2025 D1 State Semifinals 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 Division 1 state semifinals are always a great showcase of the very best the state of Michigan has to offer in terms of volleyball talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, the two matchups in Battle Creek feature the three top-ranked teams in the state and one program looking to play spoiler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at Thursday's two semifinal matchups</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 3 Mercy vs. Byron Center, 4:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marlins return to Kellogg Arena looking to reclaim the championship from 2023. Standing in their way is a Byron Center program that won its first regional championship since 1993 last week. These two met on Oct. 25, splitting a pair of sets with Byron Center winning the opener 25-19, while Mercy answered with a 25-12 victory. The Marlins seem to have more hitting balance right now than it did weeks ago with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226899' first='Cree' last='Hollier'] </strong>coming on as a potent outside to match <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442987' first='Kate' last='Kalczynski']</strong> on the pins. Mercy also has two of the most formidable middles in the state with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226875' first='Ella' last='Andrews'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569766' first='McKenzie' last='Andrews']</strong>. Byron Center is a very strong defensive team and that will need to continue on Thursday. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson'] </strong>is an outstanding six-rotation outside that is impactful with her defensive play as she is on the attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'] </strong>has shown a lot of promise as a sophomore libero as well to help lead that Byron Center defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809922' first='Cara' last='Crittendon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830699' first='Caitlin' last='Hartson']</strong> are also capable arms for the Bulldog attack. They will have to be on their game to keep pace with this relentless Mercy attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Mercy over Byron Center in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 2 Bloomfield Hills vs. No. 1 Rockford, 6:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday night closes out with as big of a bill as you can ask for, 1 vs. 2 in Division 1. The Black Hawks are making their first semifinal appearance in the history of the young program, while Rockford is vying for its first championship since 2011. These two have been at the top of the D1 rankings most of the year and feature some of the most explosive players in the state. Rockford brings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467901' first='Mallory' last='Wandel'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226900' first='Liv' last='Hosford'] </strong>has two dominant outside hitters with a lot of defensive range, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226887' first='Izzie' last='Delacher'] </strong>has been great at delivering them the ball. For Bloomfield Hills, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226909' first='Kayla' last='Nwabueze'] </strong>is as talented as they come and she is going to hit the ball harder than anyone this weekend. Teams key in on her, but she can single-handedly push the Black Hawks to success. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']</strong> has come through in some big moments on the outside as well, while setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512892' first='Brynn' last='Wilcox'] </strong>has made a lot of big leaps forward in her game. The key to this one could come down to middle play. The Black Hawks have developed a pair of freshmen that keep improving, while Rockford has a little more veteran experience at the position. Rockford has also had a gauntlet to get through to make the semifinals. That should have it ready for what Bloomfield Hills may bring, but the Rams can't let Nwabueze find that next gear during the match, or it could be a long night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Rockford over Bloomfield Hills in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->