D4 Quarterfinal Key Matchups & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 4 playoffs look very intriguing heading into finals week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have the last two state champs on opposing sides of the bracket and looking like they could meet up on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then we have six teams all looking to shake things up and make a Cinderella run, similar to what we have seen from the previous two champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things will start to shake out more on Tuesday night. Here's a look at the four quarterfinal matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 13: Hancock vs. Atlanta</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big opportunity for both programs. Hancock is coming off a sweep of fifth-ranked Forest Park for its first regional championship. A senior-led Bulldog squad has been led by outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732226' first='Brooke' last='Koskela']</strong>, who consistently puts down double-digit kills. The team has turned to her in big moments throughout the year and that won't change on Tuesday. Atlanta is in the same boat at Hancock, making its first regional championship appearance after a sweep of St. Ignace. The Huskies have been able to ride the offensive wave of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523257' first='Alliyah' last='Hagemeister'] </strong>and <strong>Valerie Binge </strong>to reach this point. The duo will look to rattle the senior composure of Hancock on Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Hancock over Atlanta in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 14: Traverse City Christian vs. MP Sacred Heart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 state champs are looking like a top contender again this season. Ranked No. 2, the Irish get set to take on TC Christian. Sacred Heart has worked a balanced offense this season. In the regional final win over Calvary Baptist, three different players had at least nine kills. That speaks to the play of senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595955' first='Sophie' last='Hauck']</strong>. Hauck has had plenty of big-match experience during her prep career, including in recent Battle Creek appearances. That will come in handy this week. A tough schedule for TC Christian during the season has helped it be playoff ready. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512395' first='Olivia' last='Strehl']</strong> has been a shining star throughout the year. She's able to play the outside or middle, but excels at both spots. Her ability to put the ball down has been a real catalyst for the Sabres. Strehl will try and lead a charge against a composed Irish squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Sacred Heart over TC Christian in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 15: St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake vs. Concord</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs that have been right in the mix in D4 throughout the season get a chance to advance to Battle Creek on Tuesday night when these two collide. The Lakers managed to sweep perennial power, Battle Creek St. Philip, in last week's regional final. The team was balanced in every way, with three hitters getting at least 10 kills and five players with double-digit digs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='723141' first='Nora' last='Proos'] </strong>has been the production leader for the squad with nearly 500 kills and 400 digs. She's going to leave it all on the court Tuesday night. Concord had one of the biggest wins in the regional final when it outlasted No. 3 Mendon in five sets. Not many had a better night that senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732205' first='Iyla' last='Weeks']</strong>. She put down 41 kills while hitting .303, and added 19 digs and two blocks. The 6-footer is over 700 kills for the second straight season and ready to showcase her talents on the big stage. This matchup is likely to come down to which star takes over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Concord over Our Lady of the Lake in 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 16: Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. Ubly</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending D4 champs have looked dominant, not dropping a match while running through some impressive D4 teams in this postseason run. Ubly has had a great season, but will have its hands full trying to slow down the Mountaineers. CEC already has a powerful 1-2 punch on the outside in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261206' first='Sarah' last='Bradley'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288958' first='Madelyn' last='Krappmann']</strong>, but now middle <strong>Addison Pearce </strong>is proving to be a major problem for opponents as well. The senior just had 13 kills while hitting .688 in a sweep of Fowler. Ubly looked dominant against Deckerville in the regional final, so the Bearcats should come into the match confident in an upset. Ubly has an imposing middle itself in 6'2” senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732222' first='Allie' last='Guza']</strong>. She's hitting .357 on the season and hit .529 with 11 kills in the regional final. If she can win up front, she gives Ubly a chance to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Everest Collegiate over Ubly in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->