Top D3 & D4 Teams Set to Clash in Warren, MI

Many of the tournaments we preview and cover are populated with some of the best Division 1 & 2 teams in the state. Rarely do we get the opportunity to cover a tournament that consists of some of the best division 3 & 4 teams. This weekend, the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy is hosting a small D3 and D4 tournament that will pack some heat with some of those respective divisions top programs. SMCC highlights the field as the #1 team in Division 3. Plymouth Christian and Oakland Christian highlight the Division 4 teams.

Tournament Favorites:

SMCC (#1 in D3) - We believe that SMCC is in their own league in the field. Packed with firepower and a solid defense, it will take an upset to take down SMCC.

West Michigan Christian (#4 in D3) - West Michigan Christian has a hike to get to Warren but they want to see and play the best. Trent Smilie's team is loaded with athletes and may be the one team that can make a run at SMCC.

Charyl Stockwell (#7 in D3) - Charyl Stockwell was a few points away last year from a trip to the finals in Class C. Most of their team returns including stellar athlete Paige Gallentine. 6'4 Lila Splavic also help at the net.

Plymouth Christian Academy (#5 in D4) - Head Coach D.J. Kellogg's team continue to be a powerhouse in the smallest division. His go-to hitter, Gabrielle Kellogg will be leaned upon this weekend for firepower as they try to compete with some of the top teams listed above.

Other Teams to Watch - Riverview Gabriel Richard, Harbor Beach, Brown City

Players to Watch in the tournament

Pool 1 - Mikayla Haut (SMCC), Maddie Haut (SMCC), Kendall Muxlow (Brown City), Mya Minjares (Shrine)

Pool 2 - Gabrielle Kellogg (Plymouth Christian), Sydney Kuziak (Riv. Gabriel Richard), Bella Kandes (Riv. Gabriel Richard), Ashley Nordmann (Lansing Christian)

Pool 3 - Anna Sytsema (West Michigan Christian), Claudia Kingma (West Michigan Christian), Paige Gallentine (Charyl Stockwell), Theresa Kehn (Charyl Stockwell)

Predictions

Pool A (SMCC, Brown City, Burton Atherton, and Shrine) - SMCC will run through the pool. In a surprise, Shrine comes out at 2nd with Brown City 3rd.

Pool B (Plymouth Christian, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Reese, and Lansing Christian) - Top 2 seeds will battle it out with Gabriel Richard taking 1st in the pool. PCA goes #2 and Lansing Christian finishes 3rd.

Pool C (West Michigan Christian, Charyl Stockwell, Harbor Beach, and Oakland Christian) - WMC and Charyl Stockwell battle it out for 1 and 2 with Stockwell edging WMC. Oakland Christian takes 3rd in the pool.

Quarters

SMCC vs. Lansing Christian - SMCC just overwhelms LC winning in an easy 2 sets to advance to the semi's.

West Michigan Christian vs. Plymouth Christian - In a back and forth battle, WMC pulls out a 3 set win over the defending D4 champs.

Shrine vs. Charyl Stockwell - Stockwell has too much talent as they unload an arsenal of offense on shrine. Stockwell in 3.

Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Oakland Christian - Oakland Christian has solid D but not enough to fend off Richard. Richard in 2

Semi's

SMCC vs. WMC - In a preview of a Battle Creek matchup, SMCC comes out fast. Not sure there is a better 6 rotation OH in the 2021 class than Mikayla Haut. Haut puts on a show as SMCC wins in 2.

Charyl Stockwell vs. Riverview Gabriel Richard - This is an opportunity for Richard to put themselves on the map in Division 3. In a back and forth battle, Stockwell edges Richard in 3 16-14 to advance.

Finals
Charyl Stockwell vs. SMCC - There is a reason SMCC hangs with the top D1 and D2 teams in the state. They are about as physical as a D3 team can be. SMCC in 2 over Stockwell