Division 1 semifinals breakdown & predictions

<p>It’s going to be a very exciting display on Thursday night at Kellogg Arena when the Division 1 semifinals take place.</p> <p>The four remaining are ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 12 in our final D1 regular season rankings. However, the No. 12 (Dakota) was right near the top for a good chunk of the season.</p> <p>A lot of D1 college talent will be battling it out for the state championship, so be sure to get yourself to Battle Creek.</p> <h4><strong>No. 1 Marian vs. No. 2 Hudsonville, 4:30 p.m.</strong></h4> <p>They don’t get much bigger than this, as No. 1 vs. No. 2 opens up the D1 semifinals slate on Thursday night. The defending champs Marian face Hudsonville, a team that has not crossed their path this season. Marian has only dropped four sets the entire season, as it returned its entire roster from the 2020 championship squad. One of those sets was to Rockford, who Hudsonville just bested in the quarterfinal, so the Eagles won’t be lacking in confidence to be able to get the job done on Saturday. Marian’s greatest strength is certainly is offensive and the speed at which it operates. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66328" first="Ava" last="Sarafa"] </strong>has the team hitting .373 collectively with five different players at 175 kills or more. Miss Volleyball winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24846" first="Ava" last="Brizard"] </strong>leads the way with over 530 kills while hitting .440 on the year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66330" first="Ella" last="Schomer"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24883" first="Sophia" last="Treder"]</strong> are great compliments on the outside, while Sarafa’s connections with middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24877" first="Sarah" last="Sylvester"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137570" first="Janiah" last="Jones"] </strong>are nearly unstoppable. Hudsonville feels it can match Marian in the arms department, and that may very well be true. <strong>Eva Joldersma </strong>is an explosive outside with over 400 kills, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24868" first="Emmalee" last="Murphy"], Isabelle Swiercz </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60841" first="Olivia" last="Howlett"] </strong>are big-time finishers as well. In the middle, the Eagles have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91609" first="Leah" last="Rogers"]</strong>, a fierce blocker that is also approaching 200 kills on her own. Defense will obviously be a big key in this one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24839" first="Carlina" last="Bender"] </strong>is a senior stud in the back row for Hudsonville, while junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66305" first="Lauren" last="Heming"] </strong>earned her stripes in last year’s championship run for Marian. In picking this, its hard to go against the champs. Marian knows this scene and the pressure that comes with it. This is new territory for this Hudsonville team and nerves can play a big role. Ultimately, the Mustangs have been able to make all their opponents play at their speed. <strong>Prediction: </strong>Marian over Hudsonville in 4</p> <h4><strong>No. 4 Skyline vs. No. 12 Dakota</strong></h4> <p>Thursday’s nightcap is an interesting matchup. Skyline has been near the top of the state all season, while Dakota has been up-and-down, but a top contender when at its best. Skyline isn’t going to hide what it’s going to do. The Eagles are going to get the ball to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"]</strong>, their elite of the elite talent on the outside. She’s finishing at .440 on the season with over 600 kills despite missing time playing internationally. She has some assistance offensive from towering middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24843" first="Cari" last="Bohm"]</strong> and sophomore combo option <strong>Kate Maley</strong>. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60856" first="Lauren" last="Lee"] </strong>has the team hitting over .310, and they will need those secondary arms to alleviate the pressure on Murray this weekend. Dakota has a much more balanced attack, but all are quite effective. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108718" first="Erin" last="Madigan"] </strong>stands 6’2” and is quite a finisher in her own eight with a .697 hitting percentage on the season with 106 kills. She has a lot of size to feed as well with 6’1” middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66302" first="Olivia" last="Gardner"]</strong>, 5’11” outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66338" first="Emma" last="Thamarus"]</strong>, 6’0” outside [player_tooltip player_id="108755" first="Bella" last="Austin"] and 6’1” middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110328" first="Johanna" last="Tillman"]</strong>. The size of Dakota may be as important for blocking as anything, as the Cougars will look to slow down Murray and Bohm’s power shots to give libero <strong>Gabby Jones </strong>the best chance to keep the team in-system. Skyline libero <strong>Jordan Hall</strong> will also be a pivotal piece to the matchup, as she’s going to be facing shots from all angles and options. This matchup for me will be a “show-me” game for Dakota. I know the Cougars have the talent, but I need to see them put it all together with the bright lights on against a proven winner like Murray. Skyline isn’t as deep, but they have a will to win that Murray exemplifies. <strong>Prediction: </strong>Skyline over Dakota in 4</p>