2022 D1 Semifinal Predictions
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It’s a stacked foursome as part of the Division 1 state semifinals on Thursday. 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…
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Continue ReadingIt’s a stacked foursome as part of the Division 1 state semifinals on Thursday.
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.
What it should make for is some great action.
Here’s a closer look at both D1 matchups on Thursday evening
No. 1 Marian vs. No. 3 Forest Hills Northern – 4:30 p.m.
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. Ava Sarafa Ava Sarafa 6'0" | S Marian | 2023 State #14 Nation MI surpassed 5,000 career assists in the victory and got Isabelle Busignani Isabelle Busignani 6'1" | OH Marian | 2025 State #73 Nation MI locked in during key stretches. The sophomore finished with 26 kills to lead the Mustangs in the win. Ella Schomer Ella Schomer 6'0" | RS Marian | 2023 State #142 Nation MI and Molly Banta Molly Banta 6'0" | OH Marian | 2023 State MI also came through with some timely kills throughout the night. As the offense struggled, Lauren Heming Lauren Heming 5'6" | DS/L Marian | 2023 State MI 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. Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI 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. Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI and Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI will also take up Marian’s attention, as will FHN setter Lauren Hallas Lauren Hallas 5'9" | S Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State MI . 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.
Prediction: Marian over FH Northern in 4
No. 2 Northville vs. No. 13 Saline – 6:30 p.m.
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 Abigail Reck Abigail Reck 6'2" | MB Northville | 2023 State #74 Nation MI is the clear offensive leader of Northville, the Mustangs have a lot of offensive depth. Tuesday night Lauren MacKellar Lauren MacKellar 6'0" | RS Northville | 2023 State MI raised her game. Northville also has Ava Thomas Ava Thomas 5'10" | OH Northville | 2024 MI , Avry Nelson Avry Nelson 6'3" | MB Northville | 2024 State MI , Mallory Reck Mallory Reck 5'10" | RS Northville | 2025 State MI and Molly Reck Molly Reck 5'10" | OH Northville | 2025 State MI to turn to. Ella Craggs Ella Craggs 5'9" | S Northville | 2025 State #127 Nation MI is the standout sophomore setter directing traffic, while the Northville defense is among the best in the state led by libero Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI . 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. Anna Hesse Anna Hesse 5'11" | OH Saline | 2023 State MI had success against Northville in the previous meeting, hitting .333 with 12 kills. Marie Laurio Marie Laurio 5'10" | OH Saline | 2025 State #147 Nation MI has really exploded offensively since and should be eager to show how far along she has come. Catherine Flaharty Catherine Flaharty 6'2" | OH Saline | 2024 State MI is also a great offensive compliment with a lot of length at the net. Senior Laney Burns Laney Burns 5'10" | S Saline | 2023 State MI is a great on-court leader at setter and knows she will have to keep the offensive mixed up and playing fast. Olivia Behen Olivia Behen 5'5" | DS/L Saline | 2024 State MI 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.
Prediction: Northville over Saline in 4