Division 1 Semifinals Breakdown & Predictions

<p>The Division 1 playoffs couldn’t have played out much better. The final four at Battle Creek are all ranked in our top 8 and all came into the 2018 season as legitimate championship contenders. With Novi having won the last three championships in Class A, we will see a new state champion crowned in the biggest division in Michigan and the battle for the title should be intense.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Semifinal 1: No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy vs. No. 3 Lake Orion</strong></p> <p>After years of disappointing finishes in the postseason, Lake Orion finally put the puzzle pieces together to make it to Kellogg Arena for the first time since 2011. The Dragons dispatched No. 13 Flushing in straight sets, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, in their quarterfinal victory. Lake Orion has a big crew of hitters, led by Miss Volleyball finalist <strong>Paige Briggs</strong>, who had 13 in Tuesday’s win. Junior <strong>Sydney Smith </strong>has developed throughout the year and turned into a great opposite for the Dragons. She posted 12 kills on Tuesday. Feeding the two, along with their various middles, is senior <strong>Wren Macaulay</strong>. Macaulay had 28 assists on Tuesday and over 1,500 for the season. She is a difference-maker for the Dragons.</p> <p>Mercy has been holding on to the top spot in the Division 1 rankings for some time and a 25-8, 25-17, 25-14 sweep of Sterling Heights Stevenson did nothing to change that. The Marlins are clicking on all cylinders right now and a glutenous amount of hitting options. Above them all is junior <strong>Jess Mruzik</strong>, who put up 16 kills in Tuesday’s win and is certain to be a top Miss Volleyball candidate next season. <strong>Charli Atiemo</strong>, a sophomore middle, has been getting better through the year and another sophomore in setter <strong>Julia Bishop</strong>, makes the whole machine go. Bishop has it all as a setter and plays with a poise well beyond her age.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Semifinal 2: No. 8 Northville vs. No. 6 Rockford</strong></p> <p>After three years of watching their league rival claim all the gold, Northville was itching for a chance to show how good of a program it could be. That chance came this year. The Mustangs have been near the top of the rankings all season and unseated Novi in district play. In the quarterfinals, Northville handled Livonia Churchill, 25-21, 25-16, 25-15. The strength in Northville is in its defense, which is anchored by senior libero <strong>Hannah Grant</strong>. Grant had 28 digs in Tuesday’s win her play will be crucial this weekend, facing so many powerful hitters in the D1 field. Northville isn’t lacking in hitting of its own as junior <strong>Clare McNamara </strong>has really proven to be a handful for opponents. She can play middle and outside and led Northville with 10 kills and six blocks on Tuesday. The Mustangs have six players on their roster with over 100 kills on the year, as they spread the ball out well. <strong>Emma Stiles </strong>and <strong>Gabriella Fisette </strong>handle the setting duties for Northville.</p> <p>Rockford got a taste of Battle Creek in 2016 when it lost to Novi in four sets in the Class A championship. The Rams are looking to get the job done this weekend and it starts with Friday against Northville. Rockford defeated No. 16 Gull Lake on Tuesday in straight sets, 25-14, 25-18, 25-15. Senior <strong>Lindsay Taylor </strong>continued her impressive postseason by putting up 22 kills in the win and hit .588 in the process. She didn’t have to do it all alone, as senior <strong>Emmy Webb </strong>put up 13 kills on Tuesday and hit .571. Senior <strong>Emilee Karelse </strong>set the ball in perfect locations for both. Junior <strong>Madelyn Long </strong>led the defensive effort with 15 digs.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>What a great field. This should be some great volleyball. In the first semifinal, Mercy has won three of four meetings with Lake Orion, but both seem to be peaking. The Dragons have more confident hitters to go with Briggs while the Marlins have their strong arsenal that hasn’t taken a step backwards. Defense and serving will probably decide the winner there. Rockford is led by its seniors, some of which know the feeling of playing for a state championship. Northville has finally broken through and looks driven to keep the state championship in KLAA territory. When it comes down to it, I believe Mercy and Rockford have the more impactful players that can change the game in their team’s favor when momentum is slipping. I see the Marlins edging the Dragons and the Rams edging the Mustangs.</p> <p><strong>State Championship: Mercy vs. Rockford</strong></p>