Top Performers on Day 2 of the MHSAA Final Four (D1/4)

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! </em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>It's the last weekend of the season! This is for all of the marbles.</p>   <p>Day 2 marked the Final Four for Divisions I and IV. From the full field, to now just 2 remaining teams, who will be crowned champion?</p>   <p>In Divison I, Forest Hills Northern and Mercy will go toe-to-toe for the title. This is the first appearance for Mercy since 2019, and FHN since 2005! In Division IV, we had ourselves a pair of barn-burners. Everest Collegiate advances to their first ever title game after pulling off the reverse sweep over the favorite Lenawee Christian. Leland advances to ANOTHER finals after winning in 2015.</p>   <p>North Branch advances to play in their third straight state final and will meet Grand Rapids West Catholic. In Division III, we will crown a first-ever champion on Saturday. Kalamazoo Christian will seek redemption after last year's loss and Traverse City St. Francis will make their first appearance since 2012.</p>   <p>Let's take a look at the standouts from Day 2 of the MHSAA Final Four weekend!</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/D4-Semi-1-1.jpg?w=862" alt="" class="wp-image-479932" style="width:171px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley'] - Everest Collegiate</h2>   <p>In one of the most impressive performances of the entire weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley'] put this team on her back and ran! In a blistering 25 kill, 23 dig performance, Bradley's play took this team from being swept in the Semi Finals to winning in five. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann'] - Everest Collegiate</h2>   <p>Right alongside Bradley, this team would have not been able to pull off the upset over title favorites Lenawee Christian if it weren't for [player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann']. While a quiet start to the game, Krappmann would go on to pull off 20 kills and 15 digs in the win. 9 of those kills came in the must-win fourth set.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] - Lenawee Christian</h2>   <p>The Cougars just simply couldn't get the ball to this player enough. The opening two sets were the [player_tooltip player_id='473915' first='Hannah' last='Baker'] (Hillsdale) show for LCS. Baker would knock down 11 of her 18 kills in these two sets alone. She'd go on to near the illusive triple-double mark with 11 digs and 9 blocks on the day.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gabby Bryja - Lenawee Christian </h2>   <p>She may be small, but her play is quite mighty. <strong>Gabby Bryja</strong>'s play was very reminiscent of a <strong>Alaina Brubaker</strong> from last year's Division IV Finals. A player just touching 5'6 and running the offense all on her own. Bryja had 39 assists and 11 digs.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/D4-Semi-2-11.jpg?w=809" alt="" class="wp-image-480020" style="width:185px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord'] - Leland</h2>   <p>There are some pretty high-level names to have graced the courts of Leland Volleyball and after all is said and done, [player_tooltip player_id='254395' first='Fiona' last='Moord']'s name will join the list. Capping off an amazing career, Moord was able to right the ship in yesterday's brawl over CF Forest Park. The senior leader logged 19 kills and 15 digs in their five-set win.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kelsey Allen - Leland</h2>   <p>This is a team of seven strong. Each and everyone of the seven bring something special to the court. Kelsey Allen's play yesterday proved this statement. Standing at 6'1, 5+ inches over the entire CFFP roster, Allen was using her height to her advantage. Hitting .324 in the match, Allen knocked in 15 kills.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Audrey Franz - CF Forest Park</h2>   <p>Leading one of the most scrappiest defense teams is quite a feat. <strong>Audrey Franz</strong> leads the charge for CF Forest Park. And while libero's aren't always given the respect of team's success, a lot of the reason CFFP could stay in this match was because of Franz' play. Franz had a weekend leading 29 digs in the match.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] - Northville</h2>   <p>Returning for their second year in a row, Northville had a tough bout in this year's semis. Despite the loss, S [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] (Illinois State) continued to shine. Where the Mustang's began to fade away, Craggs took the game into her hands. She would go down with a double-double performance (34as/16d).</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110295' first='Elana' last='Erickson'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <p>While she may have started slow, Elan Erickson (Western Michigan) left Kellogg on fire! In a valiant showcase of Erickson's No. 1 ranked status in the 2024 class, she was virtually everywhere in this match. With a match-high 20 kills and 19 digs, Erickson avenges this team's Semi Final loss from a year ago to propel Northern to the finals.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/D1-Semi-1-19.jpg?w=892" alt="" class="wp-image-480083" style="width:193px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] - Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <p>The Huskies have one of the strongest 1-2 punches in the state, and that was proven in yesterday's match. There may not be a middle in the state that can play the complete game as well as [player_tooltip player_id='110305' first='Kendall' last='Hopewell'] (Northern Kentucky) can. Passes like a libero. Bombs away like a pro. It doesn't get much better. Hopewell went up with 9K/8D/3A in the semis.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madalin Hersman - Forest Hills Northern</h2>   <p>While this epic duo is imprressive, another thing that caught my eye was the step-up from the underclassmen. As only a sophomore, playing in her first Final Four, <strong>Madalin Hersman</strong> went out playing like it was her home court. Hersman was the clutch-woman for the Huskies with 11k/11d in the match. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] - Mercy</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/D1-Semi-2-6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-480134" style="width:214px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Will [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] pull off a World Championship AND State Championship in the span of 3 months? She just might. Last night saw Flynn in all of her glory. Center stage, under the big lights and being completely unstoppable. In the opening set, after being down 22-14, Flynn would take the game into her own hands with 5 kills on 5 swings to close it out. After set 1? It was all Marlins, including the match winning ace from the woman herself.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] - Mercy</h2>   <p>Welcome to Kellogg Arena, [player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']! Make yourself comfortable, now. If this rookie's debut is of any indication of what is to come, Kalczynski will be back a few more times in her career. With how she was rocketing in her 14 kills, you would have had no idea that this player was only a freshman.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] - Mercy</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] may be one of the most fascinating players in all of MHSAA Volleyball. 5'7 in the middle for one of the best teams in Division I, and she's one of the top middles in the state. She proved herself in this one. With 5 kills in the sweep, it was even more impressive to see her blocking prowess as she finished with 8 stuffs on the night.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] - Clarkston </h2>   <p>This may not have been the way Clarkston envisioned this game. But if there is any good to take out of this one, it's that they'll have [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] for another 3 years. Yes, another freshman phenom is showing out in Battle Creek. With 9k/9d on the night, Smith's versatility and composure was an treat to see. She has the ability to flip into any role she's given and perform at the highest of levels.</p>