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