Four Marquee Matchups In Week 7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 7 of the 2023 prep season brings us a heap of big-time contests that will be decided by a few points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's four anticipated matchups this week that feature some exciting conference clashes and key pairings we could see in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Athens at Mendon, Tuesday</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two top D4 programs are set to clash on Tuesday in an anticipated matchup. Mendon has been racking up the wins over recent weeks, but now meets up with last year's D4 runner-up. The Hornets get the home court and have to feel confident. They are getting a lot of solid defensive play from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson']</strong> in the back row, which helps Mendon get the ball to their hitters in <strong>Brianna Heitkamp</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464695' first='Gracie' last='Schultz']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462076' first='Alicyn' last='Arevalo']</strong> and <strong>Makenna Mullin</strong>. Athens has taken some lumps this year, getting everyone's best. However, Athens still has a lot of big-match experience to rely on. <strong>Piper Porter </strong>has hit another gear as a senior hitter to help lead the offense and senior <strong>Kami Parlin </strong>has been a strong finisher anywhere at the net as well. A key will be for setters <strong>Camdyn Roach </strong>and <strong>Raelee Vaughn </strong>to lead the way. If they can get the ball smoothly to their power arms, Athens can make it a tough night for Mendon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>L'Anse Creuse North at Marysville, Tuesday</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a huge match in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division, with both teams sitting at 4-0 in conference play. The Crusaders have been very business-like this season, quietly racking up wins and getting better. LCN has a lot of defense to rely on, led by senior <strong>Marissa Baaso</strong>. She's been all over the court making defensive plays. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473948' first='Sarah' last='Curtis'] </strong>is a defensive force in the back row as well to go with being the team's lead attack option. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459245' first='Kate' last='Schneider'] </strong>could also be the difference-maker here, as she is a strong finisher in the middle and can rack up the blocks. Marysville just got a good lesson against the top-ranked teams in Division 1 and Division 2 about a week ago. It could have shown them where they need to tighten up. Senior <strong>Kalista Negin </strong>will be key at libero. If she can get the ball cleanly to setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard']</strong>, things are likely to go well. Woodard is a proven floor general that is getting powerful swings out of the likes of <strong>Janae Hudson </strong>and <strong>Avery Wolters</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lutheran North at Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Tuesday</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big match in the CHSL AA Division sees Orchard Lake St. Mary's squaring off with Macomb Lutheran North. The Mustangs and Eaglets have been tearing through their CHSL foes so far, so this game will be a real test to see who handles the adversity better. LCN has a lot of defense it can rely on. Outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458350' first='Claire' last='Leinberger'] </strong>is a dig machine, while <strong>Kayla Reynolds</strong>, <strong>Kaitlyn Herrington </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261207' first='Sharayna' last='Luckie']</strong> provided a lot of depth in the back row. Up front, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='271120' first='Ava' last='Acre'] </strong>is a block machine with 76 already on the year while hitting an impressive .412 offensively. LCN will need all the defensive help it can get against this OLSM team that serves very aggressively with each rotation. The Eaglets also have a lot of size and depth at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239993' first='Kadie' last='Tarasiewicz'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs']</strong> are a dominant 1-2 punch in the middle while <strong>Sophie Borowski </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin'] </strong>are smooth swings on the outside. Martin is also a top defensive prospect that makes the Eaglets a well-rounded and technically sound team. I expect a lot of long rallies in this one, as both defensive squads will make life hard on each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Portage Northern at Gull Lake, Wednesday</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a great matchup with bragging rights heading into a potential district showdown at stake on Wednesday. Both teams have been putting up strong seasons thus far to showcase their potential as being Division 1 spoilers come the postseason. Gull Lake has the on-court leadership from senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172199' first='Sophie' last='Crawford']</strong>, who runs a smooth offense and gets in on the action as well. Crawford, <strong>Bree Eklund </strong>and <strong>Kayce Gleesing</strong> have all been consistent finishers for the Blue Devils thus far, with Eklund and Crawford also putting in a lot of effort on the block. Crawford is aided by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange']</strong>, one of the dig leaders in the entire state with 304 already on the year. She's proven she can make life tough on any opposing hitters. Portage Northern will test that, as setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] </strong>is doing a great job of running a fast offense with explosive hitters like <strong>Jordyn Huges</strong>, <strong>Kiera Sims </strong>and <strong>Emersyn Alban</strong>. Bates being able to mix it up and play fast is also a testament to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288963' first='Marley' last='Onken']</strong>, who is excelling at libero as well. This should be a real interesting chess match on Wednesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->