2020 MHSAA Postseason: Division 2 Quarterfinals Predictions

<p>The final eight teams for Division 2 features a lot of familiar names.</p> <p>Three of the semifinalists from 2019 still stand, while four of our top-5 teams from our final D2 rankings are still in contention as well.</p> <p>It should be a great week of volleyball in Division 2, starting with the four quarterfinals on Tuesday.</p> <p>Here’s my take on each of the four matches.</p> <p><em><a href="https://bit.ly/35vSNAT">Related: Division 1 Quarterfinals Predictions</a></em></p> <h4><strong>Regina vs. Notre Dame Prep at St. Clair County CC</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_115979" align="alignright" width="178"]<img class=" wp-image-115979" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/NDP-Sophia-Sudzina-2-260x300.jpg" alt="" width="178" height="205" /> Sophia Sudzina[/caption] <p>No. 16 Regina had a really smooth time in regional play, but the level of competition steps up big time with No. 5 Notre Dame Prep. The Irish have reached Battle Creek the last three years and had to grind out a tremendous regional final with No. 10 North Branch in five sets. That win showcased everything that makes the Irish a great team, as they had contributions from so many in different phases of the game. The Saddlelites have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50313" first="Jenna" last="O’Brien"]</strong>, who is capable of taking over a match. However, the Irish have an array of players that can step up and they have that championship poise that is important this time of year.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Notre Dame Prep over Regina in three</strong></p> <h4><strong>Lakewood vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard at Tecumseh</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_115980" align="alignright" width="153"]<img class=" wp-image-115980" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Lakewood-Skylar-Bump-222x300.jpg" alt="" width="153" height="206" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66296" first="Skylar" last="Bump"][/caption] <p>Gabriel Richard has really turned up the intensity level the last two weeks and had a great five-set win over No. 23 Flat Rock last week on its way to a regional title. The Irish have a veteran squad that has helped them to this point. They will certainly be challenged by top-ranked Lakewood, which has looked like a team on a mission all season. They did drop a set to No. 9 Marshall in last week’s regional, but Lakewood has just too much fire power for Gabriel Richard to overcome. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14185" first="Aubrey" last="O’Gorman"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"]</strong> have been finishing at amazing rates this year and the Vikings have had great contributions from a young setter and libero.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Lakewood over Gabriel Richard in three</strong></p> <h4><strong>Cadillac vs. Birch Run at Alma</strong></h4> <p>A great matchup of No. 4 Cadillac vs. No. 8 Birch Run will take place in the Central Michigan area. The Vikings have been a busy team all season and come into the week with the state leader in kills, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50331" first="Macy" last="Brown"]</strong>. Brown has 911 kills on the season and could potentially get to 1,000 if Cadillac gets three more matches. Brown is going to be tough for anyone to contain, as nobody has been able to do it yet. Birch Run had a hard-fought, five-set match with Garber in the regional semifinal. However, the Panthers haven’t lost in a month and their confidence should be very high. <strong>Ally Lasley </strong>and <strong>Emma McIlhargie</strong> are a trusty pair of senior hitters Birch Run can turn that will really challenge the Cadillac defense. Ultimately, I see Brown being too impactful for Birch Run to be able to overcome. This feels like Cadillac’s time to get to Battle Creek.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Cadillac over Birch Run in four</strong></p> <h4><strong>Grand Rapids Christian vs. Edwardsburg at Three Rivers</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_115981" align="alignright" width="171"]<img class=" wp-image-115981" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/GRC-Evie-Doezema-2-231x300.jpg" alt="" width="171" height="222" /> [player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"][/caption] <p>The two-time defending state champs, No. 2 Grand Rapids Christian, has made things look pretty easy thus far in the postseason. They have won all 12 sets the last two weeks, without allowing an opponent to get to even 20 points in a set. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="14203" first="Addie" last="VanderWeide"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24853" first="Evelyn" last="Doezema"] </strong>could be the best 1-2 punch on the outside in the entire state. No. 25 Edwardsburg looked far better than its ranking last week with a dominant sweep of No. 6 Hamilton in a regional semifinal. The Eddies have great balance behind the defensive play of <strong>Brooklyn Broadway</strong> and the setting of <strong>Emma Strefling</strong>. Edwardsburg will need its best match yet when it takes on GRC. The Eagles haven’t lost to a D2 team all season and still have the experience of winning back-to-back state championships.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Grand Rapids Christian over Edwardsburg in three</strong></p>