2020 MHSAA Postseason: Division 1 Regional Predictions
It was a chaotic week of district volleyball last week, with plenty of memorable matches and moments. As always, there were some upsets along the way, but now we sit with 32 teams remaining in Division 1. Here’s my thoughts…
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Continue ReadingIt was a chaotic week of district volleyball last week, with plenty of memorable matches and moments.
As always, there were some upsets along the way, but now we sit with 32 teams remaining in Division 1.
Here’s my thoughts on each of the eight regional tournaments taking place this week and my winner in each one.
Related: Division 2 Regional Predictions
Related: Division 3 Regional Predictions
Related: Division 4 Regional Predictions
Regional 1 at Midland
Semifinal Matchups: Traverse City West vs. Mount Pleasant, Flushing vs. Grand Blanc
Breakdown: This is a solid regional with four teams that were really tested during district play, each of which dropped a set along the way. There is a lot of comparative opponents for these squads, some even playing each other already. The team that makes the fewest unforced errors is likely to come away with it, which is I like Traverse City West. The Titans have been able to come away with competitive sets against strong teams because of their consistency.
Finals Prediction: Traverse City West over Flushing
Regional 2 at Stoney Creek
Semifinal Matchups: Troy vs. Clarkston, Utica Eisenhower vs. Lakeland
Breakdown: Troy and Lakeland had some tough finals to get to regional play, but very difficult challenges await. Clarkston and Eisenhower have been teams we’ve been expecting big things from since the season began and it feels like a regional final meeting in inevitable. These two split two matches during the season and a third would be a classic. Eisenhower has played really clean and has the two major power arms. Clarkston is a little more balanced and fundamentally sound, especially on defense. Two senior-heavy teams leaves this one as a toss-up. The coin landed on tails.
Finals Prediction: Clarkston over Utica Eisenhower
Regional 3 at Rockford
Semifinal Matchups: Rockford vs. Grand Haven, Byron Center vs. Lowell
Breakdown: What a tremendous region. Three teams in the top six of our D1 rankings, while Grand Haven has been inside the top 20 all season. Rockford has been on a tear throughout October. Byron Center has a chip on its shoulder and eager to prove it belongs. Lowell is the 2019 D1 runner-up with some senior leaders that want to get back to Battle Creek. Ultimately, I see the Byron Center vs. Lowell winner in Tuesday’s semifinal taking the regional title. While Byron Center has a win over the Red Arrows, that winning experience from a year ago will help carry Lowell to a challenging win.
Finals Prediction: Lowell over Rockford
Regional 4 at Battle Creek Lakeview
Semifinal Matchups: Jackson Northwest vs. Portage Central, Richland Gull Lake vs. DeWitt
Breakdown: This regional bracket features mostly teams that are pretty familiar with one another and each have garnered some set wins over the other. Portage Central really turned it on last week and I think the Mustangs are going to be the team to beat this week. DeWitt and Gull Lake could go either way. It’s going to come down to the team that can pass better.
Finals Prediction: Portage Central over DeWitt.
Regional 5 at Dexter
Semifinal Matchups: Trenton vs. Ann Arbor Skyline, Belleville vs. Temperance Bedford
Breakdown: Skyline is a team that made a run to the state semifinals last year. While losing a big piece to that squad, standout sophomore Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI has continued her ascension to another level of play. Bedford is a solid team that has been in our Division 1 rankings for most of the year, but the Kicking Mules have struggled against Skyline.
Finals Prediction: Skyline over Bedford
Regional 6 at Dearborn
Semifinal Matchups: Dearborn Divine Child vs. South Lyon East, Novi vs. Allen Park
Breakdown: Novi had to fight hard to win its district opener against Northville, but that propelled the Wildcats to two great performances to finish the week. I like Novi to continue that momentum this week. Divine Child has played a lot of tough teams in the CHSL, while South Lyon East is accustomed to some five-set matches from its time in the Lakes Valley Conference. That semifinal seems like a bit of a toss-up.
Finals Prediction: Novi over South Lyon East
Regional 7 at Troy Athens
Semifinal Matchups: Berkley vs. Farmington Hills Mercy, Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Dearborn Fordson
Breakdown: District titles are a great way for Berkley and Fordson to cap their season. Both are just in over their heads this week. Mercy and Marian are playing at another level and seem certain to meet for a fourth time, as usual. The Mustangs hand the Marlins their only loss this year and Marian has been playing as well as anyone for about the last month. Can the senior-less team now get it done with all the pressure on? Mercy has the senior leadership and experience of last year’s championship run to rely on. Plus, Marian winning the last meeting is a nice bit of extra motivation. I have to stick with the defending champs.
Finals Prediction: Mercy over Marian
Regional 8 at Utica Ford
Semifinal Matchups: Fraser vs. Macomb Dakota, Utica vs. Grosse Pointe South
Breakdown: These four are all pretty familiar with one another. Fraser and Dakota have the most bragging rights heading into the regional, but they meet in the semifinal. The Cougars have been right on the cusp of breaking into the top 10 all season. Now is their chance. Their tough losses throughout the fall should have led to some lessons they can turn to this week.
Finals Prediction: Dakota over Utica