Division 1 Quarterfinal Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially reached finals week and it starts with four outstanding quarterfinals in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each matchup should be thrilling and the caliber of a Kellogg Arena contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the breakdown four all four contests and a pick for which team will prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Grand Haven vs. Forest Hills Northern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a crowded Grand Rapids area, these two teams never crossed paths during the 2023 season, so that adds another level of excitement to an already great matchup that will take place at Hudsonville. There's a lot of impressive hitters in this matchup. The Huskies have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']</strong> to turn to, while the Bucs have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']</strong>. This contest is likely to come down to defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka']</strong> is a veteran senior libero that Grand Haven has relied heavily on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490347' first='Sydney' last='Shannon'] </strong>is a sophomore libero playing at a high level right now. The Huskies do have the experience of reaching Kellogg Arena a year ago that they can rely on. Grand Haven may feel the pressure of the stage a little more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Forest Hills Northern over Grand Haven in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Portage Northern vs. Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two will be meeting in Ypsilanti. Northville really has been tested throughout the postseason. The Mustangs have had to best teams like South Lyon East, Bedford and Saline to make it to the quarterfinal. That's a lot of emotional energy to get through. Portage Northern has had a smoother road. That could be good, or it could be bad. How will the Huskies respond to the adversity that is sure to come in this matchup? This quarterfinal will be a great matchup of junior setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] </strong>for Northville and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] </strong>for Portage Northern. Both spread the ball well and bring the best out of their hitters, for which they have a lot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288963' first='Marley' last='Onken']</strong> is also a great defensive leader for Portage Northern, but the Mustangs have been arguably the top defensive team in the state behind seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee']</strong>. Look for those two to make the difference to get Northville back to Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Northville over Portage Northern in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>L'Anse Creuse North vs. Clarkston</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves have been dreaming of this moment for a full year. It was at SC4 Fieldhouse in Port Huron that Clarkston had match point against Marian in the 2022 quarterfinal when <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110288' first='Cayla' last='Cogan'] </strong>blew out her knee going for a potential match-ending kill. Clarkston would go on to lose in five sets, but that moment has driven this year's squad. Now, they face a very game LCN team that is looking to play spoiler. Both teams have offensive depth and can attack from multiple angles. The Crusaders have a trio in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473948' first='Sarah' last='Curtis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459245' first='Kate' last='Schneider'] </strong>and <strong>Brooklyn Lewis</strong>. Clarkston counters with Cogan, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</strong>. The offense that is more in-sync is likely to come out on top. Both teams also serve very aggressively and are likely to get on some momentum-shifting service runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Clarkston over L'Anse Creuse North in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Marian vs. Mercy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rivalry adds another big chapter on Tuesday at Dearborn High School. This chapter will be the fifth of the 2023 season, with each team picking up two victories on the year. The key for Mercy has been the Marlins have won the two where <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn']</strong> was playing. Injuries kept her from the most recent matches, but she is back for this quarterfinal. Flynn is an elite-level talent that is able to bring out the best in her hitters. Marian will have its hands full, but the Mustangs are not going to go away quietly. They have shown tremendous resiliency during this three-year run atop Division 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</strong> is a fiery competitor who can take her game to another level to keep Marian alive. This matchup is likely to come down to some freshman. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong> has been a game-changing outside for Mercy, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='<strong>Calli</strong>' last='<strong>LeFevre</strong>']</strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']</strong> are two key hitters for Marian. Whichever freshman are able to play more like upperclassmen are likely to come out on top. Mercy may feel it has the bragging rights coming into the match, but it's tough to pick against Marian until someone ends its run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Marian over Mercy in five</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->