2026 D2 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>It's going to be a great week of volleyball with the D2 regionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The brackets have a lot of balance, which should lead to some outstanding matches and some big upsets along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at all eight D2 brackets this week and my pick for the winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 9 at Grayling</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Kingsford vs. No. 7 Kingsley; Big Rapids vs. Ogemaw Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> The 2025 D3 state champs are still playing at a high level in Division 2 and going to be tough to get past. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833201' first='Jenna' last='Middleton']</strong> is a great go-to option, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916035' first='Delaney' last='Case']</strong> is a great complementary option in the middle. Kingsley will be game to try for the upset behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836406' first='Mylee' last='Kreider']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='781348' first='Mckynzee' last='Kreider']</strong>. Big Rapids had to grind out a five-set win over Reed City. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1001522' first='Torrie' last='Tacia']</strong> is definitely a play maker, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817288' first='Nalaya' last='Fricke']</strong> comes through with some timely kills for Big Rapids. Ogemaw Heights has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834072' first='Kendel' last='Morris']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829810' first='Aubrey' last='Evans']</strong> to counter. I look for this to be a tight semifinal matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Kingsley has the championship experience to continue winning. I think it gets past Big Rapids in the regional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 10 at Clio</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Garber vs. No. 5 North Branch; No. 4 Frankenmuth vs. Alma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a pretty solid regional with two top-five teams, an honorable mention squad, and an upset-minded Alma team. Garber has one of the best in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458372' first='Jeana' last='Lenhard']</strong>, but North Branch really plays as a team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888384' first='Allysse' last='Deshetsky']</strong> keeps emerging as one of the best in D2, and young hitters <strong>Sydney Bailey</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043329' first='Kyleigh' last='Wightman']</strong> give the Broncos some options on offense. Frankenmuth has been looking as good as ever in 2026. The Eagles have a great setter leader in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850401' first='Avery' last='Geer']</strong>, as well as a big set of arms in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523870' first='Delaynee' last='Witbeck']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='977222' first='Reegan' last='Klinski']</strong>. Alma will have its hands full with Frankenmuth. <strong>Reese Mueller</strong> will give all she's got to try and push Alma to the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: This is a really tough region to pick. Garber has the potential to win, but has the hardest path. Frankenmuth is playing really well right now, but North Branch as a program has won so many of these big matches, I just can't pick against them. Give me the Broncos to take the regional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 11 at Sparta</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Newaygo vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic; Allendale vs. Fremont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a region with a lot of interesting variables. All four teams swept in their district final and should be playing with a lot of confidence right now. Allendale really looked sharp last week and the duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757853' first='Markie' last='Marsman']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1023762' first='Josie' last='Brose']</strong> will be a handful. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829311' first='Allie' last='Schwieters']</strong> had a strong week for West Catholic last week and I like her to lead her team over Newaygo, but I just feel like Allendale is really clicking right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: I'm going to go with Allendale to win the regional title here, but it's wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 12 at Plainwell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Holland Christian vs. No. 8 Edwardsburg; No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian vs. Plainwell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> There's a lot of talent in this region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='825043' first='Ella' last='Laskowski']</strong> has been leading Edwardsburg all season and the Eddies want to prove they can contend with the best. Holland Christian had a big win over South Christian to get to the regional. The Maroons have a balanced attack on offense that will be a lot to handle. <strong>Ella Terpstra</strong> does a great job of spreading the ball around. Plainwell has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513265' first='Anna' last='Overway']</strong> to try and combat the GRC attack of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon']</strong>, but that may not be enough to upset the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: There will be a lot of high-quality play in Plainwell this week, but I can't pick against GRC. The Eagles have been too impressive all year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 13 at Charlotte</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 3 Parma Western vs. Chelsea; Lansing Catholic vs. Ionia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Parma Wester is on a roll right now. They've got some great finishers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804816' first='Aykina' last='Weatherspoon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831699' first='Ella' last='Wilcox']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741882' first='Georgia' last='Addleman']</strong>. Anyone of them can take over a match. Chelsea has a big win over Tecumseh to advance. <strong>Sloane Steele</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021925' first='Sophia' last='Stanavich']</strong> will be ready for the upset attempt, but Chelsea will have to play its very best. Ionia is familiar with Lansing Catholic. The two split two meetings this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835029' first='Logan' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>Amiya Frias</strong> will be up for the challenge to win the rubber match. Lansing Catholic can counter with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826916' first='Kyra' last='Vukovic']</strong> at the net and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809199' first='Sara' last='Tolfree']</strong> in the back row. It should be a classic semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Parma Western just isn't losing and I don't see one of these teams changing that right now. I will go with Western to beat Lansing Catholic in the regional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 14 at Dearborn Divine Child</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Flat Rock vs. No. 10 Divine Child; Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs. HM Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a really solid region, as it feels like it can go to anyone. Flat Rock made the great run last year, but faces a Divine Child team that is battle tested and playing their best right now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915670' first='Maddy' last='Willis']</strong> does a bit of everything for DC, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915895' first='Isabella' last='Albano']</strong> has been outstanding on defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839917' first='Sarah' last='Giroux']</strong> is going to be tough to contain. She leads Flat Rock along with the setting of <strong>Zoey Ryan</strong>. Gabriel Richard has a chance to prove to everyone it is for real this week. Freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043330' first='Janie' last='Osness']</strong> is playing at an All-State level, while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888979' first='Mia' last='Keefer']</strong> continues to put down the ball at over .500 in big matches. Robichaud is going to have a tough time competing with the Irish in that semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: This is a really tough call. When it's close, I have to go back to experience this time of year and that is what Flat Rock has. It knows it can dig deep to win these pressure-filled matches. While all seem capable in talent, I give the edge to the Rams for experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 15 at Detroit Osborn</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Detroit Edison vs. Richmond; Warren Regina vs. Detroit Aztec Eagles Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Edison and Eagles Academy got through their respective Detroit-heavy districts, but now will have to step up in competition. Richmond has some great hitting options in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn']</strong> that Edison will have a hard time slowing down. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765791' first='Cate' last='Booms']</strong> is powering the Regina offense, while <strong>Ava Culakovski</strong> has the Regina defense playing at a high level. I expect Regina and Richmond to meet in Thursday's final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Richmond has managed to take all of its sets against Regina this season, so I will go with the Blue Devils to claim the championship this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 16 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 6 Lutheran North vs. Ferndale; No. 2 Detroit Country Day vs. Linden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Ferndale was able to grab a district title at home, but it's a big step up in competition going against Lutheran North this week. The Mustangs had five different players with at least 10 kills in their district final win over Notre Dame Prep. That's a credit to the setting of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006072' first='Juliette' last='Godwin']</strong> and <strong>Eleanore Martin</strong>. Country Day comes in as the two-time defending state champs. Linden will have its hands full against one of the best setters in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff']</strong>. She's got a pair of senior middles that can be a real problem in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Lutheran North and Country Day is a big-time matchup in Division 2. The Mustangs are eager for the opportunity, but having the championship experience that DCD does should be enough to propel it to the regional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->