Four Marquee Matchups In Week 5
In this article:
This week features some big-time league matchups on both ends of the state that have us excited. We should get a better feel for which teams are contenders and which are pretenders in the statewide title picture after Week 5.…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis week features some big-time league matchups on both ends of the state that have us excited.
We should get a better feel for which teams are contenders and which are pretenders in the statewide title picture after Week 5.
Saline at Bedford, Tuesday 7 p.m.
Is Bedford for real? That’s the big question that might get answered on Tuesday when it hosts a battle-tested Saline program. Bedford has one of the most dominant players in the state right now in Victoria Gray Victoria Gray 6'2" | MB Bedford | 2025 State #100 Nation MI , but Saline can answer with a lot of size on its own. Mallory Bohl Mallory Bohl 6'3" | MB Saline | 2024 State #102 Nation MI certainly could be that answer for Saline, as she and Gray have the potential to put on a great toe-to-toe battle. Another big matchup will be the battle of senior liberos in Mya Krohn for Bedford and Olivia Behen Olivia Behen 5'5" | DS/L Saline | 2024 State MI for Saline. The match may come down to which of these two can be more impactful.
Dakota at Marysville, Wednesday 6:30 p.m.
Dakota has played a tough schedule thus far and shown flashes of being a team that could contend in Division 1. However, it needs to find some consistency. Could that come against a top D2 program in Marysville? The Cougars will need to get continued power shots from their pins in Karley Pretzer Karley Pretzer 5'10" | OH Dakota | 2024 State MI and Abigail Wutka Abigail Wutka 5'11" | OH Macomb Dakota | 2025 State MI . They are up against a Marysville team finishing at a high percentage with a lot of offensive depth. Avery Woodard Avery Woodard 5'7" | S Marysville | 2024 State MI has the offense clicking and ready to show it can compete with anyone in the Macomb Area Conference. The Marysville serving has also been a challenge for opposing teams. Dakota will need to succeed with its serve receive to win.
Grand Haven at Hudsonville, Thursday 6:45 p.m.
A big matchup on the west side of the state comes Thursday night. Hudsonville has looked like it could be a frontrunner for the D1 title this season, while Grand Haven has the tools to be in the mix as well. Both teams bring a lot of offensive firepower, but Hudsonville is going to rely heavily on their two Miss Volleyball finalists in outside Isabelle Swiercz Isabelle Swiercz 6'2" | OH Hudsonville | 2024 State #110 Nation MI and libero Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI . Not to be outdone, Grand Haven has one of the top defenders in the state in Taylor Smaka Taylor Smaka 5'4" | DS/L Grand Haven | 2024 State MI . I expect both defenses to play well, creating a lot of long rallies. This match may come down to which setter can better get her team high-percentage swings. It also may require the secondary hitters to really shine.
Forest Hills Northern at Byron Center, Thursday 6 p.m.
The Huskies are looking like the D1 semifinalist squad that they were last season, but are set to face a pesky Byron Center team will have a chip on its shoulder. FH Northern is riding a nice win streak that has its confidence high. Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI was named a Miss Volleyball finalist while Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI is one of the top middles in the state. Byron Center comes in hot as well with recent wins over Rockford, Forest Hills Central, Forest Hills Eastern and Mattawan. Caroline Baker Caroline Baker 5'9" | S Byron Center | 2024 State MI is playing on another level at setter and getting the most out of her offensive options. She could be the difference maker that could allow Byron Center to get the big win at home.