Division 1 Quarterfinal Predictions
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We have officially reached finals week and it starts with four outstanding quarterfinals in Division 1. Each matchup should be thrilling and the caliber of a Kellogg Arena contest. Here’s the breakdown four all four contests and a pick for…
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Continue ReadingWe have officially reached finals week and it starts with four outstanding quarterfinals in Division 1.
Each matchup should be thrilling and the caliber of a Kellogg Arena contest.
Here’s the breakdown four all four contests and a pick for which team will prevail.
Grand Haven vs. Forest Hills Northern
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 Elana Erickson Elana Erickson 5'10" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #79 Nation MI and Kendall Hopewell Kendall Hopewell 6'1" | MB Forest Hills Northern | 2024 State #193 Nation MI to turn to, while the Bucs have Izzy Whittaker Izzy Whittaker 6'1" | OH Grand Haven | 2024 State MI and Mallory Woiteshek Mallory Woiteshek 6'3" | OH Grand Haven | 2027 State MI . This contest is likely to come down to defense. Taylor Smaka Taylor Smaka 5'4" | DS/L Grand Haven | 2024 State MI is a veteran senior libero that Grand Haven has relied heavily on. Sydney Shannon Sydney Shannon 5'6" | DS/L Forest Hills Northern | 2026 State MI 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.
Prediction: Forest Hills Northern over Grand Haven in four
Portage Northern vs. Northville
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 Ella Craggs Ella Craggs 5'9" | S Northville | 2025 State #127 Nation MI for Northville and Sydney Bates Sydney Bates 5'11" | S Portage Northern | 2025 State MI for Portage Northern. Both spread the ball well and bring the best out of their hitters, for which they have a lot. Marley Onken Marley Onken 5'7" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2025 State MI is also a great defensive leader for Portage Northern, but the Mustangs have been arguably the top defensive team in the state behind seniors Ashlee Gnau Ashlee Gnau 5'8" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI and Greta McKee Greta McKee 5'5" | DS/L Northville | 2024 State MI . Look for those two to make the difference to get Northville back to Battle Creek.
Prediction: Northville over Portage Northern in four
L’Anse Creuse North vs. Clarkston
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 Cayla Cogan Cayla Cogan 5'10" | OH Clarkston | 2024 State #96 Nation MI 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 Sarah Curtis Sarah Curtis 5'9" | DS/L L'Anse Creuse North | 2024 State MI , Kate Schneider Kate Schneider 6'1" | MB L'Anse Creuse North | 2025 State MI and Brooklyn Lewis. Clarkston counters with Cogan, Marlie Smith Marlie Smith 5'10" | S Clarkston | 2027 State MI and Addison Newblatt Addison Newblatt 5'9" | OH Clarkston | 2025 State MI . 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.
Prediction: Clarkston over L’Anse Creuse North in four
Marian vs. Mercy
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 Campbell Flynn Campbell Flynn 6'2" | S Mercy | 2025 State #4 Nation MI 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. Isabelle Busignani Isabelle Busignani 6'1" | OH Marian | 2025 State #73 Nation MI 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. Kate Kalczynski Kate Kalczynski 6'1" | OH Mercy | 2027 State MI has been a game-changing outside for Mercy, while Calli LeFevre Calli LeFevre 5'11" | OH Marian | 2027 State MI and Sophia Smith Sophia Smith 6'2" | RS Marian | 2027 State MI 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.
Prediction: Marian over Mercy in five