Who To Watch In The D1 Quarterfinals

<!-- 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>Let's start with Division 1, where we've got some great matchups following a thrilling week of regional play. Here's a closer look at all four quarterfinals and the players to watch out for in the contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 1: No. 6 Clarkston vs. Davison</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Flushing High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Clarkston:</strong> The Wolves are really peaking right now. They overwhelmed third-ranked South Lyon East and then bested Bloomfield Hills in two regional sweeps. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith']</strong> is definitely playing on another level at setter right now. She's getting big swings out of everyone on the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442985' first='Josie' last='Seets']</strong> is looking as strong as she's ever been on the outside, and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1041730' first='Reagan' last='Minto']</strong> keeps taking strides in her play. Mix in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809036' first='Maya' last='Kuebler']</strong> on the outside and <strong>Kaylnn Johnson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1002514' first='Lily' last='Partchenko']</strong> in the middle, and the Wolves are going to keep coming at you from all angles. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='757121' first='Stella' last='Smith']</strong> and Kuebler are excellent at keeping the ball off the floor and keeping this offense in-system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Davison:</strong> Davison picked up a huge win over Midland Dow in three sets to win the regional in a SVL rivalry match. Davison has a tall task to slow down Clarkston, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves']</strong> is as good of a defender as you can find and will give the Cardinals a real chance with her play. Offensively, Davison is also balanced with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1003243' first='Ayla' last='Phelps']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830937' first='Caroline' last='Jenkins']</strong> each recording a dozen kills against Dow, while <strong>Landry Spiewak</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='727964' first='Ellie' last='Titsworth']</strong> have stepped up throughout the season. <strong>Berklee Stimson</strong> and <strong>Daphne Darling</strong> run the offense well and they will need to find ways to get these hitters good looks on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Davison hitters vs. Clarkston defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> The Wolves won a four-set battle with Davison earlier this season. Clarkston had a big outing from Seets then, but now have even more consistent finishers. Both defenses should extend points, but the Wolves seem to have more ways to finish right now, so I give them the edge to win in four sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 2: No. 4 Byron Center vs. No. 8 Hudsonville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Grandville High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Byron Center:</strong> The Bulldogs dispatched Portage Central in four sets in the regional final and have been a team on a mission since losing in the D1 semifinal last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454351' first='Mallory' last='Johnson']</strong> is fresh off <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/byron-centers-mallory-johnson-names-2026-miss-volleyball/">being named Miss Volleyball</a> and playing her best volleyball to date. Her and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield']</strong> make it very tough for teams to get easy points on Byron Center. The Bulldogs will be looking to get big outings from their offense in this one, including Johnson, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809922' first='Cara' last='Crittendon']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830699' first='Caitlin' last='Hartson']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908353' first='Kenna' last='Deters']</strong>. They will be tasked with working around a big Hudsonville front line. Setters <strong>Ellexa Froysland</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888965' first='Layla' last='Triplett']</strong> will have to keep the Eagles off balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Hudsonville:</strong> The Eagles have had quite a path to the quarterfinals, having to beat Jenison, Zeeland East, Rockford, and Grand Haven. Hudsonville has been dominant at the net. In the regional final, it hit .352 as a team led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Megan' last='Glass']</strong> hitting .706 with 12 kills. Nobody has had an answer for this senior middle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='846051' first='Nora' last='Vanderweele']</strong> hit .409 with 11 kills, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888951' first='Piper' last='Vugteveen']</strong> and <strong>Ella Haarsma</strong> also hit over .300. That's a credit to the play of setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939684' first='Sofie' last='Sanders']</strong> and <strong>Jaclyn Keppel</strong>. Defense will be key on Tuesday, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='839515' first='Whitney' last='Swiercz']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887795' first='Emmy' last='Poll']</strong> have been leading that effort in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Byron Center hitters vs. Hudsonville blocking</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> These two had a pair of close sets in late August that went to Hudsonville, but that was a long time ago. Glass had seven blocks in that match and it will be up to Byron Center to figure out ways to get clean looks. I like the tenacity of the Bulldogs to find a way to win this one in five sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 3: Northville vs. Bedford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Ypsilanti Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Northville:</strong> The Mustangs have a great opportunity to return to Battle Creek in a year that has been up and down. They have won back-to-back five-setters, which builds a lot of character coming into this quarterfinal. Defense has always been a strength for Northville and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009093' first='Hadley' last='Conrad']</strong> has shined in these big matches with her ability to keep the ball off the floor. Blocking has been strong as well behind <strong>Juliet Raiti</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1008059' first='Alana' last='Klisz']</strong> and <strong>Olivia Smith</strong>. Offensively, seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523832' first='Charley' last='Romeo']</strong> and <strong>Reilly McLaughlin</strong> have been steady and reliable while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1009768' first='Addalyn' last='Moore']</strong> could be the difference-maker for Northville this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Bedford:</strong> The Kicking Mules are looking to break through and get to Battle Creek. They got past Cass Tech in four sets in the regional final. The strength all year for Bedford has been in the defensive play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454376' first='Blair' last='Russow']</strong>, a senior libero that is racking up digs and had 30 in the win over the Technicians. Serving was key for Bedford as well with 13 aces as a team, including four from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='879321' first='Hayden' last='Fausze']</strong>. The senior is part of the offensive attack along other seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829559' first='Anna' last='Gray']</strong>, <strong>Kennadi Goulet</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835502' first='Madyson' last='Wallace']</strong>. Sophomore <strong>Cady Fischer</strong> is running the offense and getting great balance out of the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Serve vs. Serve Receive both ways</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> With two strong defenses, there should be long rallies and hard-earned points here. I give the edge to Northville for its program experience this time of year, and knowing it can dig deep to win a five-set match in a pressure situation. This could very well go five sets again, and I think the Mustangs prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 4: No. 2 Marian vs. No. 9 Romeo</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 Marian:</strong> The Mustangs are coming off an emotional four-set win over their rival, top-ranked Mercy. It's a massive win and now puts the spotlight on Marian as the favorite on paper, but requires the Mustangs to get locked in to finish the job. There really isn't a weak spot on the court for Marian. Their attack is explosive and full of experience with senior outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454352' first='Calli' last='LeFevre']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith']</strong>, as well as senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828552' first='Cecilia' last='Murray']</strong>. Then add in junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson']</strong> and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson']</strong>, and it's easy to see why Marian is so formidable. Freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey']</strong> plays with as much fire as anyone and is the glue putting everything together in this offense. If that wasn't enough, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon']</strong> is among the best liberos in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch for Romeo</strong>: The Bulldogs are as hot as anyone right now, coming off a sweep of Stoney Creek while defeating fifth-ranked Eisenhower in the districts. Like Marian, Romeo is going to be able to attack with multiple options like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442978' first='Eleanor' last='Williams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644157' first='Addison' last='Bultynck']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490033' first='Christina' last='Rosenow']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891341' first='Layla' last='Ljajcaj']. [player_tooltip player_id='442990' first='Kylie' last='Freeman']</strong> is doing a great job of spreading the ball around to make Romeo so tough at the net right now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442988' first='Kaylah' last='Liedke']</strong> has also played at a high level at libero and will be the big key in this match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Marian hitters vs. [player_tooltip player_id='442988' first='Kaylah' last='Liedke']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Marian looked like the best team in the state on Thursday while Romeo has been playing some of the best volleyball in the state the last month. Ultimately, I like the Mustangs to find a way to prevail. I'll take Marian in 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->