3 Sweet Sixteen Matches to Watch in Division 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like we said before, the post-season stops for no one and we are already onto the next one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday night was a crazy night of volleyball in Division 1. Not only are ranked teams falling left and right, but we saw what might be the upset match of the year in the Woodhaven Regional. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday night, the Regional title is on the line. One step closer to Kellogg Arena. Let's check out some of the best matches to keep an eye on in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>MARIAN V DAKOTA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match almost everyone will have their eyes on in Division 1. Both these teams were semifinal performers a season ago with Marian taking the crown, now the two will go head-to-head for the regional title. Dakota returns a bulk of their team from a season ago while Marian is supporting an almost brand new cast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Marian side, you see the power of the two Miss Volleyball nominees in S [player_tooltip player_id='66328' first='Ava' last='Sarafa'] (Kentucky) and OPP [player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer'] (Wofford). Sarafa is touted as one of the top setters in the country and her counterpart is back to bouncing balls post-injury from Beast of the East. The two are joined by some critical pieces to note including OH [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] and L [player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming']. Busignani has become the face of the Marian offense, putting up over four kills per set and hitting well over .400 in the tournament thus far. Meanwhile, Heming is the heartbeat of the Marian backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Dakota side, you see the fab four that consists of Miss Volleyball S [player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'] (Arkansas State), MB [player_tooltip player_id='66302' first='Olivia' last='Gardner'] (Loyola-Chicago), and OH duo [player_tooltip player_id='66338' first='Emma' last='Thamarus'] (Mount Vernon) and [player_tooltip player_id='108755' first='Bella' last='Austin'] (Long Island). One of the largest teams you'll ever come across, Madigan and Gardner can be forces of nature at the net. Meanwhile. Thamarus and Austin keeps this ship smooth sailing with their ball control and out of system work. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could very easily see this match going the distance with such talent on each side. Marian has the ball control and experience to perform in the big moments. Conversely, Dakota is one of the toughest blocking teams you'll find. But when all is said and done, I think the edge that Marian has in the serve and pass battle will determine the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>FH NORTHERN V HUDSONVILLE</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I may have predicted against the Eagles of Hudsonville. But I had a feeling this 2021 semifinalist knew how to play ball. But from one Forest Hill school to the next, can Hudsonville conquer both Central AND North? This regional is a tough one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville put on an epic performance on Tuesday night to cruise past the Rangers of FH Central. With [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] and <strong>Maislin Joldersma</strong> combining for 26 kills in the sweep, the true MVP was L [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']. With a 20+ dig performance on the night, Bender didn't let a ball touch the floor. On the flip side, Forest Hills Northern steamrolled the Buccaneers with a very dominating performance on the pins with [player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell'] (UNCG) and [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] combining for 23 kills on the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the semifinal taught us anything, it is to not count out Bender and company at Hudsonville. Forest Hills Northern, however, is the heavy favorite in this one. Behind the arm of Miss Volleyball nominee Louisell, the ball control of Erickson and [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']'s block, this trio is hard to take down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>OKEMOS V SALINE</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upset heard around the volleyball world, Okemos did the unthinkable and took down Ann Arbor Skyline. Skyline may have been the heavy favorites for a repeat appearance in Kellogg, but behind a career performance on Okemos' side, the Wolves prevailed in a barn burner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What was once to be an All-SEC affair in the Woodhaven regional, Saline stands alone as the last team standing. The Hornets return for their second straight regional final after defeating the home squad on Tuesday. It's been the emergence of the Hornet middles as of late, as <strong>Beth Ann Ford</strong> had a huge night to propel Saline to a 3-1 victory. Going 9 for 20 in attacks, Ford was a force at the net with 5 stuff blocks as well. The Hornets will face off against a red hot Okemos squad coming off of a huge five-setter. The Wolves were led by a career performance by OH [player_tooltip player_id='140475' first='Taylor' last='Stephens']. Just short of a 30 kill night and a team high 17 digs, Stephens was unstoppable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going in, this match could very much go either way. If Okemos can hold on like they did against Skyline, they could pull off a regional title. But on the flip side, Saline plays a much cleaner game. Serve and pass is their M.O. and Okemos' victory on Tuesday saw them get aced 17 times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/"> Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->