Division 4 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>Division 4 has provided some of the best state finals in recent memory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The exciting finishes tend to be because the division has the most balance among its top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is that the case again in 2024?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Will Everest Collegiate be able to repeat?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston Everest Collegiate managed to win the 2023 D4 title in dramatic fashion with a pair of five-set wins in Battle Creek. Those wins came with just one senior on the roster. This year's team has far more experience and knows it can win the title. That is a scary thought for the rest of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley'] </strong>was D4 POY last year for her dominant run in the semifinals and finals. She and fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann'] </strong>have been a 1-2 punch that are among the best in the state, regardless of division. <strong>Addison Pierce </strong>has taken another step as a middle and gives CEC that imposing size at the net. <strong>Erica Walker </strong>worked with all these hitters last year at setter and has added a lot of experience to her game as well. Defensively, <strong>Samantha Pietras </strong>is a senior libero that knows what to expect this time of year as well. Getting the Mountaineers out of this tournament will be no small feat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Former champs stand in the way</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to keep CEC from the title will be a pair of recent state champs in Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart and Mendon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Irish won the title two season ago, also in dramatic fashion. This year's squad has a lot of senior leadership, led by setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595955' first='Sophie' last='Hauck']</strong> and hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='610342' first='Erin' last='Judge'] </strong>and <strong>Chelsea Lynch</strong>. Those three do enough to keep SHA in the mix with anyone in Division 4, but the Irish also are strong with the fundamentals, which is key in tight postseason matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mendon won the first two D4 titles in 2018 and 2019. The Hornets have been ranked near the top of the rankings all season and that's due to being well-balanced around the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551470' first='Jadyn' last='Samson'] </strong>is a standout defender that keeps her team in any match. <strong>Brianna Heitkamp</strong> and <strong>Lila Schinker</strong> also add to the defensive prowess in their own ways while being viable offensive options alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464695' first='Gracie' last='Schultz'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732270' first='Cienna' last='Nightingale']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595984' first='Kayla' last='Wenzel'] </strong>is a solid setter that spreads the ball out nicely, as well. This team gets contributions from everyone, so you can't focus in on a single player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Dark horse contenders</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 4 has the potential to be wide open this year. While the top-level teams are going to be a handful, there's still some other teams to watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-Unity Christian has one of the best in the division in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227666' first='Ella' last='Deklyen']</strong>. The senior outside has been a consistent finisher for years. <strong>Natalia Eerdmans </strong>is another senior hitter that has proven she can take over a match as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake is a team to look at as well. The team is senior-led and has multiple players that can lead the offensive charge. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723141' first='Nora' last='Proos']</strong> is the top option and a composed player at the net. <strong>Jojo Marsh </strong>and <strong>Rachel Kalamaros </strong>round out the arms while <strong>Aislin Sargent </strong>works the ball around to her hitters in a very efficient fashion. This team is pretty polished and won't beat itself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->