in 2019 after 15 seasons as varsity coach of the Dux, he later saw an opportunity to coach the program his daughter is in and continue guiding the team over the next few seasons.
After returning to the program, he welcomed the chance to create more coaching memories with the team alongside his family.
Last season, Mack and the girls worked together to diagnose areas for improvement and restructure the team’s mindset. Matches then focused on a high volleyball IQ and re-learning how to win, with Mack saying they were “getting 1% better every day” and showing no signs of slowing down.
This momentum is carrying over into this season’s program.
West returns with key contributors from last season, and four of the players are statistical standouts from last season; setter Elle Creevy returns after recording 322 assists last season. Middle hitter Hannah VanderZwaag added 146 kills and 24 aces, while outside hitter Brielle Carlson recorded 142 kills and 43 aces. Outside hitter Sadie Kragt also returned after contributing 83 kills.
This season’s team is made up of five seniors, seven juniors, and two sophomores. The older players’ strong leadership has helped establish and maintain the team’s culture during practices and matches.
The Dux posted a 3-2 record in their season-opening tournament at Grand Haven last Saturday – losing in straight sets to Grand Rapids South Christian and the host Buccaneers, but then bouncing back to defeat DeWitt, Livonia Stevenson and Plainwell.
West pulled out a two-point win over DeWitt in the third and deciding set of their match and downed Plainwell 15-11 in the decisive third set.
West continues to carry the standard into their next matches at the Western Michigan Christian Invitational on Saturday in Muskegon.
