Four Marquee Matchups In Week 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference races are starting to heat up and Week 6 of the prep season features some matchups that will likely help determine who takes home a league title in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's four anticipated matchups this week that feature some of the best teams in the state squaring off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northville at Brighton, Sept. 19</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great matchup of ranked D1 programs and top teams in the KLAA takes place this week when Brighton hosts Northville. The Mustangs haven't lost in over a month. That includes a 2-set win over Brighton earlier in the season. Northville hit .254 in the win, so Brighton will have to find ways to eliminate some of that effectiveness. Brighton had just two team blocks in the loss. It will have to get its hands on more Mustang attacks to allow its defense to have a chance. Northville's defense is top-level, which means Brighton is going to have to find ways to extend rallies, because the Mustangs will. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau']</strong> so impactful in the back row, Northville has been able to turn up the offensive intensity with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck']</strong>. Brighton will hope to counter with the all-around play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110298' first='Lea' last='Gage']</strong> and the hitting of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459254' first='Abby' last='Mainka']</strong> and <strong>Alyssa Swanson</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>GR Christian at Byron Center, Sept. 19</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron Center came through with a big win at home last week when it swept Forest Hills Northern. The Bulldogs will hope to match that effort when it hosts Grand Rapids Christian on Tuesday. Byron Center really put its foot on the gas at the end of the win over the Huskies, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110278' first='Caroline' last='Baker'] </strong>continuing an MVP-type season at setter. Baker's been in complete control and making a lot of high-IQ plays. Senior middle <strong>Mattie Sandholm </strong>has been a big presence in the middle while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong> continues to play like an upper classman at libero. The Eagles are also getting big contributions from a freshman in outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong>. She looks very comfortable in a lead hitting role, showing great chemistry with both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110284' first='Hanna' last='Bredeweg'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma']</strong>. GRC also has been a defensive power behind junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal']</strong>, who gets to ball after ball. This match should feature a lot of impressive rallies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Walled Lake Northern at South Lyon East, Sept. 19</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakes Valley Conference title could come down to Tuesday's match between Walled Lake Northern and South Lyon East. These two are both out to 2-0 starts in league play and have aspirations for the league title with previous champion Lakeland graduating a big class. East is rolling right now with six consecutive wins following a big Saturday with power series wins over ranked teams. Northern is looking for that marquee win to prove it can compete at the top level. The Cougars have a solid offensive lineup at the net with their wall of 6-foot+ hitters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110280' first='Katie' last='Berry'] </strong>is a 5'8” powerhouse of a player as well. The Knights will try to counter with their offensive balance of <strong>Hadley Krygier</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153668' first='Kayla' last='Budziak']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261199' first='Morgin' last='Parsley']</strong>. With both teams having capable offenses, the match is likely to come down to serve receive and passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rockford at Jenison, Sept. 21</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Rockford and Jenison have been busy playing very challenging schedules. Thursday's matchup should show us who is more battle-tested from the difficult opening month of opponents. Jenison has strung some solid wins together heading into this contest, including wins over Grandville and Gull Lake. The Rams have been rolling as well but did suffer a recent loss to surging Byron Center. The Rams have been relying on sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>for the bulk of their offense. That poses an interesting challenge for Jenison, which has senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222360' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson']</strong> and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226882' first='Karis' last='Chatfield']</strong> leading its offensive charge. Setting play will be key in this matchup. Junior <strong>Rudy Maynard </strong>has a good feel for the Wildcat hitters, while Rockford mixes in junior <strong>Ashley Williams </strong>and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher']. </strong>Whichever offense is able to find that offensive groove can likely ride the momentum to a victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->