MHSAA Division 2 Regional Breakdown & Predictions
The Division 2 postseason tournament had plenty of intrigue heading into the start of districts last week and things get even more interesting with regional play starting on Tuesday. This week features top-10 matchups, Cinderella stories and more. Here’s a…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 2 postseason tournament had plenty of intrigue heading into the start of districts last week and things get even more interesting with regional play starting on Tuesday. This week features top-10 matchups, Cinderella stories and more. Here’s a breakdown of all eight Division 2 regionals and our predictions for the teams I think will reach the quarterfinals.
RELATED: Our Division 1 Regional Predictions
RELATED: Our Division 3 Regional Predictions
RELATED: Our Division 4 Regional Predictions
Regional 9 at Gaylord
Semifinal Matchups: Kingsford vs. Kingsley; Cadillac vs. Gladwin
Breakdown: No. 22 Kingsley hasn’t dropped a set and gets to face Kingsford for the King’s crown on Tuesday. Kingsford dropped a set to Gladstone in the district semifinal but then swept Houghton for the title. No. 17 Cadillac won all nine sets it played last week, ending with a sweep of Ludington in the district final. It faces Gladwin, which grinded out wins over Clare and Ogemaw Heights last week, dropping three sets over the two matches. Cadillac looks like the team to beat on paper, but things won’t be as easy for Vikings this week.
Finals Prediction: Cadillac over Kingsley
Regional 10 at Corunna
Semifinal Matchups: Birch Run vs. Central Montcalm; Freeland vs. Corunna
Breakdown: No. 11 Corunna started its postseason with a four-set win over No. 19 Mt. Morris and then bested Flint Powers Catholic and Clio in sweeps. The Cavaliers now head home to face Freeland, which won three matches last week at Essexville Garber, including a finals win over the host in four sets. Central Montcalm defeated Tri-County and Shepherd to reach this regional, where it will take on Birch Run. The Panthers disposed of Caro and Frankenmuth at home, going to four sets with Frankenmuth in the final. Things seem to be sizing up for well for Corunna. The Cavs have the home court and the most impressive wins this year.
Finals Prediction: Corunna over Central Montcalm
Regional 11 at Grand Rapid Christian
Semifinal Matchups: Grand Rapids West Catholic vs. Spring Lake; Coopersville vs. Grand Rapids Christian
Breakdown: Three of the top-10 teams in our final D2 rankings are in this regional, including a big semifinal between No. 1 Christian and No. 3 Coopersville. The Eagles have been tested themselves against the best in the state all year and that difficult schedule should have them ready for this week. No. 10 Spring Lake gets West Catholic. West Catholic escaped a difficult district, but Spring Lake’s was even tougher. The Lakers beat two ranked teams and should reach the regional final. But, Christian looks to be too tough for them to upset.
Finals Prediction: Grand Rapids Christian over Spring Lake
Regional 12 at Vicksburg
Semifinal Matchups: Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Hamilton; Plainwell vs. Edwardsburg
Breakdown: No. 8 Hamilton was given a scare by No. 18 Holland Christian in the district final, but survived in five sets. It faces a Lakeshore team that won all nine sets it played last week, but didn’t face the same level of competition. No. 7 Edwardsburg also went 9-for-9 last week at home, easily topping No. 14 Vicksburg and HM Niles. Plainwell held off Wayland Union in four sets to advance to the regional, but the Wildcats won’t have an answer for Edwardsburg on Tuesday. The Eddies were dialed in last week and I think they are playing the best volleyball in this region.
Finals Prediction: Edwardsburg over Hamilton
Regional 13 at Battle Creek Harper Creek
Semifinal Matchups: Parma Western vs. Lakewood; Marshall vs. Fowlerville
Breakdown: Another region loaded with ranked teams. No. 16 Parma Western draws No. 6 Lakewood in the first regional semifinal. Lakewood didn’t have much competition in its district, but the Vikings made it look easy and have plenty of big-match experience over the years. Parma Western went five sets with No. 25 Jackson Northwest in its district final and may be over-matched by Lakewood. No. 15 Marshall had a five-set battle with Harper Creek in the district semifinal, but then ran over Eaton Rapids in the district final. The Redhawks draw upset-minded Fowlerville, which went 6-for-6 in sets last week against Perry and Williamston.
Finals Prediction: Lakewood over Marshall
Regional 14 at Milan
Semifinal Matchups: Dearborn Divine Child vs. Ida; Carleton Airport vs. Wixom St. Catherine
Breakdown: The fifth-ranked Stars are one of the smallest programs in D2, but they have been playing big all year. They weren’t challenged by Harrison or Father Gabriel Richard last week. Airport hopes to be more of a challenge, but the Jets didn’t face anyone like SCA when they went 9-for-9 in sets against Summit Academy, Monroe Jefferson and Grosse Ile. Divine Child won three sweeps last week but will need their best against No. 20 Ida. The Bolts made short work of Tecumseh and Milan last week, but Divine Child isn’t going to go down so easy. In the end, SCA is the team to beat. I think Divine Child will push Ida to five, but the Bolts reach the final.
Finals Prediction: Wixom St. Catherine over Ida
Regional 15 at Harper Woods
Semifinal Matchups: Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy vs. Detroit Communication Media Arts; Ferndale vs. St. Clair Shores South Lake
Breakdown: This regional is anyone’s guess as all four teams are hoping to make a Cinderella run to a regional championship. South Lake and Ferndale each had the most resistance to their district championship, both going five sets in their championship match. Cesar Chavez cruised to a perfect 6-for-6 set week while Communication dropped a set to Cornerstone in their district final. Cesar Chavez should be playing with the most confidence. It has picked up a number wins, including one over South Lake.
Finals Prediction: Cesar Chavez over South Lake
Regional 16 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Semifinal Matchups: Marysville vs. Notre Dame Prep; Detroit Country Day vs. North Branch
Breakdown: This regional is an exact duplicate of last year’s Class B regional at North Branch. The Irish and Broncos each won their semifinal before meeting in the regional final and ND got the sweep. Marysville looked great last week, but the second-ranked Irish are stacked at the net and showing a lot of improvement with their deep freshmen talent. Country Day is a team built for the future despite winning a second consecutive district. The Yellowjackets won’t quite have enough to stop No. 4 North Branch. The Broncos have overcome early injuries and will be game for their rivalry match with ND Prep, but the Irish have too many weapons for the Broncos.
Finals Prediction: Notre Dame Prep over North Branch