2024 D4 Semifinals: Key Players & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 MHSAA finals weekend gets started on Thursday when the D4 semifinals take place at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchups feature recent champions against first-time semifinalists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at both matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 1 Everest Collegiate vs. Hancock – Noon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston Everest Collegiate was the Cinderella story a year ago, coming back from down two sets in both the semifinal and the final to claim the state title. Now, after returning nearly its entire roster, the Mountaineers have been the juggernaut in D4 in 2024. Hancock looks to play spoiler to a chance at a repeat title. The Bulldogs are making their first semifinal appearance after a sweep of Atlanta on Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this matchup, it will be key for Hancock to be able to start strong. The sooner Everest Collegiate creates momentum, the harder it will be for the Bulldogs to stop. CEC can be relentless with its power three hitters of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann'] </strong>and <strong>Addison Pearce</strong>. <strong>Erica Walker </strong>does a great job of spreading the ball out to each of them, especially since she's still relatively young in her experience at the position. If that's not enough, the team has a veteran libero in <strong>Samantha Pietras</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hancock looks like it can be competitive from an athletic standpoint. The Bulldogs have a good array of talent on the court that move really well. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732226' first='Brooke' last='Koskela'] </strong>has been the main offensive weapon on the outside, but she's got the compliment of senior RS <strong>Sadie Biekkola </strong>and senior middle <strong>Reese Driscoll</strong> to give Hancock a lot of ways to beat you. Senior setter <strong>Emily Lesperance </strong>plays a nice ball to give all three a chance to succeed, while senior libero <strong>Sofie Freeman</strong> is always locked in to make a key dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hancock has the veteran team to pose a challenge to Everest Collegiate, but a first-time appearance in Battle Creek can play a factor. It's a big stage that can be overwhelming. CEC almost got swallowed up in it last year, but snapped into place at the right time. In reality, the Mountaineers were probably a team that was “a year away” but showed tremendous heart to win the title early. This year, it's hard to see Hancock being able to stop them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Everest Collegiate over Hancock in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 2 MP Sacred Heart vs. No. 8 Our Lady of the Lake – 2 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart has been one of the most successful D4 programs in the last handful of years. It is making its third semifinal appearance in four seasons. The Irish face a St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake team that is making its first semifinal appearance, and doing so with an interesting roster makeup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakers are made up of just seven players, but two of them are eighth graders. The remaining five are seniors. It's an impressive story for OLL to get here, but they aren't happy to just be making an appearance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723141' first='Nora' last='Proos'] </strong>has been the team leader for the past few years. She's a dynamic outside that is strong defensively as she is offensively. She put down 26 kills on Tuesday night in a five-set win over Concord. <strong>Jojo Marsh </strong>and <strong>Rachel Kalamaros </strong>are fellow seniors that can also put the ball down for OLL. Fellow senior <strong>Aislin Sargent</strong> runs the offense at setter and brings a wealth of experience and composure to the floor. Each of the seniors do their part to lead the defensive effort along, joining senior <strong>Ellie Howard</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Irish aren't a team that you can pinpoint one player to focus on, which will be the challenge for Our Lady of the Lake. Senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595955' first='Sophie' last='Hauck'] </strong>has done a great job of keeping teams guessing and finding the hot hitter on the court. She will do her best to leave the Lakers on their heels. Hauck can also be a threat to score if she's not getting it to veteran hitters like senior outside <strong>Chelsea Lynch </strong>or senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='610342' first='Erin' last='Judge']</strong>. Junior libero <strong>Isabell Rookard </strong>is a capable defender to keep her team in-system, and sophomore outside <strong>Karis Terwilliger</strong> is picking up her game in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing the Irish also do well is serving. They make things tough for serve receive, which will be a challenge for OLL on Friday. The Irish will be able to push this game deep and not bat an eye. With a small roster, it will be tough for the Lakers to keep pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Sacred Heart over Our Lady of the Lake in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->