Division 4 Quarterfinal Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 4 quarterfinals have a great mix of power programs and new contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The field for this year's final eight teams feels pretty wide open. Despite the top-ranked team still being alive, there's still a lot to prove and a lot of hungry teams standing in the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at Tuesday's four matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Our Lady of the Lake vs. Lenawee Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lenawee Christian goes into this week as the No. 1 ranked team and recently got past No. 3 Hillsdale Academy and No. 7 Battle Creek St. Philip in regional play. Now the Cougars have to contend with a feisty Our Lady of the Lake team at Portage Central. The Cougars have all the traits you look for in a title team. They serve aggressively, have a lot of hitting depth and make good first contact. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker']</strong>, <strong>Sophie Samonek</strong> and <strong>Whitney Lilly</strong> provide a lot of athleticism at the net that will challenge OLL. The Lakers have a real dynamic player in junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723141' first='Nora' last='Proos']</strong>, who has over 400 kills and 500 digs this season. It will be up to Our Lady to had a standout defensive day on Tuesday if they hope to stop ALC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Lenawee Christian over Our Lady of the Lake in three</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. Marlette</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of ranked teams meet up in Fenton on Tuesday when No. 6 Marlette faces No. 10 Clarkston Everest Collegiate. Both teams have been steady throughout the year and bring a lot of power to the net. Marlette has plenty of size to work with and the athleticism of <strong>Gabby Martinez </strong>and <strong>Adi Ruggles</strong>, while Everest Collegiate has a powerful 1-2 punch on the outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley']</strong>. Everest does own a close best-of-three win over Marlette from a month ago, but Marlette wasn't quite at full strength. Will that be the difference?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Everest Collegiate over Marlette in five</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Leland vs. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rematch of a 2022 quarterfinal that helped spring Sacred Heart to the state championship. The Irish come in ranked No. 5, while Leland is ranked No. 4. These two collide at Ferris State University in what should be an outstanding match. The Irish graduated some key hitters from last year's championship team, but still have good experience at setter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595955' first='Sophie' last='Hauck'] </strong>and libero with <strong>Bridget Ruiz</strong>. SHA is still able to finish consistently up front with <strong>Leah Smith </strong>and <strong>Erin Judge</strong>. Leland is a veteran squad that has been thinking about the loss to the Irish all year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] </strong>is one of the most dominant hitters in D4 and she's got <strong>Kelsey Allen </strong>by her side. Leland only has seven on the roster, which could provide challenges this week, but they seem determined to get back to Kellogg Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Leland over Sacred Heart in five</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Crystal Falls Forest Park vs. Newberry</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forest Park is ranked No. 9 and looking for a return trip to Battle Creek after it got there in 2022 with a relatively young roster. Standing in its way is a matchup with Newberry in Manistique. The Trojans bring a solid offense behind the hitting of <strong>Ema Stepien </strong>and <strong>Ava Fischer </strong>on the outside, while <strong>Leah Feldhausen </strong>is steady in the middle. <strong>Audrey Franz </strong>is also a tireless libero in the back that racks up the digs quickly. Newberry is playing in its first quarterfinal since 1991, so this is definitely new territory for them. <strong>Elisa Rizzoli </strong>has been the leader for Newberry all season and has been raising her game in the postseason, able to finish consistently at the net or in the back row. <strong>Amelia Shanley </strong>and <strong>Addison Schroeder </strong>have also been forces on the court and will be vital if Newberry is to reach Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Forest Park over Newberry in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->