2021 Prep Preview: Questions for the four D4 semifinalists
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Division 4 had a lot of twists and turns throughout its 2020 postseason. Some were due to upsets, but some were unfortunately due to the pandemic. Ultimately, four teams that didn’t reach the semifinals in 2019 managed to get to…
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Continue ReadingDivision 4 had a lot of twists and turns throughout its 2020 postseason.
Some were due to upsets, but some were unfortunately due to the pandemic.
Ultimately, four teams that didn’t reach the semifinals in 2019 managed to get to Kellogg Arena for the 2020 playoffs.
Here’s a look at what those four teams bring to the table in 2021 and the big questions facing their chances at a return appearance.
Battle Creek St. Philip
The Fighting Tigers got back to the top of the mountain in the 2020 season, securing their first title since 2014. That makes 21 all-time for the proud program. What makes this title all the more impressive is that St. Philip was able to do it with just one senior on the roster, senior Harleen Deol. Replacing Deol in the middle will be tough, but St. Philip will still take the floor with the top player in Division 4 this year. That is outside Brooke Dzwik Brooke Dzwik 5'10" | OH Battle Creek St. Phil | 2022 State MI . She approached 600 kills last season and just plays on a different level than her competitors. Her abilities bring the best out of her teammates, which will make BCSP once again one of the title favorites. Rachel Myers returns at setter as well, continuing to have a great connection with Dzwik and her other hitters. Alexis Snyder and Maddie Hoelscher will be returning hitters as well to give St. Philip plenty of options. Defensively, Baily Fancher is one of the top liberos in the state, and she has Kate Doyle alongside her as a returning defender with a lot of playing time in 2020. When you mix in a new class, there is a lot of potential for this St. Philip team. The question for the Tigers will be, how will they handle being the team with the target on their back once again. Being relatively young last year allowed St. Philip to remain somewhat under the radar on their path back to a title. This year, everyone will be focusing on the Tigers.
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
Oakland Christian was the little engine that could, taking St. Philip to five sets after being dominated in the first two sets of last year’s final. The Lancers had a three-year plan to get to a state title and nearly saw that through. Now, Oakland Christian has to see if it can maintain that high level of play after losing some key seniors. Katie Hopkins was a four-year starter at setter and a captain throughout her prep career. Her tenacity will be hard to replace. Kaylee Page was the team’s kill leader on the outside, while Hailee Ide was a veteran defender. The 2021 Lancers will likely be defensive led, as Olivia Colletti was a standout libero last season and is back for her senior year to be a veteran voice on the floor. Offensively, finding a new setter will be a big challenge, but that new setter will have returning hitters, middle Anna Frazee and outside Micah Tison to work with. The question for the Lancers this season will be can it replace that crucial leadership it is losing. Oakland Christian will likely be outsized by its opponents once again, so team chemistry and execution will be vital to its success.
Carney-Nadeau
The Wolves made their second trip to Kellogg Arena in three season last winter. They gave Oakland Christian a hard-fought, four-set battle in the semifinals before bowing out. The issue now for Carney-Nadeau is that they graduated seven seniors from that roster. Taylor Kedsch and Liana Blahnik were a great 1-2 punch on the outside and in the middle, set up by Haley Ernest. All three have graduated, leaving the Wolves with a lot of openings on offense. Malorie Baumler is a returning hitter that got a steady amount of swings, but Carney-Nadeau will be turning to a lot of inexperience to lead the offense. Defensively, libero Mackenzie Walcher does return for the Wolves, giving them a veteran presence on the court. Defense will definitely have to carry Nadeau early in the year. Mary Sivula is another player that could help fill in on defense and on offense that has some varsity experience. It’s pretty clear that the big question for Nadeau is, can they rebuild quickly enough to still contend in the D4 postseason this year?
Mesick
The Bulldogs made their first semifinal appearance last season, losing to the eventual champ St. Philip. The team had a good balance of senior leadership and rising young talent. Outside hitters Grace Quiggin and Trinity Harris both graduated, but Mesick will return its kill leader in middle hitter Kelsey Quiggin. She will be a junior and is joined by fellow middle Shannyn Spencer, who will be a senior. Spencer led the team in blocks in 2020. Also back is setter Lexy Abraham, who will guide the team as a senior. Her on-court leadership will be very important this year. Mesick will have to replace libero Kaylee O’Neill, which will be a challenge. The Bulldogs don’t return a primary defender from last year’s squad. The question for Mesick will be, can last year’s semifinal appearance motivate it to a big 2021, or will making the climb last year have been enough of an accomplishment for this year’s returning talent?