Top Match Ups in the MHSAA Round of 32

<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h5>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code <strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong> for $$ off!</em></h5>   <p>–</p>   <p>Kicking off the regional rounds of the MHSAA tournament and we have ourselves a doozy.</p>   <p>Tonight will feature three showdowns in Division 1 that will feature six of the top ranked teams. No. 1 taking on No. 2, No. 3 taking on No. 6, and No. 4 taking on No. 5... No, this isn't the quarterfinals yet, these match ups are taking place in the THIRD round of the tournament. </p>   <p>While it makes for a great night of volleyball, it also eliminates nearly half of the field of top ranked teams that we should be seeing in the final week of the season. </p>   <p>Take a look at these top ranked match ups and what all they have to entail. The road to Kellogg stops for NO ONE!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Mercy Vs. No. 2 Northville @ Northville, 7 PM</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02133.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-666337" style="width:283px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='537079' first='Kaylyn' last='Tuck'], [player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck']</figcaption></figure>   <p>There is simply no bigger match up tonight then the one going on at Northville HS. The top two teams in Michigan are going head to head in a wayyy too early battle. Both of these teams bring a rich history in recent memory. The Mercy Marlins are charging in, and looking to secure their second consecutive Division 1 title. For Northville, a run to Kellogg Arena will mean a third straight appearance for the Mustangs. Both teams are led by two of biggest names in Michigan volleyball right now in Miss Volleyball nominees, [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] (Nebraska) and [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'] (Illinois State). With a fair match up in just about every position, this one has the potential to go a long way.</p>   <p>Mercy has been pretty undeniable all season long. Their lone losses come from out of state opponents in a prestigious Chicago tournament that brings the best high schools in the country. However, they aren't invincible. Narrowly beating out Rockford in the early goings of the season, Mercy can be challenged. But it is hard to do.</p>   <p>The Marlins feature some of the biggest stars in the high school game currently. Led by Flynn at the setter position, her favorite numbers to call are that of Ella Andrew (Stanford) and Kate Kalcyznski's. The two attackers have become an explosive tandem that not many can defend. With all three firing at peak performance, the Marlins will be a tough egg to crack.</p>   <p>For Northville, they have their own pair of a 1-2 punch in the Reck twins. [player_tooltip player_id='156326' first='Mallory' last='Reck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156325' first='Molly' last='Reck'] have really come into their own this season as some of the state's top point producers. They both have no problem hitting a variety of balls. I've seen one or the other hit from just about every position possible on the court. </p>   <p>Northville, too, is a team with only two losses on the season. The one came at the last regular season match against a scrappy Clarkston squad. A good wake up call for the Mustangs to supercharge a deep run in the tournament? </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h4>   <p>The pendelum can really swing either way in this match up. These two have not seen each other at all during the regular season. They're even split when it comes to talent at the setter position and on the pins. Where Mercy may edge out Northville in the middle department, i'd give the Mustangs the edge in their back court play. </p>   <p>If I were a betting man, I wouldn't be betting on this match. On paper, I think this entire tournament is Mercy's to lose. If anyone on the east side can topple those dreams though, it would be Northville. This one can get lopsided quick too. But with all eyes on the prize, both teams powered on tradition, I am calling this one to go the distance. Mercy over Northville in 5!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No.4 Marian Vs. No. 5 Clarkston @ West Bloomfield, 5 PM</h2>   <p>We got another top five match up in Division 1 and another doozy for a match. If you're looking for a pregame to the big event that'll take place in Northville at 7 pm, this match will be at 5 pm in West Bloomfield. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/DSC03063.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-720491" style="width:260px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt']</figcaption></figure>   <p>The storyline here is fascinating. Much like the Mercy/Northville series, Marian and Clarkston will be going head-to-head for the very first time this season tonight. These two teams carry a lot of tradition behind them, but more importantly carry a lot of history between one another. </p>   <p>Marian is champion of 3 of the last 5 Division 1 tournaments. Meanwhile, Clarkston is 2023 Final Four squad that is looking to make their case back to Kellogg. This postseason match up is not a new thing for either team though. In 2020, Marian would best Clarkston in the Final Four in five sets before winning their first of three straight titles. In 2022, Marian would again best the Wolves in five sets in the Elite 8 before going on to win their third straight title. Do you see a trend here? Tonight could be a doozy.</p>   <p>On Marian's side, the Mustangs are led by Miss Volleyball front-runner, [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'] (Cincinnati). The four year varsity player is having one of her biggest seasons yet, with nearly 600 kills on the season. Busignani started her career with the Mustangs rattling off two of those three titles for Marian. This is the type of player that knows what it takes to get the job done. </p>   <p>Alongside Busignani, Marian features a slew of underclassman that have proved instrumental to the success. [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] have been two big pieces to the puzzle this season. Pelon, only a freshman and starting in the libero jersey, has cemented herself quite comfortably amongst some of the top defenders the state has to offer. Smith, only a sophomore, has stepped her game with huge strides in her offensive prowess on the right side. </p>   <p>On the Clarkston side, they're led by the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'] (Fordham) and [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']. The two have become quite the force to be reckoned with alongside each other. Newblatt has become the go-to six rotation outside with top notch defensive skills. A DS traditionally, Newblatt is known to have one of the heaviest arms in the gym, and she knows when to pull a switch up for a quick point. </p>   <p>Smith, entering her sophomore year, has become one of the state's leading setters. So deceptive and smart with her calls, Smith can manipulate the game so effectively that it keeps Clarkston well within matches. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC02854.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-705745" style="width:272px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Both of these teams have been experiencing interesting seasons. Not as dominate as the likes of Northville and Mercy, but both of which have seemed to be coming into their own at the right part of the season. Marian welcomes the post-season after toppling over Rockford and Jenison in the East Vs. West Challenge in Lowell. Clarkston upset Northville in five sets to end their regular season programming. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h4>   <p>Again, this match could go the way of either team. Hence the little history debrief, both teams are known to take each other down to the wire to decide matches. And both teams seem to be peaking at the perfect time. One has to question, who's peak is higher? </p>   <p>On paper, Marian should have this one. With the wealth of talent on their bench, they could unleash quite a few pieces off the bench when things get tough. This one is going to be a battle though.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 Forest Hills Northern Vs. No. 6 Rockford, @ Jenison, 5 PM</h2>   <p>This is another tough one in Division 1. Where as a slew of titans on the east side will take on each other, two of the biggest names on the west side will come face to face in the regional semifinals. Truth be told, whoever wins this match right here, will most likely be the team we'll see in the Division 1 Championships next weekend. That is how good both of these teams are.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC02922.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-705757" style="width:277px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Coincidentally, this is another top ten match up in where neither team has played each other in the regular season. Forest Hills Northern and Rockford have somehow found a way to avoid each other throughout the fall, and yet, be two of the biggest names in high school volleyball this fall.</p>   <p>Forest Hills Northern comes into this one with a lot of momentum. This program has been inching their way higher and higher up the ladder over the last few years. After a semifinal appearance in 2022, they would go on to narrowly lose in the championship last year. A whole different squad than the previous two seasons, FHN however looks to be much improved with a much more diverse offense. </p>   <p>Leading this Husky pack is S [player_tooltip player_id='226936' first='Lexie' last='Stotenbur']. This is one of the only players that played significant minutes in that run to the championship match from a season ago. No longer the scared sophomore, but Stotenbur has emerged into one of the highest respected setters of her class. She's stepped up her game in terms of running the offense as well as commanding the court. </p>   <p>Some of Stotenbur's favorite numbers to call are that of [player_tooltip player_id='535138' first='Briawna' last='Zimmerman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm']'s. Zimmerman is another one of those main returners from last season that has also seen her stock skyrocket. She's one of the best middle blockers this fall and can take over a match. With her fast twitched natured and ability to place the ball so well, Zimmerman is so effective.</p>   <p>For Loehfelm, this sophomore phenom has really found her footing this fall. A dynamic pin that is developing quite the array of shots from either pin or through the back row attack, Loehfelm has become a staple for FHN's offense.</p>   <p>On Rockford's side, they're equipped with arguably the best outside hitter duo that Michigan has to offer. If its not [player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] (Oakland) tearing teams apart, it is [player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']. A lot of times though, it is both of them tearing teams apart. This duo can combine for upwards of 10+ kills a match more times than not. Given the appeal of the postseason, these two could be a really damaging duo to attempt to control.</p>   <p>Rockford has also begun introducing a new wrinkle into their offense, and that is [player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] in the middle. A player has really seemed to make a difference in the last few weeks, in the district finals against Northview, Visser rattled off 10+ kills which proved vital to the win for the Rams. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC02938.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-705755" style="width:276px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Forest Hills Northern</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h2>   <p>Much like the other two games on this list, this match is one that can go either way. We can see a dominating sweep from either side, or we can see a blow for blow battle right down to the wire. These teams have proved to be the best of the Michigan when they are playing well. They have also proved to be quite head scratching at times when things aren't clicking. With this being the first match up between the two, we don't have much to pull from. </p>   <p>However, looking at how much more balanced the offense is on the FHN side, I have to give the Huskies the slight edge here. I say this goes down in a tight four set match with FHN coming out on top. </p>