Four Division 1 district finals to watch
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We’ve already got ourselves some major postseason matchups in Division 1. Though district schedules bounce around and some are further along than others, there are four finals already locked into happen that could be featured at Kellogg Arena in Battle…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve already got ourselves some major postseason matchups in Division 1.
Though district schedules bounce around and some are further along than others, there are four finals already locked into happen that could be featured at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
Here’s a look at four upcoming games that you need to check out if they are in your area.
No. 10 Novi vs. No. 2 Northville at Northville
This matchup has been pretty important in the postseason landscape in a majority of the recent years. This year should be no different. The Mustangs own three wins over the Wildcats already this year, including a four-set win during their KLAA conference meeting. In that match, Northville proved to be more consistent at the net, hitting .236 compared to Novi’s .176. Abigail Reck Abigail Reck 6'2" | MB Northville | 2023 State #74 Nation MI was the dominant force with 24 kills, but Avry Nelson Avry Nelson 6'3" | MB Northville | 2024 State MI came through with 13 kills while hitting .435 in the match. The Mustangs also put up eight aces as a team, which is surprising against a great Novi defense led by Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI and Kaitlyn Hoffman Kaitlyn Hoffman 5'8" | DS/L Novi | 2023 State #81 Nation MI . The Wildcats will have to win the serve and serve receive battle to pull off the upset.
No. 12 Lake Orion vs. No. 9 Clarkston at Clarkston
It’s a pretty routine postseason matchup to see these two rivals collide. It’s usually a match with plenty of fireworks as well. So, even though Clarkston has won 7 of 8 sets against Lake Orion this year, don’t count the Dragons out. Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI has shown she can single-handedly take over a match. She put up 32 kills against the Wolves in their four-set OAA Red regular season encounter. The Dragons will likely need another hitter to play a larger role for them to win. That could be junior Devin Brunk Devin Brunk 5'10" | OH Lake Orion | 2024 State MI , who put up 10 kills and hit .421 against Clarkston in the four-set matchup. Clarkston’s got a lot of balance, but also a lot of power on the outsides. Paige Giehtbrock Paige Giehtbrock 6'0" | OH Clarkston | 2023 State MI is a great all-around talent, while Cayla Cogan Cayla Cogan 5'10" | OH Clarkston | 2024 State #96 Nation MI can really bring the heat at the pin. Their defensive effort has been strong all season as well, led by libero Kiley Gallagher Kiley Gallagher 5'5" | DS/L Clarkston | 2024 State MI . Lake Orion is going to need its best performance of the year to win, but stranger things have happened in this rivalry.
No. 3 Forest Hills Northern vs. No. 15 Coopersville at Kenowa Hills
The hitting talent in this matchup will be outstanding. Both teams bring a lot of size and power to the net. FHN has Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI and Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI on the outside to go along with Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI in the middle. Coopersville has Emily May Emily May 6'1" | OH Coopersville | 2023 State MI on the outside, Avery Powers Avery Powers 6'0" | MB Coopersville | 2025 State MI in the middle and a long and aggressive setter in Hayley Wegener Hayley Wegener 5'11" | S Coopersville | 2023 State MI . When the two met earlier in the season during a tournament, Northern won both sets, but by just two points in both. It was a very back-and-forth matchup. With the hitting talent in this contest, both teams have the ability to get on a hot streak on a moment’s notice.
No. 17 Caledonia vs. No. 4 Forest Hills Central at Caledonia
These two played in a three-set match back in August. FHC won a razor-close third set 15-13 after the two traded 25-20 sets. Sarah Dunn Sarah Dunn 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2023 State MI was the power swinger that pushed the Rangers through for the victory with 13 kills. She’s built on that with a great senior season and has her complimentary outside in junior Avery Weslow Avery Weslow 5'11" | OH Forest Hills Central | 2024 State MI that could play a bigger role in this rematch. Caledonia has more of a balanced attack that can come at you from a variety of angles. Senior setter Avery Palmateer Avery Palmateer 5'10" | S Caledonia | 2023 State MI will need to play a strong game and find the hot hitter throughout the match.