Division 1 semifinals breakdown & predictions
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It’s going to be a very exciting display on Thursday night at Kellogg Arena when the Division 1 semifinals take place. The four remaining are ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 12 in our final D1 regular…
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Continue ReadingIt’s going to be a very exciting display on Thursday night at Kellogg Arena when the Division 1 semifinals take place.
The four remaining are ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 12 in our final D1 regular season rankings. However, the No. 12 (Dakota) was right near the top for a good chunk of the season.
A lot of D1 college talent will be battling it out for the state championship, so be sure to get yourself to Battle Creek.
No. 1 Marian vs. No. 2 Hudsonville, 4:30 p.m.
They don’t get much bigger than this, as No. 1 vs. No. 2 opens up the D1 semifinals slate on Thursday night. The defending champs Marian face Hudsonville, a team that has not crossed their path this season. Marian has only dropped four sets the entire season, as it returned its entire roster from the 2020 championship squad. One of those sets was to Rockford, who Hudsonville just bested in the quarterfinal, so the Eagles won’t be lacking in confidence to be able to get the job done on Saturday. Marian’s greatest strength is certainly is offensive and the speed at which it operates. Setter Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI has the team hitting .373 collectively with five different players at 175 kills or more. Miss Volleyball winner Ava Brizard Ava Brizard 6'0" | OH Marian | 2022 State #16 Nation MI leads the way with over 530 kills while hitting .440 on the year. Ella Schomer Ella Schomer 6'0" | RS Marian | 2023 State #142 Nation MI and Sophia Treder Sophia Treder 6'0" | OH Marian | 2022 State MI are great compliments on the outside, while Sarafa’s connections with middles Sarah Sylvester Sarah Sylvester 6'3" | MB Marian | 2022 State #126 Nation MI and Janiah Jones Janiah Jones 6'1" | MB Marian | 2022 State MI are nearly unstoppable. Hudsonville feels it can match Marian in the arms department, and that may very well be true. Eva Joldersma is an explosive outside with over 400 kills, while Emmalee Murphy Emmalee Murphy 6'0" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI , Isabelle Swiercz and Olivia Howlett Olivia Howlett 5'10" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI are big-time finishers as well. In the middle, the Eagles have Leah Rogers Leah Rogers 6'2" | MB Hudsonville | 2022 State MI , a fierce blocker that is also approaching 200 kills on her own. Defense will obviously be a big key in this one. Carlina Bender Carlina Bender 5'5" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2022 State MI is a senior stud in the back row for Hudsonville, while junior Lauren Heming Lauren Heming 5'6" | DS/L Marian | 2023 State MI earned her stripes in last year’s championship run for Marian. In picking this, its hard to go against the champs. Marian knows this scene and the pressure that comes with it. This is new territory for this Hudsonville team and nerves can play a big role. Ultimately, the Mustangs have been able to make all their opponents play at their speed. Prediction: Marian over Hudsonville in 4
No. 4 Skyline vs. No. 12 Dakota
Thursday’s nightcap is an interesting matchup. Skyline has been near the top of the state all season, while Dakota has been up-and-down, but a top contender when at its best. Skyline isn’t going to hide what it’s going to do. The Eagles are going to get the ball to Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI , their elite of the elite talent on the outside. She’s finishing at .440 on the season with over 600 kills despite missing time playing internationally. She has some assistance offensive from towering middle Cari Bohm Cari Bohm 6'4" | MB Ann Arbor Skyline | 2022 State #39 Nation MI and sophomore combo option Kate Maley. Senior setter Lauren Lee Lauren Lee 5'9" | S Skyline | 2022 State MI has the team hitting over .310, and they will need those secondary arms to alleviate the pressure on Murray this weekend. Dakota has a much more balanced attack, but all are quite effective. Junior setter Erin Madigan Erin Madigan 6'2" | S Dakota | 2023 State MI stands 6’2” and is quite a finisher in her own eight with a .697 hitting percentage on the season with 106 kills. She has a lot of size to feed as well with 6’1” middle Olivia Gardner Olivia Gardner 6'2" | MB Dakota | 2023 State MI , 5’11” outside Emma Thamarus Emma Thamarus 5'11" | OH Dakota | 2023 State MI , 6’0” outside Bella Austin Bella Austin 6'0" | OH Dakota | 2023 State MI and 6’1” middle Johanna Tillman Johanna Tillman 6'2" | MB Dakota | 2024 State MI . The size of Dakota may be as important for blocking as anything, as the Cougars will look to slow down Murray and Bohm’s power shots to give libero Gabby Jones the best chance to keep the team in-system. Skyline libero Jordan Hall will also be a pivotal piece to the matchup, as she’s going to be facing shots from all angles and options. This matchup for me will be a “show-me” game for Dakota. I know the Cougars have the talent, but I need to see them put it all together with the bright lights on against a proven winner like Murray. Skyline isn’t as deep, but they have a will to win that Murray exemplifies. Prediction: Skyline over Dakota in 4