Division 1 Postseason Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Michigan Top 250 Expo is going to be taking place on Sunday, Dec. 1 in Pontiac. You can </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1300/register/michigan-top-250-expo"><em>sign up now</em></a><em> to be a part of the event. Get $10 off your registration by using promo code “EllisExpo2024”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 postseason gets started in one week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe we are already down to the final month of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division 1, the defending champs look like the team to beat, but there are still some talented contenders that could shake things up. Here's a look at key storylines heading into district play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Will Mercy repeat?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington Hills Mercy is the defending state champs and the Marlins have yet to drop a match to an in-state opponent in the 2024 season. After being somewhat inexperienced in 2023 and still finding their way to the title, this year's squad is loaded and has a lot of big-match experience to rely on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] </strong>continues to be one of the best overall players in the country. Opponents won't have a way to stop her, so will have to try and slow her down as best as they can. However, with its deep bench of hitters, Flynn is likely going to play at a high level the rest of the year. <strong>Kate Kalczysnki </strong>has taken her game to another level as a sophomore and is one of the best finishers in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226944' first='Maya' last='Zarow'] </strong>is a steady finisher on the right, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] </strong>pack a big punch in the middle. Until someone shows they can beat Mercy, you have to think the Marlins are the team to beat again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Familiar foes to challenge?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":704833,"width":"296px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/BOE-2024-55.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-704833" style="width:296px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercy doesn't have to look far for potential challengers to the title. Many have been in their path over recent years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CHSL rival <strong>Marian </strong>has had some ups and downs, but still has a lot of talent around the floor. Should the Mustangs find that next gear, they could pose a big threat. <strong>Northville, Forest Hills Northern </strong>and <strong>Clarkston </strong>all reached Battle Creek last season and have been among the top-ranked teams throughout the year. The Mustangs and Huskies have been right on Mercy's heels and show a lot of balance, but Clarkston is coming off a big five-set win over Northville last week that was a season-defining moment for the team and could be what the Wolves need to propel them to a strong postseason run. Northville seems to have the most experience to try and match Mercy, but the two would meet in a regional semifinal this year, so something will have to give before Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One common theme behind these four teams and Mercy is each has great setting. Along with Flynn, Northville's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs']</strong>, FH Northern's <strong>Lexie Stotenbur</strong>, Marian's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226885' first='Allie' last='Davison']</strong> and Clarkston's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong> are all playing at an elite level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who could be dark horses?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":709685,"width":"297px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/BOE-2024-57-crop-4086x2683-1729780956.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-709685" style="width:297px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you look past Mercy, there's a lot of teams that seem like they can play at an elite level. There doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between a top-10 team and a top-25 team right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few programs that haven't been in the spotlight are primed to be a threat this next month. <strong>Grand Rapids Northview</strong> has some impressive wins and in some of the losses, have taken sets off top teams. Northview shows a lot of scrappiness that makes them a tough out. They also have a lot of confidence and energy, which is dangerous for opponents this time of year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Utica Eisenhower </strong>has all the making of being a contender for year's ahead. Could this young group be like Mercy and win despite being inexperienced? It's possible. They are one of the few teams to take a set from the Marlins in 2024. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi'] </strong>is one of the bright stars of the sophomore class at setter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454359' first='Elise' last='Biermann'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226894' first='Gina' last='Fedrigo'] </strong>can bring the hammer down at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mona Shores </strong>is another team that has a lot of potential. It won't be an easy road to getting deep into the postseason, but the Sailors are a team that could get hot and be very tough to stop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='224601' first='Grace' last='Allen'] </strong>is a 2025 outside that doesn't get the credit she deserves and juniors <strong>Laynie Russell </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591756' first='Maddie' last='Russell'] </strong>can be a handful as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Toughest districts</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grand Rapids area won't be lacking in exciting districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 5 </strong>at Coopersville features the host Broncos as well as Grand Haven and Mona Shores. Grand Haven made a run to the quarterfinals last year, but will be pushed by these teams eying an upset run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 7 </strong>at Wyoming features powers Jenison and Hudsonville on a potential collision course. These two are teams capable of reaching Battle Creek, so a district matchup will be must-see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 8 </strong>at East Grand Rapids has EGR, FH Northern, FH Central, Ottawa Hills and Lowell. Northern may be the team to beat, but it is up against a lot of rivals that aren't lacking in talent, themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the East side of the state, there is one district to be sure to catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 21 </strong>at Novi includes Northville and South Lyon East. The Mustangs have the past success to rely on, but East has a lot of size to utilize at the net. Novi isn't a team you can look past either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->