Breakdown & Predictions for the MHSAA Division 1 quarterfinals

We are down to the Elite Eight in Division 1 volleyball and there are a few surprises among the field. Of our final D1 rankings, just four from the top 10 are still standing while two that were in our Honorable Mentions list have fought their way to the quarterfinals. Here’s a closer look at Tuesday’s matchups and my pick for the teams that will advance to Battle Creek.   <a href="http://bit.ly/2QEQxgV">RELATED: Our Division 2 Quarterfinal Predictions</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/2qGiXLZ">RELATED: Our Division 3 Quarterfinal Predictions</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/2QBlYsd">RELATED: Our Division 4 Quarterfinal Predictions</a>   No. 13 Flushing vs. No. 3 Lake Orion at Fenton High School We have been waiting years for Lake Orion to meet up to its preseason potential and the Dragons seem to have finally put it altogether this year. They swept both Troy and No. 9 Stoney Creek in their home regional and are clicking in all areas of play. Led by Miss Volleyball finalist Paige Briggs (Western Kentucky) on the outside and dynamic setter Wren Macaulay (New Hampshire), Lake Orion has the senior leadership to do something special this next week. The Dragons are also getting big contributions from their middles and have a solid compliment to Briggs on the outside in junior Sydney Smith. Flushing earned a hard-fought five-set win over No. 19 Mount Pleasant in the regional final on Thursday, on the home floor of the Oilers. The Flint Metro League champs have a big step up in competition on Tuesday in Lake Orion, a team they have struggled with previously this year. The Raiders are a relatively young team and are led by a promising freshman setter in Kendyl Andrews. Flushing should play like it has nothing to lose and has familiarity on the court of Fenton, a fellow FML member. Ultimately, I think the Dragons are just too deep and too motivated to not get to Battle Creek this year. Prediction: Lake Orion over Flushing in three No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy vs. HM Sterling Heights Stevenson at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore In a postseason that has seen a lot of top-ranked teams get upset, the Marlins aren’t showing any weakness. Mercy has yet to drop a set in the postseason and earned another sweep of No. 5 Marian in the regional final on Thursday at Marian. Jess Mruzik (Michigan) could be the best player in the state as a junior and sophomore setter Julia Bishop could be the best in the state at her position. As if that’s not enough, the Marlins have deep talent in the middle and the back row as well. Mercy has been the D1 favorite most of the year and nothing has changed that the past few weeks. Stevenson is an honorable mention team in our D1 rankings, but this senior-led team has definitely peaked at the right time. The Titans have a pair of solid senior hitters in Alexis Kopicki and Abbey Hermann (Western Michigan). Hermann is a top-level middle that will be a handful for the Marlins to deal with, but Mercy is just too strong to be upset by this Stevenson squad. Mercy already owns a pair of wins over the Titans this year and the Marlins seem to be getting better. Prediction: Mercy over Stevenson in three No. 8 Northville vs. HM Livonia Churchill at Ann Arbor Huron Many thought 2018 could be Northville’s year with three-time defending state champ Novi in a rebuilding mode this season. The Mustangs earned the KLAA title and have now made a run to the quarterfinals after beating No. 10 Novi in the district final and then dispatching No. 24 Bedford and HM Ann Arbor Skyline this week. Led by its steady defense from senior libero Hannah Grant (Michigan State), the Mustangs can handle almost any powerful hitting opponents. Junior hitter Clare McNamara has really had a breakout year and is set to be one of the top stars in the 2019 season. Churchill has been on the doorstep of our D1 rankings all season and now finds itself one win away from Battle Creek. The KLAA East champs held off Brownstown Woodhaven in four sets in Thursday’s regional final and now looks to avenge a previous loss to Northville, the KLAA West and KLAA Tournament champs. The Chargers are led by junior outside Sarah Dunn and they have a strong middle in senior Summer Clark, along with a veteran setter in senior Grace Vaeth. Churchill is a better team now than when they have met Northville in the past, but the Mustangs have the passing and serve receive to win the big matches this time of year. Prediction: Northville over Churchill in four No. 6 Rockford vs. No. 16 Richland Gull Lake at Caledonia The Rams got to the state final two years ago and the Rams are itching to get back this year. They had a difficult region to navigate, but beat No. 2 Hudsonville in five sets and then defeated No. 20 Grand Haven in three to earn the championship. Senior hitter Lindsay Taylor (Miami-Ohio) wasn’t a Miss Volleyball finalist, but many thought she should be. She seems to be playing with a chip on her shoulder this year, nearing 700 kills for the season. She had 33 in the win over Hudsonville. Senior middle Emmy Webb (Davenport) has been a handful as well, posting 408 kills this year to give the Rams a great 1-2 punch at the net. Taylor is also great in the back row with 352 digs while setter Emilee Karelse (Charleston Southern) is approaching 1,500 assists for the year. Rockford doesn’t seem to have a glaring weakness. Gull Lake had the two best combined wins in regional play, defeating both No. 11 DeWitt and No. 4 Mattawan in four sets each. Senior hitter Kenzy Corstange (Davenport) is doing it all for the Blue Devils, as she has 499 kills, 458 digs and 74 aces this year. Senior Lauren Esman compliments Corstange well on the right side and junior setter Lexie Beeke is doing a good job of mixing up the attacks for the Blue Devils. These two teams met early in the year with Rockford picking up a 2-1 victory over Gull Lake. The Blue Devils won’t be lacking in confidence for this match, but I feel Rockford is too well-rounded and will find a way to win this match. Prediction: Rockford over Gull Lake in five