Division 4 quarterfinal game-changers

<p>Division 4 is completely up for grabs heading into the final week of the season.</p> <p>A new state champion is sure to be crowned and each of the remaining eight teams believe they can win three more matches.</p> <p>Which players will emerge as the game-changers for their team and guide them to Battle Creek?</p> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3pXLWrV"><em>Related: Division 1 quarterfinal game-changers</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/2JgnTDF"><em>Related: Division 2 quarterfinal game-changers</em></a></p> <p><em><a href="https://bit.ly/39kheTY">Related: Division 3 quarterfinal game-changers</a></em></p> <p><strong>Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: </strong>The Lancers have a very balanced offense with a top setter in <strong>Katie Hopkins</strong>. With the offense shorn up, Oakland Christian will need its defense to step up during finals week. <strong>Olivia Colletti</strong> is a junior libero that has really had a breakout season for Oakland Christian. She is the team leader in digs and aces this year. If Colletti can continue to pass and serve receive at a high level, Oakland Christian should be among the top contenders during finals week.</p> <p><strong>Battle Creek St. Philip: </strong>The Fighting Tigers have won 10 state championships since 2005 and are eager to get the program back to the top. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24854" first="Brooke" last="Dzwik"] </strong>is one of the top outside hitters in all of Division 4 and will certainly have her say in how D4 will play out. However, getting her a real compliment at the net will be important for the Fighting Tigers. <strong>Alexis Snyder </strong>could be that compliment. She had 10 kills during the regional final and will get her opportunity for key swings during the final week.</p> <p><strong>Carney-Nadeau: </strong>The Wolves are riding a solid 1-2 punch offensively of <strong>Taylor Kedsch </strong>and <strong>Liana Blahnik</strong>, so the key during finals week will be the play of libero <strong>Kenzie Walcher</strong>. In Division 4, teams that can stay in-system and get high-percentage swings tend to make deep runs. If Walcher can continue to put up a strong performance in the back row, Carney-Nadeau can make a return trip to Battle Creek.</p> <p><strong>Fowler: </strong>The Eagles have a real dominant player in outside hitter <strong>Sarah Veale</strong>. She has the ability to take over a game. However, a fellow senior in <strong>Jordan Myers</strong> is the one that cane be a game-changer. Myers is going to face some tough hitters, so she can really turn the tide in Fowler’s favor if she is able to pass the ball well alongside Veale in the back row. Myers also has an improved serve that came in handy in the regional final.</p> <p><strong>Lansing Christian: </strong>The Pilgrims have a dynamic talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50291" first="Ashley" last="Nordmann"]</strong>, who is able to play well above the net and hit with a lot of power. Her partner at the net, junior <strong>Anna Rottman </strong>could be the one that leads Lansing Christian to a championship. While Nordmann is sure to draw a lot of defensive attention, it opens the door for Rottman. She had an impressive 23 kills in the five-set regional final win over Camden-Frontier. If Rottman can continue to finish like that during finals week, Lansing Christian could be in store for a lot of celebrating.</p> <p><strong>Mesick: </strong>It’s been some time since Mesick took the court, as the Bulldogs got a bye in the regional final with Leland unable to play. Mesick picked up its first regional championship this season and is looking to add more history with a quarterfinal win and beyond. The Bulldogs have had a great season, but this is new territory for them, so they will need to get great all-around performances. <strong>Kelsey Quiggin </strong>is a player that can impact the game everywhere. She swings well, passes well, and can block at the net. Her ability to impact all phases of the game could help Mesick continue its historic run.</p> <p><strong>Rudyard: </strong>The Bulldogs were able to get to Battle Creek last fall and this year’s team has a lot of the same roster. Rudyard has a lot of balance to work with in the front and back row. It’s senior <strong>Chesney Molina</strong> who could be the key during finals week. The experience setter has been able to spread the ball out this season and also has a keen eye defensively. Her ability to make an important dig, and also setting a great ball for her hitters is what could set Rudyard apart from the rest.</p> <p><strong>Ubly: </strong>The Bearcats were a quarterfinalist in 2019 and are looking to get further in 2020. With solid passers in the back row and a pair of powerful arms up front, setter <strong>Samantha Souva </strong>will play a key role for Ubly. Souva needs to give top hitters <strong>Lindsey Guza </strong>and <strong>Allison Lautner</strong> the best chance to finish points with her sets. She also needs to find some consistency from her third or fourth options. The more balance Ubly can find, the more difficult the Bearcats will be to defend.</p>