D2 Quarterfinals: What To Watch For

<!-- 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>We've reached finals week of the 2026 prep volleyball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Tuesday, four quarterfinal matchups will take place across all four divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division 2, there's four outstanding matchups that will showcase some of the best talents in the state overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at each of the quarterfinal pairings for D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 5: No. 5 North Branch vs. No. 7 Kingsley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Shepherd High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for North Branch:</strong> The Broncos are doing what they do this time of year, win! North Branch topped fourth-ranked Frankenmuth in the regional final and now draw last year's D3 champ. North Branch plays together and plays technically sound volleyball behind great passers in <strong>Haley Henry, [player_tooltip player_id='1043329' first='Kyleigh' last='Wightman']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888384' first='Allysse' last='Deshetsky']</strong>. Deshetsky is also the go-to hitter that can pound the ball, but Wightman, <strong>Sydney Bailey</strong> and <strong>Kylnee VanHorn</strong> are also making big contributions at the net. <strong>Kylie Doherty</strong> is the senior setter that puts it altogether with her experience and poise and has North Branch playing its best volleyball right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Kinglsey:</strong> The Stags haven't show any missteps in making the move from Division 3 to Division 2 this year. They still look as good as ever and are coming off a sweep of Ogemaw Heights in the regional final. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833201' first='Jenna' last='Middleton']</strong> has shown she will put this team on her back and carry them to victory if need be. North Branch is going to have a hard time limiting this senior outside and certainly won't be able to break her spirit. <strong>Aizlyn McKinley</strong> is a capable senior outside as well, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916035' first='Delaney' last='Case']</strong> is a senior middle that gives Kingsley a veteran and formidable attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908450' first='Ariyah' last='McKinley']</strong> is a sophomore defender that has experience in the title run last year as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Kingsley defense vs. North Branch attack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> This should be a great match where both teams will have to dig deep and play through some adversity. Kingsley has shown it can do that from its title run, but its also just engrained in the North Branch program. The Broncos know how to win this time of year and I like them to win a five-set classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 6: No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian vs. Allendale</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Grandville High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Grand Rapids Christian:</strong> GRC has been firmly in the top spot in Division 2 throughout the year and a sweep of Holland Christian certainly hasn't changed that. The Eagles have as much talent as anyone around the court with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong> being one of the top outsides in the state and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='881552' first='Mya' last='McKinnon']</strong> as a potent middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490372' first='Piper' last='Cebulski']</strong> is also a dual threat that is an elite prospect as a setter and a hitter, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='742026' first='Rylee' last='Anderson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523841' first='Taylor' last='Frost']</strong> also provide boosts in all phases. Then, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809442' first='Zoey' last='Klunder']</strong> has been outstanding in the back row and a real unsung hero for GRC's run this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Allendale:</strong> Allendale will come out swinging and ready to give GRC all it can handle. The Falcons have an experienced roster with a lot of options at the net. Sophomore setter <strong>Ana Vliestra</strong> is spreading out the ball well and getting great swings out of senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757853' first='Markie' last='Marsman']</strong>, senior middle <strong>Grace Kragt,</strong> senior middle <strong>Sophia Vanhuizen</strong>, and sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1023762' first='Josie' last='Brose']</strong>. <strong>Ellery Hadden</strong>, the junior libero, will have her hands full trying to dig up GRC, but she's definitely determined to make the Eagles earn their points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Allendale hitting vs. GRC blocking</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Allendale is going to have to take advantage of any opportunity it gets to put the ball away. GRC will come at it fast and furious. If the Falcons can have success early, they may be able to take the match deep. But, I think the Eagles will be a bit to overwhelming and come away with a win in three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 7: No. 3 Parma Western vs. No. 10 Dearborn Divine Child</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Ypsilanti Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Parma Western:</strong> The Panthers are definitely a team flying a bit under the radar despite being ranked No. 3 with No. 1 being on top all year and No. 2 being the two-time defending champs. The Panthers are playing with a chip on their shoulder and it showed in a sweep of Ionia in the regional final. Western has an offense that can compete with anyone behind hitting from <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>, while <strong>Madisyn Redovich</strong> sets up the hitters. Sophomore <strong>Ryleigh Maurer</strong> has stepped up at libero as well to make the Panthers well-rounded around the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Divine Child:</strong> Divine Child had a thrilling five-set win over Gabriel Richard in the regional final, so the Falcons know they can dig deep to prevail. Defense has been a big strength for DC, led by senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915895' first='Isabella' last='Albano']</strong>. She can keep the ball off the floor and allow this Falcon offense to attack with its array of offensive weapons like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915670' first='Maddy' last='Willis']</strong>, <strong>Amelia Mastrogiacomo</strong>, <strong>Kaitlyn Hansen</strong>, <strong>Eliza Szczypka-Klein</strong> and <strong>Ayla Szokola</strong>. Team unity and technically solid volleyball has been the strength of this team and Divine Child will need to continue to play that way to beat Parma Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Divine Child blocking vs. Parma Western hitting</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Western has some size and power that Divine Child is going to have to slow down to help Albano and the defense. I think the Panthers will be able to keep their foot on the gas in that way, allowing them to eventually tire out the Falcons for a four-set win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 8: No. 2 Country Day vs. Richmond</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> St. Clair County Community College</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Country Day:</strong> The Yellowjackets got a real scare in the regional semifinal with Linden, but then steamrolled No. 6 Lutheran North in the regional final. DCD is still very experienced at postseason success with back-to-back state titles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff']</strong> is the calm leader on the court at setter and one of the very best to do it in this state. She had DCD hitting over .300 in the regional final with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450415' first='Leah' last='Green']</strong> dominant in the middle and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='584627' first='Shalamar' last='Guerrant']</strong> hitting over .300 on the outside. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko']</strong> and <strong>Cornelia Freidrich</strong> are also capable of getting on a roll at the net at any moment. The defensive play is a team effort, so Richmond can't focus in on avoiding a particular passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Richmond:</strong> The Blue Devils got past Regina in four sets to claim the regional title. This is a big opportunity for Richmond and it should come in feeling like it has nothing to lose this week. The Blue Devils have some real firepower at the net in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454366' first='Jordyn' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454393' first='Ryley' last='Pastuschyn']</strong>, a pair of explosive senior outsides. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='579164' first='Ava' last='Rewalt']</strong> is also a player Richmond has been able to rely on in big matches and could be a difference maker in this one. <strong>Courtney Moore</strong> is getting these hitters the ball in a good place and will need to be on her game to keep pace with DCD's attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021919' first='Sophia' last='Jackson']</strong> has had a strong year at libero. The more she can keep Richmond in long rallies, the better chance it has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Richmond blocking vs. DCD hitting</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Richmond is going to have to find ways to extend points and slow down DCD attacks, otherwise the Yellowjackets are going to be hard to stop. Either way, DCD has the experience this time of year that Richmond doesn't and I expect that to propel the Jackets to a 4-set victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->