D2 Quarterfinal Key Matchups & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 2 quarterfinals have a lot of great stories heading into Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the defending champ is still alive, there are many programs looking to make a big splash and find their way to Battle Creek for the first time in a long time, or ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the four D2 matchup sand players that could shape the outcome of each contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 5: Garber vs. Fruitport</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup features Garber, which is coming off its first regional championship, and Fruitport, which won its first regional since 2017. The Trojans were able to outlast St. John's, largely thanks to its serving. Fruitport had 13 aces in the regional final, with four coming from outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156300' first='Sadie' last='Haase']</strong>. She's been putting the ball away at a high rate all season, both from the service line and at the net. Haase has over 500 kills and over 100 aces. Her play will be matched by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard'] </strong>of Garber, who is coming off a legendary showing in the regional final. She had 47 kills in a four-set win over Kingsley. It's the most kills in MHSAA history in a four-set match. Lenhard has been the driving force of Garber's offense and this week gives sophomore a chance to really put herself on the map with the spotlight on. If Lenhard gets hot, it is going to be tough for Fruitport to have an answer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Garber over Fruitport in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 6: South Christian vs. Harper Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Christian made a big splash last week when it bested top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian in five sets to win the regional title. Now it draws Harper Creek, which had been ranked No. 1 most of the regular season. Both are battle-tested teams that shouldn't get rattled if they hit a bit of a speed bump during the match. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472798' first='Cassidy' last='Pratley'] </strong>has been one of the most dominant hitters in the state this year, as she's hitting .400 for Harper Creek with nearly 600 kills. While SC will focus on her, sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493481' first='Camille' last='Robinson']</strong> could be the difference-maker for the Beavers. She's also an explosive hitter and if she can help take the pressure off Pratley, it would go a long way to help Harper Creek. Up against a prolific hitting duo, South Christian will need a big outing from libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487149' first='Olivia' last='Inthout']</strong>. She came up big with 23 digs in the win over GRC. If she can come through with some tough digs and help get the ball to the Sailors' power arm, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226876' first='Finley' last='Arp']</strong>, South Christian may take down another top team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Harper Creek over South Christian in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 7: Tecumseh vs. Divine Child</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Divine Child is looking to punch its second trip to Battle Creek in three years, while Tecumseh is making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2011. The Indians bested Parma Western in four sets to win the regional crown and one of the key contributors was 6'2” senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='721446' first='Alli' last='Zajac']</strong>. She had 12 kills and six blocks, impacting play in both phases of the match. Her size forces teams to have to focus on where she's at at all times and how they can get clean looks on offense. Divine Child has experience against bigger opponents, as its CHSL schedule has forced it to play some of the best opposition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan'] </strong>has been a great on-court leader at setter. She's moving the ball around offensively and that will be key to avoid Zajac's length on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Tecumseh over Divine Child in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 8: North Branch vs. Detroit Country Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite graduating nearly its entire starting lineup, the Broncos find themselves a win away from another trip to Battle Creek. They draw Country Day, a program that's been knocking on the door of a Kellogg Arena appearance for years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] </strong>is one of the top middles in the nation, let alone the state. However, it is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446702' first='Elise' last='Hiemstra'] </strong>that is a great compliment on the outside to give DCD a real 1-2 punch at the net. The two combined for 30 of the team's 38 kills in the regional final over Richmond. There's no secret about North Branch's attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</strong> has been a machine all season with over 900 kills while hitting nearly .300. She will get her points, but the Broncos have always built their success on being technically sound and making few errors. That has continued this year behind libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732246' first='Ella' last='Swoish']</strong>. She's at nearly 600 digs on the season and has been among the best in the state at her position. North Branch will need her to be on her game to combat the athletic Yellowjacket attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Country Day over North Branch in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->