D1 Quarterfinal Key Matchups & Predictions

Finals week is here.   A great week of volleyball gets kicked off on Tuesday with the state quarterfinals around the state.   In D1, four great matchups will determine who reached Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.   Here's a closer look at the four matchups and which players will be key to their team's success.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal 1: Traverse City Central vs. Rockford</h2>   Rockford had an impressive regional, beating Forest Hills Northern and Jenison to reach the quarterfinal. Now it faces a TC Central program that won its first regional title last week. The Rams own a win over TC Central from earlier in the season. In that victory, Rockford hit .367 as a team. In that win, Rockford didn't have [player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] in the fold. Returning from injury, Visser has given the Rams another explosive option at the net. The senior has 30 kills over her last three matches, hitting over .400 in all three contests. With outsides [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] getting a lot of attention, Visser has taken advantage and been dominant for Rockford. TC Central will look to combat with senior [player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner']. She had 29 kills in the regional final win over Flushing and has been one of the top hitters in the state throughout the season. She will need to be at her best to help combat the trio of Rockford arms.   Prediction: Rockford over TC Central in 4   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal 2: Battle Creek Lakeview vs. Fenton</h2>   Fenton is in its first quarterfinal since 2016. The Tigers have a well-balanced team and can rely on two key leadership positions for their success. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='226907' first='Eva' last='Long'] is among the best in Michigan at her position. She's very poised and in control, and works the ball around well to her deep roster of hitters. In order to do her job, she gets great play out of libero Lexi Maynor. Maynor has put together a strong season in the back row and is doing her part to keep the offense in-system. Both will be key on Tuesday against Lakeview team that is making its first quarterfinal appearance in over 20 years. The Spartans are playing with a big chip on their shoulder and feel like they have nothing to lose this week, which makes them dangerous. Like Fenton, Lakeview has a good mixture of offense and defense, particularly from their outsides [player_tooltip player_id='482160' first='Livi' last='Overbeek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288964' first='Anya' last='Rankin']. Both players excel whether they are on the attack, or on the defense. They combined for 20 kills and 29 digs in the regional final win over Portage Northern. This matchup is likely to come down to serve receive and defense. Which team can extend points?   Prediction: Fenton over Lakeview in 4   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal 3: Northville vs. Bedford</h2>   Coming off the major win over No. 1 Mercy last week, the Mustangs seem to be the team to beat in D1. But, that pressure can be tough to carry. On Tuesday it takes on a Bedford team loaded with size and talent. The Kicking Mules won their first regional in seven years last week while also getting back Indiana-bound middle [player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray']. The 6'2” middle is a difference-maker with her powerful attack and her blocking ability. She will prove to be a great challenge for the Mustangs, who work a balanced attack on the outside. The Mustangs lost one of their top hitters, [player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'], to an injury in the win against Mercy. Her momentum-swinging kills will be missed. Northville will look to [player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'] to step up. The junior outside has been a steady contributor to compliment [player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] on the outside. If Tuck can help make up for the loss of Marteen with a step up in play, Northville should be just fine this week. The Mustangs have a lot of big-match experience to rely on as well, while this is new territory for Bedford.   Prediction: Northville over Bedford in 4   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal 4: Marian vs. Eisenhower</h2>   These two met twice during the season with Eisenhower getting a 2-0 and 2-1 win over the Mustangs. The key to victory for Ike in the wins were they spread the ball out well and hit at a high level. That speaks to the play of sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='454358' first='Lily' last='Tripi']. She had the Eagles hitting .424 in the first meeting with Marian and .275 in the second. Tripi has some great hitters to work with, but her pacing and decision-making plays a big role in the team's success. Marian has been without outside Calli LeFevre for the last month, but coach Mayssa Cook was hopeful the sophomore may return on Tuesday. She had 14 kills over the two meetings with Eisenhower. Without her in the lineup, it puts more pressure on senior [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] to finish points. The more balance and options the Mustangs have, the better.   Prediction: Eisenhower over Marian in 5

Finals week is here.