2025 D4 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 time has arrived!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have reached state finals weekend in Battle Creek with four teams remaining in each division, all vying for the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend is going to be stacked with great play, but there may not be a division more intriguing than the one that will kick off everything, Division 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday's two matchups are worthy of the stage and should be great action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 2 Fowler vs. No. 5 Crystal Falls Forest Park, Noon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fowler has been on a great run to get to Battle Creek, besting MP Sacred Heart in a regional final before dispatching Traverse City Christian on Tuesday. The Eagles draw Forest Park, which has just one loss on the season and handled a tough Atlanta team on Tuesday. This is going to be a great matchup of two top outsides as Fowler's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836790' first='Paige' last='Thelen'] </strong>battles Forest Park's <strong>Ava Fischer</strong>. Both players have been in lead roles for years and are going to be playing with 100% determination to carry their team to Saturday. Where Forest Park could be looking to strike is with middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523257' first='Alliyah' last='Hagemeister']</strong>, who has been a high-percentage finisher. That puts the pressure on Fowler libero <strong>Rachel Wirth</strong> to continue to play at a high level, but that is nothing new for her. Wirth has faced a lot of top hitters from Division 3 and Division 4 this season and handled the pressure very well. This matchup feels like a real coin toss, as each program has been scratching to get a title opportunity for years and feel like this is their best chance to do so. Expect a lot of great rallies and a lot of drama down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Fowler over Forest Park in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 3 Ubly vs. No. 1 Mendon, 2 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-ranked Mendon draws No. 3 Mendon in the second semifinal. The Bearcats are coming off a hard-fought quarterfinal against Inter-City Baptist that went five sets after Ubly took the opening two. Mendon got past Hillsdale Academy in a sweep, showing it's continued dominance during the postseason. The Hornets controlled the match throughout and used their balance of offensive and defensive precision to advance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732270' first='Cienna' last='Nightingale']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464695' first='Gracie' last='Schultz'] </strong>provide great options at the net and will have a say in this match for sure. Look out for freshman <strong>Lashell Blair</strong> as well, who has come through with some big kills and blocks. Ubly will look to counter with its own offensive firepower. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611100' first='Waverly' last='Hagen'] </strong>towers at the net, standing 6'1” with a really long reach. When she taps into another gear, she is a very disruptive player that Mendon will have to be prepared for. <strong>Alania Donnellon, [player_tooltip player_id='724836' first='Addison' last='Weber'], </strong>and <strong>Brooke Badger </strong>also have the ability to step up on offense and can take pressure off Hagen. This match could come down to the team that is able to dig the ball up more. Mendon has to like its chances with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson']</strong> as an elite defender. However, Ubly senior <strong>Suzanne Smigielski</strong> is a gritty defender as well. She plays with a lot of intensity and won't go down without a fight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Mendon over Ubly in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->