2019 MHSAA Postseason: Division 1 regional predictions

<p>There won’t be a lack of great volleyball happening around the state this week, especially if you are looking for great Division 1 volleyball.</p> <p>All eight regional locations offer something special and getting through the week is going to be a real challenge for most. Here’s our picks for this week’s D1 regionals.</p> <p><strong>Regional 1 at Mount Pleasant</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Traverse City Central vs. Mount Pleasant; Flushing vs. Grand Blanc</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>I could see any of these four teams emerging with the title this week. Having the home court should help <strong>Mt. Pleasant </strong>a great deal. These should be three close matches and having that support at home can go a long way. I like the Oilers to get past Flushing in the final, but we could see 15 sets out of these three matchups this week.</p> <p><strong>Regional 2 at Stoney Creek</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Troy vs. West Bloomfield; Stoney Creek vs. Lake Orion</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Troy and West Bloomfield are both playing some good volleyball. The Colts look like a new team right now and I think they will be able to get past the Lakers in the first semifinal. <strong>Stoney Creek</strong> and Lake Orion could have another five-set thriller like they did earlier in the season. The Dragons are also peaking, but I have to go with the home team. I also like the Cougars to get past the Colts in the final.</p> <p><strong>Regional 3 at Holland West Ottawa</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Byron Center vs. Lowell; Hudsonville vs. Grand Haven</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>What a phenomenal region this is. All four teams were in our top-10 rankings to end the season and all four have the capability to compete with the best in the state. Hudsonville and Grand Haven have each grabbed wins over each other this year. My gut says Hudsonville gets this edition. Byron Center has a tough draw with Lowell in the other semifinal. The Red Arrows have the talent to win it all this year and I don’t see them slipping up this week. My pick is <strong>Lowell </strong>over Hudsonville in the final on Thursday.</p> <p><strong>Regional 4 at Battle Creek Lakeview</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Jackson Northwest vs. St. Johns; Gull Lake vs. Mattawan</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Much like Lowell, Mattawan has the looks of a team that could potentially win a state championship this year. The Wildcats draw a Gull Lake team that has overcome a lot of roster turnover and injuries in the last year to still win a district. Mattawan should be too much for Gull Lake and I think the Wildcats will be too much for Jackson Northwest or St. Johns. I will go with the Mounties over the Redwings to face <strong>Mattawan</strong> in the final.</p> <p><strong>Regional 5 at Howell</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Brighton vs. Novi; Temperance Bedford vs. Ann Arbor Skyline</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Another great regional featuring four teams that rank from 11-21 in our final D1 rankings. Novi has really put together a great second half of the season and the Wildcats have had Brighton’s number this year. Skyline owns a win over Bedford earlier this year as well and the Eagles turned things up this time of year in 2018. In a Novi vs. Skyline final, I have to side with <strong>Skyline</strong>. Kendall Murray will be the difference.</p> <p><strong>Regional 6 at Dearborn</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Allen Park vs. Brownstown Woodhaven; Dearborn vs. Livonia Churchill</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Woodhaven has had Allen Park’s number this season, but the Warriors still have to be in their game. Churchill has the edge over Dearborn in a battle of KLAA opponents. In a Woodhaven vs. Churchill final, I like <strong>Churchill </strong>to come through. The Chargers know they can beat the Warriors, but I would expect it to be a five-set battle.</p> <p><strong>Regional 7 at Farmington</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Detroit Renaissance vs. Detroit Cass Tech; Marian vs. Mercy</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>With all due respect to Renaissance and Cass Tech, the regional final appears to be on Tuesday between the CHSL rivals, Mercy and Marian, who are both in our top four. Mercy hasn’t dropped any of the 11 sets it has had against Marian this season. It’s hard to see the Mustangs pulling off the upset this week. Marian has a lot of promising young talent, but it just isn’t their year. I like <strong>Mercy </strong>to top Cass Tech in the final, as the Technicians have a great talent in Kimani Johnson.</p> <p><strong>Regional 8 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore</strong></p> <p><strong>Semifinal matchups: </strong>Fraser vs. Grosse Pointe South; Sterling Heights Stevenson vs. L’Anse Creuse North</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>These teams are familiar with each other. Fraser has been able to get the best of GP South in a pair of meetings while L’Anse Creuse North holds a victory over Stevenson. I look for history to repeat itself in the semifinals before <strong>L’Anse Creuse North </strong>takes the final over Fraser on Thursday. The Crusaders seemed to have hit another gear in the last three weeks.</p>