Postseason Preview: Toughest Division 1 Districts
The 2021 MHSAA postseason is set to begin in a little over a week. The regular season has flown by and now we are on the verge of three weeks of emotional and highly-charged volleyball. In Division 1, there are…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 MHSAA postseason is set to begin in a little over a week.
The regular season has flown by and now we are on the verge of three weeks of emotional and highly-charged volleyball.
In Division 1, there are five districts that really stand out as the toughest in the division. Here’s a look at what makes those five districts more challenging than the others.
District 1 at Traverse City Central
The north always has a tough district to deal with. Host TC Central is HM in our D1 rankings, but will have to contend with No. 17 Traverse City West and No. 19 Marquette in their district. Those two will actually meet up in an opener on Nov. 1. Petoskey, Gaylord and Alpena will look to play spoiler. Travel could play an issue in this district, but it should provide some exciting matches.
District 7 at Marian
The defending D1 champs will host a very challenging district. Included this year is the Mustangs’ biggest rival, No. 8 Mercy. Usually these two meet up in regional play, but would potentially square off in the district final. No. 25 Bloomfield Hills draws Mercy first and is capable of pulling off the upset. Birmingham Seaholm awaits that winner and is also a worthy opponent. Marian draws Farmington first in the semifinals before seeing what awaits in the final.
District 11 at Forest Hills Central
Arguably the toughest of all the districts in Division 1, this features two top-10 teams and the 2019, 2020 D1 runner-up. Forest Hills Central is ranked No. 7 and will host, but opens with Ottawa Hills on Nov. 1. East Grand Rapids awaits that winner. In the other semifinal, No. 6 Forest Hills Northern clashes with No. 23 Lowell. There’s a lot of strong hitting talent in this district and the winner will have earned it at the end of the week.
District 14 at Byron Center
This is a district that should be very competitive and up for grabs. No. 21 Byron Center has a spot in the semifinals, but draws HM Gull Lake. No. 22 Caledonia faces off with Middleville Thornapple Kellogg in the opener, while Kalamazoo Central awaits the winner. A lot of the teams in this district have had flashes of being a strong team, but also have their lulls. Whichever team can find consistency is likely to emerge the winner.
District 15 at St. Joseph
It’s always a battle for No. 20 Portage Northern and HM Portage Central to have to compete with each other in districts. Mix in No. 15 Mattawan, and this district is going to be very challenging. Central will face Stevensville Lakeshore in the lone opener, while Northern gets the winner. Mattawan faces off with host St. Joseph in the other semifinal.