D1 semifinal recap: Marian, Skyline sweep their way to final

<p>At Kellogg Arena, you usually anticipate matches going four or five sets.</p> <p>It’s the best of the best squaring off for the most part.</p> <p>In Thursday’s Division 1 semifinals, both Marian and Skyline felt it was better to avoid such suspense.</p> <p>The Mustangs and Eagles swept their respective opponents setting up high-powered Division 1 final on Saturday at noon from Kellogg Arena.</p> <p>Here’s how both advanced.</p> <h4><strong>Marian over Hudsonville 25-13, 25-16, 25-19</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_166074" align="alignright" width="232"]<img class="wp-image-166074 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Marian-vs-Hudsonville-VB-26-232x300.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24883" first="Sophia" last="Treder"][/caption] <p>In a first-time meeting this season, Hudsonville just didn’t have an answer for Marian’s speed and offensive depth.</p> <p>The Mustangs didn’t have to heavily rely on Miss Volleyball winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"]</strong>, as fellow outsides <strong>Sophie Treder </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66330" first="Ella" last="Schomer"] </strong>combined for 21 kills to keep Hudsonville guessing.</p> <p>Brizard still did her thing, putting down 11 kills, including six in the third set, which was the most competitive of the match.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66328" first="Ava" last="Sarafa"] </strong>spread the ball out and had 33 assists while Marian hit .327 as a team in the win. She also had eight digs, while Brizard had 14 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66305" first="Lauren" last="Heming"] </strong>had eight.</p> <p>Marian returned its entire lineup from the squad that won the 2020 state championship and the Mustangs look even stronger this time around in Battle Creek.</p> <p>“The weight of having won a state title and not graduate anyone, it’s almost like you have no excuse (to not win again),” Marian coach Mayssa Cook said. “I know we have another match on Saturday, but I am super impressed with the team and the seniors for how they managed the pressure of having to come back her and play.”</p> <p>Hudsonville was led in the match by <strong>Isabelle Swiercz</strong>, who had 10 kills and hit .471 for the Eagles. <strong>Eva Joldersma </strong>added seven kills and six digs, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24839" first="Carlina" last="Bender"] </strong>had 17 digs and left it all on the floor.</p> <h4><strong>Skyline over Dakota 25-22, 29-27, 25-17</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_166076" align="alignright" width="192"]<img class="wp-image-166076 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Skyline-2-Harper-Murray-3-192x300.jpg" alt="" width="192" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"][/caption] <p>While Skyline only needed three sets to advance to the final, the Eagles were definitely challenged by the Cougars.</p> <p>Dakota fought off two set points in the first and four in the second before dropping each one to the Eagles.</p> <p>Unlike recent outings, where Skyline had laid off the gas up early and allowed their opponent back in the match, the Eagles put the pedal down in the third.</p> <p>“From our previous matches, we learned that we need to start hard and fast and not let the other team come back,” Skyline coach Chris Cristian said. “That was our focus (Thursday). We were able to establish the lead and not let (Dakota) push back too hard. I like that we didn’t let up, especially up two sets.”</p> <p>It was no surprise that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"] </strong>led Skyline in the win. She put down 23 kills and hit .413 for the match while adding 11 digs defensively.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24843" first="Cari" last="Bohm"] </strong>was a big force in the middle with eight kills and two blocks while hitting an impressive .636.</p> <p>Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60856" first="Lauren" last="Lee"] </strong>also showed a lot of poise and control throughout the match with 40 assists, nine digs and five aces.</p> <p>Dakota spread the ball out with their many weapons, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108755" first="Bella" last="Austin"] </strong>led the team with 10 kills while hitting .526. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66338" first="Emma" last="Thamarus"] </strong>added six kills and two blocks while <strong>Zoey Mertz </strong>had 10 digs and three aces. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110328" first="Johanna" last="Tillman"] </strong>was a presence at the net defensive with five blocks, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108718" first="Erin" last="Madigan"] </strong>had 23 assists, seven digs and three kills.</p>