2026 D4 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>Division 4 is arguably the best spread out when it comes to top teams and regional locations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are some stacked brackets, there are also some clear paths for top teams to reach the final week of play for some outstanding matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at the eight D4 regional tournaments and my picks to win each one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 25 at Ishpeming</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 5 Hancock vs. Ishpeming; No. 9 Crystal Falls Forest Park vs. Ewen-Trout Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Hancock should be feeling good about how it is playing right now. It has a number of hitters able to step up, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='907760' first='Romey' last='Koskela']</strong> and <strong>Vaeda Brooks</strong>. Ishpeming has had some big games out of libero <strong>Evelyn Nicholas</strong>, and will need another on Tuesday. Forest Park has its slew of Andersons leading the way in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765308' first='Evie' last='Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='765310' first='Harper' last='Anderson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765544' first='Josie' last='Anderson']</strong>. They should be ready to overpower Ewen-Trout Creek in the other semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: I expect Hancock and Forest Park to collide in the regional final, which should be a great match. Hancock edged Forest Park earlier in the year, but I think Forest Park will have the edge in the rematch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 26 at Cedarville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> St. Ignace vs. Newberry; Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian vs. HM Atlanta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a wide open region, which should lead to some exciting sets. <strong>Chloe Bigger</strong> has been outstanding for St. Ignace at libero and a game-changer from the service line. Newberry will look to counter with a 1-2 punch of <strong>Rylie Burton</strong> and <strong>Natalie Whalen</strong> at the net. Atlanta has had another strong season with very few losses, so it should feel good about its chances this week and be ready for upset-minded NMC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Atlanta's record is really impressive, but these are some new opponents for the Huskies. Still, I will go with them to keep finding ways to prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 27 at Onekama</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Suttons Bay vs. HM Buckey; HM Onekama vs. East Jordan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This looks like a well-balanced region, which should lead to some exciting play. Buckley is right in the mix with the top-ranked teams in the state. The Bears dug deep to win a five-set district final over TC Christian and that should help build its confidence for this week. Suttons Bay is in a regional for the first time in 19 years and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021976' first='Leah' last='Clarke']</strong> is getting a lot out of this offense. Onekama looks like it's cruising along coming into the regional. <strong>Delaney McCarthy</strong> is ready to show she's as good as anyone at the net in the division and could be the X-factor in this region. East Jordan will look to counter with their dynamic setter/hitter combo player <strong>Jo Kirkpatrick.</strong> It should provide a fun chess match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Onekama is at home this week and that could be what helps push it to the regional championship. McCarthy can take over a match and being at home should only bring the best out of her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 28 at Coleman</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Mason County Eastern vs. Midland Calvary Baptist; No. 2 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart vs. Au Gres-Sims</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This time of year is when Sacred Heart shines and I don't expect that to change this week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833681' first='Karis' last='Terwilliger']</strong> is one of the top hitters in all of D4 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='847397' first='Bridget' last='Wiggins']</strong> is one of the top defenders in the division. I expect that will be too much for the Wolverines to deal with on Tuesday. <strong>Brailyn Johnson</strong> has the Mason County Eastern offense clicking, while <strong>Kasey Gaudette</strong> is doing a lot offensively and defensively for the Cardinals. They will need to be on their game to top a Calvary Baptist team that has racked up some impressive wins in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Sacred Heart will be down to business this week and ready to continue its pursuit of getting back to Battle Creek. I don't see the Irish not prevailing this week. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 29 at Athens</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 7 St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran vs. No. 4 Battle Creek St. Philip; Mendon vs. No. 10 Kalamazoo Hackett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is quite a regional, as there are three ranked teams and a team that reached Battle Creek a year ago. Mendon may be the underdog this week, but still has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1023733' first='Lashell' last='Blair']</strong> to compete against Hackett, and their impressive middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884932' first='Lucy' last='Young']</strong>. St. Philip is certainly always a threat this time of year and has a lot of experienced leadership, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1019373' first='Addison' last='Dzwik']</strong>. Michigan Lutheran has a great 1-2 punch at the net in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021984' first='Isla' last='Hendrickson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916077' first='Amelia' last='Elder']</strong>, but it could be tough to overcome that program history that St. Philip has built over decades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: This is a region where it feels like each of the four teams could emerge, but I have to go with the D4 GOAT in Vicky Groat to guide her Tigers to another regional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 30 at Concord</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Concord vs. No. 1 Lenawee Christian; HM Hillsdale Academy vs. Fulton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Top-ranked Lenawee Christian should be tested this week, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916065' first='Hattie' last='Fansler']</strong> is on a roll at the net, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916067' first='Brynn' last='Davis']</strong> is getting her hitters great balls to swing at. Lenawee Christian will be tasked with slowing down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732303' first='Annie' last='Saenz']</strong> for Concord, which is no small task. Hillsdale Academy has managed to be a strong defensive team behind the play of <strong>MalorieKate Apel</strong>. I think that will be the key for it to advance against Fulton, which has a balanced attack thanks to the play of <strong>Macie Akers</strong> at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Lenawee Christian has looked like the top team in D4 all season and I am not changing my tune on that this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 31 at Lutheran Westland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Allen Park Inter-City Baptist vs. No. 6 Oakland Christian; Southfield Christian vs. Ann Arbor Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Oakland Christian has looked very strong and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455952' first='Sofie' last='Williams']</strong> took her game to another level in last week's district final. Inter-City Baptist will have its hands full with her, but also have a strong presence at the net in middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998001' first='Daneris' last='Gomez']</strong>. Ann Arbor Christian had a lot of different players finish points last week, a credit to <strong>Lydia Sit</strong> at setter. It will need that kind of balance this week, but it has had good success against Southfield Christian this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: The Lancers look like the team to beat and have the most dynamic hitter, which is always what you want this time of year. I like Oakland Christian over Ann Arbor Christian this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 32 at Peck</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Cardinal Mooney vs. No. 8 Ubly; Deckerville vs. Genesee Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Ubly still looks like a state contender with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611100' first='Waverly' last='Hagen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='724836' first='Addison' last='Weber']</strong> as a fierce combo at the net. The Tigers will be up against a solid libero in <strong>Taylor Watts</strong>, who will look to keep Cardinal Mooney in the match. Deckerville and Genesee Christian have avoided meeting up this year, so this should be a competitive semifinal that will come down to the team that serves more effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Ubly has the experience of winning regionals a year ago and look to strong to come up short this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->