Division 1 quarterfinal breakdowns & predictions
The Division 1 playoffs have features some surprising upsets and some expected favorites advancing to the quarterfinal stage. We are left with four intriguing matchups to determine the four that will advance to Battle Creek this weekend. Here’s a closer…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 1 playoffs have features some surprising upsets and some expected favorites advancing to the quarterfinal stage. We are left with four intriguing matchups to determine the four that will advance to Battle Creek this weekend. Here’s a closer look at all four pairings.
Lowell vs. Mattawan – At Jenison
Jenna ReitsmaThese two both have looked like championship contenders this year and have each taken at least one set from top-ranked Mercy. Now, No. 2 Lowell faces No. 3 Mattawan for a spot in the semifinals. The Red Arrows have dropped just one set in the postseason, to No. 8 Hudsonville in the regional final. The Wildcats are a perfect 15-0 in sets in this year’s playoffs. These two did meet back on Sept. 7 with Lowell grabbing a 16-25, 25-17, 15-4 win at the Rockford Rumble. Mattawan has been led by Miss Volleyball finalist Allie Wiese at libero. At this time of year, defense and serve receive is crucial, so she could be the deciding factor in this match. Natalie Foster and Taylor Rutgers are a great 1-2 punch at the net as well for Mattawan. Lowell will look to counter with their 1-2 punch of Jenna Reitsma and Meghan Meyer. Reitsma is approaching 800 kills for the year, something that has only happened 23 other times in MHSAA history. Sophia Powell has done a great job at setter of feeding all the Lowell hitters this year and libero Emma Hall will be up for the challenge of competing with Wiese. Getting past Hudsonville was a big deal for Lowell, as the Arrows lost twice to them during the season. Things seem to just be lining up for Lowell to get to Battle Creek this year. Mattawan is a Battle Creek-worthy team, but it feels like Lowell’s time.
Prediction: Lowell over Mattawan in five
Lake Orion vs. Mount Pleasant – At Lapeer
Olivia ErwinI can’t say I saw Lake Orion returning to Battle Creek this season. The 2018 D1 champs lost so much from their championship squad and had some real rough stretches during the season. However, Tony Scavarda has done a great job of getting his team peaking at the right time. Standing in Lake Orion’s way is a Mount Pleasant team that is making its first quarterfinal appearance in program history. Setter Anna Leigh Alford is one of the top members of the Class of 2022 and will get a chance to show her skills against a top program. The Oilers have a strong defense behind seniors Kolbey Boyd and Jaycee Maxon while hitters Maleah Blake and Mackenzie Egger will be up for the challenge of matching the Dragons at the net. Lake Orion has really put together a solid roster of arms throughout the season. Freshman Nina Horning continues to improve and has a dynamite serve to contend with. Lauren Staruch has turned into a great compliment on the outside while Taylor Butkiewicz is also a consistent finisher. Those three, along with junior middles Kendall Robertson and Reagan Goeke make it tough on opposing defenses. The Lake Orion defense has also improved a great deal. Senior libero Olivia Erwin had big shoes to fill this year, but has filled them well and will be a big key in this match. The Dragons shouldn’t have any nerves for this stage while Mt. Pleasant may. The Oilers haven’t been in this position before and they have to make a long road trip. All signs point to the Dragons being a little too much for the Oilers in this one.
Prediction: Lake Orion over Mt. Pleasant in four
Ann Arbor Skyline vs. Livonia Churchill – At Ann Arbor Huron
Kendall MurrayIt’s been a strong year for KLAA squads and Churchill finds itself in a quarterfinal match. The only problem is, Churchill is running into a red-hot Ann Arbor Skyline that is coming off a sweep of fellow KLAA-power, Novi. One of the great stories in the state this year is the sister duo of Kendall Murray and Harper Murray playing at an elite level together. They are virtually neck-and-neck in kills, with both approaching 700 for the year. Kendall, a Miss Volleyball finalist, has looked even stronger this year with her freshman sister there to back her up. Harper has over 150 aces in 2019 as well and looks to be writing her own Miss Volleyball resume for 2022. Stacie Warner has had a great year at setter feeding them both. Churchill has a veteran squad, led by senior libero Jessica Maladecki and senior outside Sarah Dunn. The Chargers have seven seniors on this team and that experience has helped them work their way to the quarterfinal. That composure should help them avoid any big-match jitters on Tuesday, but Skyline just looks to be on another level right now. I like the Eagles to get to Battle Creek.
Prediction: Skyline over Churchill in three
Mercy vs. L’Anse Creuse North – At St. Clair County Community College
Charli AtiemoThe Marlins have been the preseason favorite all season and they survived a five-set scare from Marian in the regional semifinal to get them to Tuesday’s quarterfinal with L’Anse Creuse North. The Crusaders have had some nice wins over the likes of Anchor Bay and Sterling Heights Stevenson to get to the Elite Eight. A balanced offense run by setter Emily Langlois and a steady defense led by libero Kelsey Starnes has L’Anse Creuse North as a threat for Mercy. Leah Bieniewicz has led the team at the net, but the Chargers have a lot of options to go with. Jordyn Media and Darienne Johnson are two other senior options that finish at a solid rate. The Crusaders will have to finish, because Mercy doesn’t afford opponents a lot of opportunities. Jess Mruzik is a Miss Volleyball finalist and a dominant outside hitter, but the Marlins still may have as much hitting depth as anyone. Kaylin Collins recently suffered a knee injury to take her out of the mix, but the Marlins still have finishers in Ellie Tisko, Charli Atiemo and Leah Lafontaine. Julia Bishop is one of the best setters in the state and keeps the Mercy offense running like a well-oiled machine. The Marlins still are the favorite to win the title in my eyes, so I can’t pick against them now.
Prediction: Mercy over L’Anse Creuse North in three