2026 D1 Regionals Breakdown and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects.</em> <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a> <em>now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thrilling week of district play has concluded, but now the heat really turns up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regional tournaments will what separate the contenders from the pretenders and we will also get to see some of the best teams in the state collide, especially in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at all eight D1 regionals and what I expect to happen with each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 1 at Midland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Petoskey vs. Midland Dow; Bay City Western vs. Davison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> The top D1 program in the north will be decided in this region. Midland Dow has had a strong season and should be confident it can prevail this week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845232' first='Avery' last='Bailey']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009770' first='Waverly' last='Diegel']</strong> are a great 1-2 punch at the net for the Chargers. Dow has already picked up multiple wins over Petoskey this season and has the game plan to prevail once again. Davison has one of the top liberos in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves']</strong>, but also has an explosive sophomore middle in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1003243' first='Ayla' last='Phelps']</strong> that could be a difference-maker this week. I like the Cardinals to best Western, then it will be a big SVL clash for the regional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Dow and Davison split a pair of meetings this year, but the Chargers seem to be playing at another level right now. I like them being closer to home and having a pair of big-time hitters to utilize at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 2 at Lake Orion</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 3 South Lyon East vs. No. 6 Clarkston; HM Bloomfield Hills vs. HM Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a really solid region that any of the four teams can win. The first match is worthy of Kellogg Arena on paper. South Lyon East has been playing its best volleyball as of late and have arguably the top outside in the state in sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587564' first='Lexi' last='Coleman']</strong>. Clarkston will try to counter with its defensive play in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith']</strong> and offensive control through <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong>. If the Wolves can extend rallies, it can come away with this one. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442967' first='Addison' last='Stepp']</strong> is the player to watch in this matchup to help East try to advance. Bloomfield Hills is going to be hard to eliminate, as the Black Hawks are very resilient. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584598' first='Allison' last='Stakoe']</strong> can go toe-to-toe with anyone, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='768151' first='Emily' last='Nwabueze']</strong> is quickly turning into the most explosive middle in the state. She's got a great matchup with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442976' first='Cynthia' last='Ockerman']</strong> of Brighton. There should be some impressive swings taking place in that match. The Black Hawks bested Brighton early in the year, but I think Bloomfield Hills is playing at an even higher level right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: East vs. Clarkston is a great matchup of styles, but the Cougars have amped up their defensive play and blocking, with gives them the edge in my mind. Bloomfield Hills is going to take anyone to deep waters and I think it tops Brighton, but I like East to come away with the hardware this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 3 at West Ottawa</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 8 Hudsonville vs. Rockford; HM East Grand Rapids vs. No. 10 Grand Haven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a stacked region with four teams all capable of winning the title. Hudsonville has had Rockford's number this year. No surprise that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass']</strong> was a real problem for the Rams, as she's been for everyone. But, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846051' first='Nora' last='Vanderweele']</strong> was also a big factor in those wins. The Rams have already upset some top teams in Lowell and Forest Hills Northern. It's clear the tough schedule Rockford played has it ready for postseason play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897539' first='Haley' last='Armock']</strong> could be they key to slow down the Hudsonville attack. Grand Haven has one of the very best hitters in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462086' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek']</strong> and she can propel the Bucs past a game EGR squad that has great defensive play out of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800551' first='Rylee' last='Stanley-Eldred']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Hudsonville has had good success against the rest of this bracket. It won't be easy, but I like the Eagles to top Grand Haven in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 4 at Gull Lake</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 4 Byron Center vs. DeWitt; HM Battle Creek Lakeview vs. Portage Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Byron Center has the experience of last year's run, along with the motivation to finish the job this year driving it to some stellar play over the last month. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong> is definitely a Player of the Year candidate as she does a bit of everything, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield']</strong> are two huge junior contributors. DeWitt will have its hands full trying to slow down the Bulldogs. BC Lakeview is rolling right now behind the hitting of sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='775991' first='Sydney' last='Manning']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='965713' first='Lanie' last='Overbeek']</strong>. The Spartans own a five-set win over Portage Central earlier this year and may need to do it again. Central dug deep to get past Mattawan and will play with a lot of resiliency behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490373' first='Kate' last='Colosky']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='782946' first='Catie' last='Jilek']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Byron Center is just playing too well to not go with them to win the regional. Lakeview and Portage Central should be a classic, but I see the Bulldogs have the edge over either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 5 at Northville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Saline vs. Northville; Belleville vs. Okemos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Saline and Northville are no strangers to each other and just a few years removed from one of the best D1 state semifinals ever. They met four times this season and each team won twice, so this semifinal feels like a coin toss. It might come down to which team can commit the fewest unforced errors. Both teams are able to utilize a lot of hitters, so the player that gets the hot hand may propel them to a big win. Okemos is coming off a big win over rival Mason to get to the regional. Middle <strong>Zoey Taylor</strong> could be a difference-marker this week if the Wolves are going to advance. I think she will be a problem or a Belleville team that had to dig deep to top Lincoln in five sets. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Northville gets the home court this week. When you're up against such an evenly-matched opponent, that pushes the Mustangs ahead in my eyes. I like Northville to edge Saline, then get past a game Okemos team in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 6 at Lincoln Park</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Wyandotte Roosevelt vs. Cass Tech; Dearborn vs. Temperance Bedford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a big opportunity for all four teams to come away with a regional championship. Roosevelt pulled out a thrilling five-set win over Southgate Anderson in the district final and should be able to rely on that when it gets into any adversity against Cass Tech. Dearborn has been piling up wins as of late, but runs into a battle-tested Bedford team that has one of the best defenders in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454376' first='Blair' last='Russow']</strong>. Her ability to keep the ball off the floor should give the Mules the advantage this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Bedford has pushed itself against some top teams in D1 and that experience gives them the edge to the title in this bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 7 at Marian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 2 Marian vs. Grosse Pointe South; Detroit Renaissance vs. No. 1 Mercy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> It's unfortunate to see No. 1 and No. 2 be paired up this week, but that's often the case with Marian and Mercy. With all due respect to GP South and Renaissance, it seems like the two CHSL rivals are set to collide again this week for a regional crown. Each owns a win over the other this year and the two are very evenly matched around the court. In Marian's win in the CHSL final, the Mustangs really were disruptive at the net on defense and didn't allow the Marlins to hit a high percentage. That will be key this time around. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson']</strong> each hit over .300. If that happens again, it could be the Mustangs night. Freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='984451' first='Cate' last='Verkeyn']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009098' first='Laura' last='Aubrey']</strong> will have to play like upperclassmen for the Marlins in this high-pressure match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Marian has the home court and a lot of motivation. I can't help but side with the Mustangs in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 8 at Stoney Creek</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Troy Athens vs. No. 9 Romeo; Dakota vs. Stoney Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> I don't know that there is a hotter team in the state than Romeo. The Bulldogs really are playing at a peak level that coaches aspire to get to each postseason. Their five-set win over Eisenhower last week is the latest big win it has pulled off. The powerful offense led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj']</strong> should keep rolling against Troy Athens. Stoney Creek and Dakota features some explosive outsides as well in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='895702' first='Iceiss' last='Morrison']</strong>, but the Cougars have the home-court edge. The question is can the Cougars avenge a previous loss to Romeo given how strong the Bulldogs are playing right now?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Stoney Creek can match Romeo in terms of firepower, but the Bulldogs just have all aspects clicking right now. I like Romeo to get the hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->