Division 2 semifinals breakdown & predictions

<p>It’s hard to draw up a more impressive final four than what we will see in Division 2 on Friday.</p> <p>The semifinal pairings in Division 2 features four blue blood programs. Between these four teams, there are a combined 10 state titles and 11 runner-up finishes.</p> <p>Grab your popcorn for Friday night and enjoy these two matchups.</p> <h4><strong>No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian vs. No. 2 Notre Dame Prep, 4:30 p.m.</strong></h4> <p>What an outstanding matchup this is. The three-time defending state champs draw Notre Dame Prep, the last D2 program to win a state title prior to their threepeat. NDP has only dropped one match this season, and that was with <strong>Aly Borellis </strong>dealing with a dislocated thumb. The Irish haven’t lost to a D2 program this year and looked like the top team in the state when at full strength. NDP may not be 100 percent on Friday, as Borellis is still fighting through the injury, while senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137573" first="Sophia" last="Sudzina"] </strong>is dealing with a sprained ankle. What is at full strength is NDP’s defense, which may not have an equal in any division. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24842" first="Josie" last="Bloom"]</strong> plays the libero position as well as anyone, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66295" first="Allison" last="Berent"] </strong>is a tremendous DS. Both are also very aggressive from the service line with 124 aces each. GRC has a lot of new faces in the lineup this year compared to last year’s championship squad. <strong>Evie Doezema </strong>has stepped into the primary hitter role and has been as good as anyone in the state this year with 701 kills while hitting .345. She will need help against NDP, and that can come from middle <strong>Kate Breems </strong>and senior OPP <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151379" first="Calista" last="Bremer"]</strong>. Senior setter <strong>Aylssa DeVries </strong>is also a big difference-maker for GRC. This match really feels like a coin flip. GRC has made me pay for picking against them in the past, but NDP really has a defense that gets in opponent’s heads. I think that will make the difference in this one, but it should be a classic either way. <strong>Prediction: </strong>Notre Dame over GRC in 5</p> <h4><strong>No. 3 Lakewood vs. No. 9 North Branch, 6:30 p.m.</strong></h4> <p>North Branch is a team that is well ahead of schedule success-wise for the age of its roster. The Broncos have just one senior and rely heavily on sophomores. Lakewood has just four seniors, but it’s the last run for their generational talent, 6’2” outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24871" first="Maradith" last="O’Gorman"]</strong>. The Vikings have come up just short of a state title in recent years and know this is a big opportunity in 2021. O’Gorman has 642 kills while hitting .398 and adding 128 blocks and 445 digs. She can do it all and moves so smoothly for her size. With O’Gorman and a poised libero in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110318" first="Carley" last="Piercefield"]</strong>, Lakewood will need its role players to step up in Battle Creek. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66296" first="Skylar" last="Bump"] </strong>is a veteran setter that has also taken on a secondary hitting role this season. She may be the make-or-break player for Lakewood. North Branch is impressive in its cohesion for a young squad. Sophomore setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110302" first="Adrienne" last="Greschaw"] </strong>spreads the ball out very smoothly to sophomore hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110291" first="Alana" last="Deshetsky"] </strong>and <strong>Kaela Chingwa</strong>, as well as junior <strong>Bailey Gormley</strong>. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110301" first="Hailey" last="Green"] </strong>is another sophomore for North Branch at libero that manages to get to so many balls. She’s going to be up for the challenge of digging out O’Gorman’s attacks. O’Gorman is certainly the best player on the floor in this matchup, but I like North Branch’s balance across the court. Both teams are well-coached, so it’s going to be up to the role players and I feel the Broncos are stronger in that area. <strong>Prediction: </strong>North Branch over Lakewood in 5</p>