Novi Tournament Preview & Predictions

This weekends elite tournament carousal takes us to the reigning D1 or Class A state champs, Novi.  Although Novi has lost 3 of the top 20 players in our 2018 rankings, they seem to continue to compete at a high level.  New head coach, Kaci Moran has done an incredible job with the team as they are a little over a month out from defending their crown.  Marian, who lost to Novi in the finals last year, also looks to rebuild with youth.  Like Moran, new head coach Mayssa Cook has taken a team that has had success, although  losing talent, and has kept them in consideration as a top team in the state.  Dewitt brings in Miss Volleyball contender, Desiree Becker and a hungry group of athletes.  Other interesting teams in the field are Mason, Harper Creek, and a few other long shots to win.

 

Tournament Favorites:

 

Marian (#9 in D1) - Marian has been solid early in the season.  Their only blemishes come at the hands of Catholic rivals Mercy (2x) and Notre Dame Prep (1-1).  Marian looks to share the favorite in this tournament with host Novi.  Look for Marian to continue to improve as the freshman continue to grow on this team.

 

Novi (#15 in D1) - Novi has arguably been on the hottest streak over the past week winning the Bedford tournament and beating Brighton on Tuesday.  Novi is looking to take that momentum into this weekend.  

 

Dewitt (#13 in D1) - Dewitt is another team that can hang with anyone in the state if playing well.  They are middle heavy and need their ball control to hold up in order to get their middles the ball consistently.  If they can, they are the heavy favorites of the field.

 

Other teams to watch - Haslett, Harper Creek, and Walled Lake Central

 

Players to Watch in the tournament - Rachel Jennings (Novi), Jaeda Porter (Novi), Audrey Brown (Seaholm), Sage Kissman (Mason), Jordan Valley (Haslett), Ava Brizard (Marian), Christine Audette (Marian), Kendall Murray (Skyline), Desiree Becker (Dewitt)

 

Predictions

 

Pool A (Novi, Seaholm, Mason, and Haslett) - TOUGH POOL!  Mason and Novi will battle for the top seed.  Mason takes first in the pool and edges Novi.  Haslett takes 3rd with Seaholm 4th.

 

Pool B (Marian, Skyline, Harper Creek, and Powers Catholic) - Marian rolls thru the pool.  Skyline battles Powers for rights to 2nd.  Marian and Skyline move on.

 

Pool C (Dewitt, Walled Lake Central, TC Central, and Riverview Gabriel Richard) - Dewitt takes the top seed in the pool.  TC Central upsets WL Central for 2nd in the pool.  

 

Pool D (Saline, Lakeland, GP North, and AA Huron) - Look for Lakeland to take the pool with a 2-1 record.  Saline grabs second in the pool.

 

 

Bracket

 

Quarters

 

Mason vs. Skyline - Mason continues to play well and grabs a 3 set win over Skyline to move on to the semi's

 

Lakeland vs. TC Central - Lakeland does not have an answer for Maggie McCrary of TC.  TC wins in 2.

 

Marian vs. Novi - Novi battles Marian to 14's in the 3rd set but Marian pulls out a 16-14 win in a tough first round matchup.

 

Dewitt vs. Saline - Saline pushes Dewitt to 3 but can't find a way to stop Becker.  Dewitt in 3.

 

 

Semi's 

 

Mason vs. TC Central - Mason and Central battle it out in 3.  Mason impresses again with a 3 set win over TC.

 

Marian vs. Dewitt - Marian's serving and ball control are just too tough for Dewitt.  Look for the Maddie Dowd and Christine Audette combo to carry Marian in this match.  Marian in 2.

 

 

Finals

 

Marian vs. Mason - Mason's Cinderella story comes to an end in the final.  Marian is just too much for Mason in the end.  Marian in 2 in the final.