2 Storylines Going Into the MHSAA Final Four

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>!&nbsp;</em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em>&nbsp;(APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With every post-season comes the big storylines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who upset who? What teams made it another round and which ones will have to wait another 12 months to try again?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elite 8 offered up an interesting night of volleyball, setting up the stage at Kellogg Arena. Take a peak at the two top stories coming out of the Quarterfinal rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1 Brought Out the Brooms! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last 8 teams standing. The best of the best on tap, brawling for their spot in the Final Four. You wouldn't think the night to end so quickly, but the Elite 8 was short lived in Division I. Every single match was won in straight sets! Not only were the brooms out on Tuesday night, but the average set score throughout the four matches were 25-16! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":276087,"width":"269px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/7-Cayla-Cogan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-276087" style="width:269px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the four teams entering the Final Four, Northville had one of the most dominating performances with set scores of 25-16, -16, -10. The performance was predominately charged by the offense ran by [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] (Illinois State) and a strong defensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] (Syracuse) and [player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'] (Wright State). Following them, Forest Hills Northern also made it a quick night in Hudsonville. Led by the killer senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] (Western Michigan) and [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky), the two combined for 28 kills hitting well over .500. These two teams are the lone returners from last year's Final Four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the opposite side of the bracket, Mercy and Clarkston had a slightly better challenge but still managed to sweep their way to Kellogg. Mercy put everything they had on the line against Catholic League foe and 3x defending state champions, Marian. Despite injury suspicion, [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] (Nebraska) does what she does best - win. [player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] led all Marlin attackers with 14 kills. For Clarkston, revenge was on the mind after last year's heartbreak at the SC4 Fieldhouse. Last year's quarterfinal game saw [player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] (George Washington) go down late in the match after running the tables all night. This year looked very similar, but with a much better result. Cogan would propel Clarkston to sweep L'Anse Creuse with 13 bombers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Branch is the Only Team Left to Repeat in 2023</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marian. Out. Pewamo-Westphalia. Out. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. Out. Will any of the 2022 state champions go on for a repeat? North Branch is hoping it is them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":479030,"width":"325px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Team-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-479030" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only is North Branch the only team left in the entire field to still be on the hunt for a consecutive title, but this storied program is on the hunt for a first ever repeat in program history! It hasn't been an easy road though. In arguably one of the toughest routes to the finals of any team, regardless of division, the Broncos have made it back to Kellogg. With wins over No. 3, 6 and 7 on the way to the semifinals, the Broncos will have to overcome No. 2 Grand Rapids Christian on Thursday to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the quarterfinals, North Branch took the rug out from under No. 7 Frankenmuth at the SC4 Fieldhouse. North Branch swept the Eagles in set scores of 25-20, -15, and -12. The Bronco's are now being fueled on experience, balance and athleticism to grab their third straight ticket to Kellogg; their seventh since 2010. Miss Volleyball nominee [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] (Wingate) and [player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky'] (Ferris State) led the charge from the service line combining for over 6 aces. [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] (Northwood) and [player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'] combined for 20+ kills in the sweep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->