2025 D1 Quarterfinals Breakdown And Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Pontiac on Dec. 21 for all interested 2026-2029 prospects following the 2025 fall season. It's a great opportunity to capitalize off the fall season and a great way to start the club year by being seen by scouts and colleges around the US.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register"><strong><em>Click here to register</em></strong></a><em>, and use promo code&nbsp;<strong>“EllisPD25”</strong>&nbsp;to get $10 off your registration.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 MHSAA postseason is already down to the final week of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight teams remain in each division, and in Division 1 there are a lot of big powerhouses still on the hunt for a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at Tuesday's D1 quarterfinal pairings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q1: No. 1 Rockford vs. Traverse City Central at Ferris State</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams have not had an easy path to finals week. The top-ranked team has had to defeat No. 8 Lowell, No. 9 Hudsonville, and No. 5 Forest Hills Northern. Not only did Rockford win, but it swept all three. That makes Tuesday a tough task for TC Central, which bested Cadillac and Davison last week. TC Central has two big arms that can compete with anyone in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454377' first='Erica' last='Heffner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='400074' first='Sable' last='Dankers']</strong>, while libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490342' first='Sidney' last='Richmond'] </strong>is a dig machine. She will be tested by Rockford's 1-2 punch on the outside of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>knows where to get them the ball and keep defenses on their toes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Rockford over TC Central in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q2: Byron Center vs. Ann Arbor Skyline at Gull Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byron Center has been flirting with the D1 rankings all season and looking to break through for a spot in Battle Creek. Skyline seems to find their way into the mix each year and is now just a win away from returning to Kellogg Arena. Skyline is getting solid kill production from the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806793' first='Mina' last='Reichert']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828549' first='Audrey' last='Walters']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807204' first='Ryann' last='Brooks']</strong>. Byron Center has one of the top balanced players in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong>, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809922' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'] </strong>is also a handful along the net. This match should be very competitive and likely to come down to some key defensive plays, where I believe Byron Center has the advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Byron Center over Skyline in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q3: Trenton vs. No. 3 Mercy at Hartland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third-ranked Marlins have looked really polished this postseason, sweeping all of their competition. That includes South Lyon and Orchard Lake St. Mary's. Trenton has had more of a fight to get to this point, going to four sets with Cass Tech and Allen Park. These two met early in the season with Mercy handling business, but Trenton will bring the fight behind hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836131' first='Mia' last='Hyde'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813612' first='Grace' last='Wend']</strong>. They also have a veteran setter in <strong>Kassidy Korndorfer</strong>. The offense will have to shine to compete against the Marlins depth. Mercy can hit you from a lot of angles behind towering middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews']</strong>, as well as explosive outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier']</strong>. Freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='709559' first='Kaelyn' last='Easton'] </strong>is also already one of the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Mercy over Trenton in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q4: No. 2 Bloomfield Hills vs. Oxford at St. Clair County CC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is new territory for both teams as they seek an appearance in Battle Creek. Oxford won its first regional title since 1997 while Bloomfield Hills has never reached a semifinal. The Wildcats have been a great story with wins over Clarkston and Romeo during this run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442971' first='Brenna' last='Mirovsky'] </strong>is a real force with her attacks and defensive play. She embodies the spirit that Oxford is playing with right now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='799350' first='Tara' last='Swanson'] </strong>is also a gritty defender that has helped keep the Wildcats in a lot of tight points. They will both need to step up against this explosive Bloomfield Hills offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] </strong>can single-handedly take over a match at any point, but the Black Hawks also have <strong>Alliston Stakoe</strong> on the pin, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox']</strong> is an outstanding setter that has been able to develop some young middles as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Bloomfield Hills over Oxford in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->