Division 2 Semifinal Breakdown & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday's semifinal action in Battle Creek will close out with Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two matchups in this division couldn't be much more polar opposites, but it provides a lot of good storylines heading into the night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at both contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Milan vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic – 4:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big opportunity for two teams that were unranked entering the postseason. Both have had some notable wins over the last few weeks, but now the big stage of Kellogg Arena comes calling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Catholic battled against a number of strong teams in the Grand Rapids area to have it prepared for the postseason and it has showed. The Falcons really dug deep in a five-set win over Ludington on Tuesday to get to this point. West Catholic brings a powerful 1-2 punch to the net in <strong>Brooke Tietz </strong>and <strong>Emma Tuttle</strong>. <strong>Mia Henne </strong>provides some added depth and size in the middle as well to give the Falcons a lot of imposing athleticism up front. The one that seems to make everything really click is junior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446694' first='Amelia' last='Gagnon']</strong>. She's over 700 digs on the season and the team's biggest serving threat. If she can continue to play at an elite level, it gives West Catholic a great chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milan got its toughest test to open district play, a five-set thriller with Adrian Madison. Since then the Big Reds haven't dropped a set, including a sweep of Divine Child on Tuesday in the quarterfinals. Like West Catholic, Milan has a primary 1-2 punch offensively in <strong>Courtney Nye </strong>and <strong>Malea Wourman </strong>on the outside. Milan won't have the size that West Catholic has, but it can counter with a lot of aggressive swings on the pins thanks to the play of setter <strong>Madison Slack</strong>. Defensively, Milan has gotten a lot of contributions in the back row, which makes them a technically sound team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams may have to shake off some nerves in the beginning stages of this matchup. However, as things play out, I think West Catholic has the edge. The Falcons bring more length at the net, and that is important this time of year. West Catholic also looks a little more battle-tested than Milan coming into this contest. I think those tough matches against D1 opponents will carry the Falcons through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>West Catholic over Milan in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No. 1 North Branch vs. No. 2 Grand Rapids Christian – 6:30 p.m.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't get much better than having No. 1 vs. No. 2 to close out Thursday night. The Broncos and Eagles have won six of the last nine Division 2/Class B state championships and now they collide for a spot in the 2023 final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Branch has been the unquestioned No. 1 team in Division 2 all year after winning the title last season and returning the majority of their roster. You'd be hard-pressed to find a weakness in this lineup, especially with 6'3” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa']</strong> returning to the middle late in the season. The Broncos have it all including Miss Volleyball finalists in libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] </strong>and setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110302' first='Adrienne' last='Greschaw']</strong>. Then mix in a tremendous trio of pin hitters with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110291' first='Alana' last='Deshetsky'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226888' first='Aubree' last='Deshetsky']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have had to work hard to climb up the rankings throughout the season, but clearly established themselves as No. 2 for the final stretch. GRC may not have the overall experience and depth of North Branch, but it is a very technically sound team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110284' first='Hanna' last='Bredeweg'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma'] </strong>are a pair of senior setters that are great on-floor leaders for GRC. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156322' first='Madison' last='Peal'] </strong>has made it very tough on teams to finish points and she has been up against many of the top hitters in the entire state. Where GRC will need to really succeed is with its finishing ability. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke']</strong> is a very promising underclassman, but she will need to play like a senior on Thursday night if GRC hopes to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am excited to see this matchup unfold. North Branch showed it was human during the postseason, but that might have just been a wake-up call for the Broncos. GRC can't expect North Branch to beat itself, so the Eagles will have to play their best match of the season. The Eagles can approach this matchup like they have nothing to lose, while North Branch has a lot of pressure to repeat. That could keep this one interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>North Branch over Grand Rapids Christian in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->