Four Marquee Matchups In Week 6
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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. Here’s four anticipated matchups this week that feature some of…
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Continue ReadingConference 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.
Here’s four anticipated matchups this week that feature some of the best teams in the state squaring off.
Northville at Brighton, Sept. 19
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 Greta McKee Greta McKee 5'5" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI and Ashlee Gnau Ashlee Gnau 5'8" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI so impactful in the back row, Northville has been able to turn up the offensive intensity with Molly Reck Molly Reck 5'10" | OH Northville | 2025 State MI and Mallory Reck Mallory Reck 5'10" | RS Northville | 2025 State MI . Brighton will hope to counter with the all-around play of Lea Gage Lea Gage 5'10" | S Brighton | 2024 State MI and the hitting of Abby Mainka Abby Mainka 5'11" | OH Brighton | 2024 State MI and Alyssa Swanson.
GR Christian at Byron Center, Sept. 19
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 Caroline Baker Caroline Baker 5'9" | S Byron Center | 2024 State MI continuing an MVP-type season at setter. Baker’s been in complete control and making a lot of high-IQ plays. Senior middle Mattie Sandholm has been a big presence in the middle while freshman Mallory Johnson Mallory Johnson 5'6" | DS/L Byron Center | 2027 State MI continues to play like an upper classman at libero. The Eagles are also getting big contributions from a freshman in outside Grace Goodyke Grace Goodyke 6'1" | OH Grand Rapids Christian | 2027 State MI . She looks very comfortable in a lead hitting role, showing great chemistry with both Hanna Bredeweg Hanna Bredeweg 5'9" | S Grand Rapids Christian | 2024 State MI and Grace Spoelma Grace Spoelma 5'8" | S Grand Rapids Christian | 2024 State MI . GRC also has been a defensive power behind junior Madison Peal Madison Peal 5'8" | DS/L Grand Rapids Christian | 2025 State MI , who gets to ball after ball. This match should feature a lot of impressive rallies.
Walled Lake Northern at South Lyon East, Sept. 19
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 Gabriella Babinski Gabriella Babinski 6'1" | RS South Lyon East | 2025 State MI , Addison Williams Addison Williams 6'2" | MB South Lyon East | 2025 State MI and Lauren Johnson Lauren Johnson 6'2" | MB South Lyon East | 2025 State MI . Katie Berry Katie Berry 5'9" | OH South Lyon East | 2024 State MI is a 5’8” powerhouse of a player as well. The Knights will try to counter with their offensive balance of Hadley Krygier, Kayla Budziak Kayla Budziak 5'9" | OH Walled Lake Northern | 2024 State MI and Morgin Parsley Morgin Parsley 5'10" | S Walled Lake Northern | 2026 State MI . With both teams having capable offenses, the match is likely to come down to serve receive and passing.
Rockford at Jenison, Sept. 21
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 Liv Hosford Liv Hosford 5'11" | OH Rockford | 2026 State MI and freshman Mallory Wandel Mallory Wandel 6'0" | OH Rockford | 2027 State MI for the bulk of their offense. That poses an interesting challenge for Jenison, which has senior Aubrey Johnson Aubrey Johnson 6'1" | OH Jenison | 2024 State MI and sophomore Karis Chatfield Karis Chatfield 5'11" | OH Jenison | 2026 State MI leading its offensive charge. Setting play will be key in this matchup. Junior Rudy Maynard has a good feel for the Wildcat hitters, while Rockford mixes in junior Ashley Williams and sophomore Izzie Delacher Izzie Delacher 5'9" | S Rockford | 2026 State MI . Whichever offense is able to find that offensive groove can likely ride the momentum to a victory.