2022 D1 Semifinal Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a stacked foursome as part of the Division 1 state semifinals on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have the top three teams in our rankings, along with a program that has shown flashes of being a top contender at times during the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What it should make for is some great action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at both D1 matchups on Thursday evening</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>No. 1 Marian vs. No. 3 Forest Hills Northern – 4:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":247009,"width":227,"height":246,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/2-Ava-Sarafa-946x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-247009" width="227" height="246"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marian is the two-time defending state champion and the Mustangs got all they could handle from Clarkston in Tuesday's quarterfinal. Still, Marian found a way to win and keep its hopes alive for three straight titles. Marian struggled with its offense at stages on Tuesday, but it didn't last too long. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'] </strong>surpassed 5,000 career assists in the victory and got <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</strong> locked in during key stretches. The sophomore finished with 26 kills to lead the Mustangs in the win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152524' first='Molly' last='Banta']</strong> also came through with some timely kills throughout the night. As the offense struggled, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming'] </strong>played well at libero to keep Marian in long rallies. She will be key against this powerful Forest Hills Northern lineup. The Huskies have an impressive list of wins this postseason, including Tuesday's sweep of Rockford. Two of the sets were decided by just two points, which could be how close Thursday's semifinal will be. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell'] </strong>has been one of the to players in the state this season and she will be bringing a lot of firepower to the net against Marian. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']</strong> will also take up Marian's attention, as will FHN setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173606' first='Lauren' last='Hallas']</strong>. If the Huskies can stay in-system, it is clear that Marian can be beaten. However, the Mustangs can take a lot from Tuesday's match. It looked like it's season could come to an end, yet it rallied to find a way to advance. That experience should help it against a team making its first trip to Battle Creek since 2005.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Marian over FH Northern in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>No. 2 Northville vs. No. 13 Saline – 6:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":153912,"width":230,"height":306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/DSC_3383-770x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153912" width="230" height="306"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs of Northville put up a dominant showing against Berkley on Tuesday, continuing its impressive postseason run where it has dropped just one set. Berkley didn't get more than 14 points in any of the three sets. Though <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck'] </strong>is the clear offensive leader of Northville, the Mustangs have a lot of offensive depth. Tuesday night <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230898' first='Lauren' last='MacKellar']</strong> raised her game. Northville also has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110327' first='Ava' last='Thomas']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110315' first='Avry' last='Nelson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] </strong>to turn to. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs']</strong> is the standout sophomore setter directing traffic, while the Northville defense is among the best in the state led by libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice']</strong>. Saline did meet up with Northville earlier this year and took a set in a close three-set matchup. Two of the three sets were decided by two points. On Tuesday, Saline got out to a really fast start against Gull Lake and then held off a late rally to advance to Battle Creek. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140484' first='Anna' last='Hesse'] </strong>had success against Northville in the previous meeting, hitting .333 with 12 kills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] </strong>has really exploded offensively since and should be eager to show how far along she has come. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153662' first='Catherine' last='Flaharty'] </strong>is also a great offensive compliment with a lot of length at the net. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173605' first='Laney' last='Burns'] </strong>is a great on-court leader at setter and knows she will have to keep the offensive mixed up and playing fast. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen']</strong> will play a big role on Thursday as the libero. She's going to have to be at her best to keep Saline moving on to the final. Ultimately, Northville has looked like the top team in D1 over the last month of the season. The Mustangs are on a 20-game win streak and I don't think they will slow down on Tuesday. The talent is there to win it all, now they just need to execute on the big stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Northville over Saline in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->