2024 D2 Semifinals: Key Players & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 2 is set to crown a first-time state champion this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four teams are competing for the honor, with three of them never reaching a championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's not to say the four remaining teams aren't loaded with talent, as they have all been ranked at some point in the year, and two of them have been in the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at Friday's semifinal pairings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 7 Tecumseh vs. HM Garber – 4:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tecumseh and Garber are both looking to close out Cinderella runs as they have navigated their way to a semifinal appearance. Tecumseh was the Class B runner-up in 2011, but has never won a title, while Garber has never played for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garber brings one of the most productive sophomores in the state in outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard']</strong>. She put down an eye-popping 47 kills in the regional final. She's getting a chance to showcase her talent on the big stage this weekend and is likely to live up to the hype. <strong>Ella Kokaly </strong>is Lenhard's junior setter that has brought the best out of her, but she's also getting big production out of senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553153' first='Audrey' last='Ball']</strong>. Ball is approaching 500 kills and 100 blocks on the year, proving she can be a lot for opponents to plan for. Defensively, <strong>Rylee Jatczak </strong>is a senior libero that is working her way toward 500 digs. She's very active in the back row and doing a great job of giving the offense a chance to work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tecumseh took out Divine Child in four sets on Tuesday to reach Battle Creek. The Indians have a pretty good balance offensively. Leading the way has been junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726472' first='Emma' last='Eldred']</strong>. She's able to finish anywhere along the net with over 500 kills. Then there are three other Tecumseh players with at least 200 kills. They are outside <strong>Madelyn VanBlack </strong>(337), middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721446' first='Alli' last='Zajac'] </strong>(300) and middle <strong>Lauren Kilbarger </strong>(201). Their combined success is a tribute to <strong>Lily Gnodtke</strong>, the team's setter. The junior mixes up pacing and location well, trying to keep opponents guessing. VanBlack and Eldred are sound defensive players as well, as is <strong>Chloe Bullinger</strong>. Zajac has also done her part with her blocking ability. The 6'2” senior has over 100 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be an interesting match. Tecumseh will look to utilize its depth, while Garber will focus on its power hitters. Both teams are battle-tested, but I think Tecumseh's overall balance will pull out this win. I expect it to be a long match, so fresher legs should prevail in the late sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Tecumseh over Garber in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 2 Country Day vs. No. 3 Harper Creek – 6:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday's action closed out with a banger. DCD and Harper Creek have been eying a state title all season and playing at a high level. This matchup won't be short on powerful swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper Creek moved from D1 to D2 this season and was ranked No. 1 most of the year. The Beavers have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state offensively in senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472798' first='Cassidy' last='Pratley']</strong> and sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson']</strong>. The two have over 1,200 kills combined, with Pratley hitting nearly .400 in the middle. Senior <strong>Ella Chantrenne</strong> is a nice third option as well that could make a big impact this weekend if team's focus too much on the other two hitters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732295' first='Taegan' last='Anderson'] </strong>runs the offense and has racked up nearly 1,400 assists on the year. Defensively, <strong>Addison Woodruff </strong>compliments the powerful offense with her play at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Country Day has been knocking on the door of a Battle Creek appearance for some time and this year's squad managed to punch its ticket with a 5-set win over defending champ, North Branch, on Tuesday. The Jackets have a solid 1-2 punch of their own on offense in senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] </strong>and junior outside <strong>Elise Heimstra</strong>. The two can put down some powerful attacks, with Grenadier hitting .478 on the year and Heimstra hitting .308. Their hitting speaks to the play of freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff']</strong>. She plays with a lot of maturity and isn't afraid of a pressure spot. Woodruff has shown over the season to be one of the top Class of 2028 talents in the state. DCD will need some of its role players to step up this weekend. That can come from sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy']</strong> on the outside or freshman <strong>Sici Guerrant </strong>on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these offenses can take over a match in the blink of an eye. The difference in this one is going to be defensive play. The liberos and defensive specialists will have to play a big role. While DCD shuffles around its libero, Harper Creek has a lot of confidence in Woodruff and I think she could be the one to decide the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Haper Creek over Country Day in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->