Breakdown & Predictions for the MHSAA Division 3 quarterfinals

<p>The Division 3 playoffs in the MHSAA should be a real barnburner with four of our top-10 teams still in the mix and a few teams trying to break the bracket. Will the powerhouses make their run to Battle Creek, or is Division 3 where we see some new faces contend for the state championship? Here’s my breakdown and predictions for all four matches.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2PR2NNO">RELATED: Our Division 1 Quarterfinal Predictions</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2QEQxgV">RELATED: Our Division 2 Quarterfinal Predictions</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://bit.ly/2QBlYsd">RELATED: Our Division 4 Quarterfinal Predictions</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>No. 19 Brown City vs. No. 8 Unionville-Sebewaing at Burton Bendle</strong></p> <p>USA is coming off wins over No. 23 Millington and Reese last week in regional play and the Patriots will bring one of the best hitters in all of Division 3 to this week’s quarterfinal. Senior <strong>Rylee Zimmer </strong>(Saginaw Valley State) has put up 752 kills this year to lead a strong USA attack that features four hitters with 250 kills or more. Junior <strong>Allyson Kemp</strong> has been a nice compliment for Zimmer, putting up 342 kills, while setter <strong>Nichole Schember </strong>has racked up 1,560 assists. Zimmer is also a big block despite being listed at just 5-11. She has 124 for the year while also tallying a team-high 496 digs.</p> <p>Brown City defeated Bishop Foley in four sets and Lutheran Northwest in three last week to reach the quarterfinal. The Green Devils have a steady hitter as well in senior <strong>Kendal Muxlow</strong>, but she has some help from senior <strong>Alexis Crenshaw </strong>and sophomore <strong>Grace Schlaud</strong>. The three combined for 21 kills in Thursday’s regional final. They make the job easier for setter <strong>Alexis Wiltse</strong>, who has been great at keeping opponents guessing. The Green Devils will need to rely on their defense in Tuesday’s match, while USA will look to turn to its powerful hitting. These two have had close sets throughout the year, but I like the Patriots in a narrow victory.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Unionville-Sebewaing over Brown City in five</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>HM Traverse City St. Francis vs. HM Beal City at Cadillac</strong></p> <p>The only two unranked teams in our Division 3 poll to still be playing for the state title will meet up on Tuesday. Neither team is unfamiliar with Battle Creek, as each finished runner-up in Class C over the last seven years. The Beal City Aggies defeated No. 22 Houghton Lake and No. 18 Beaverton in last week’s regional tournament to reach Tuesday’s quarterfinal. Sophomore <strong>Sage Schumacher </strong>looks to be a rising star in the state. She led the Aggies in the regional final, posting 19 kills and five blocks. The Aggies have a lot of capable passers and defenders as well in <strong>Jordyn Fillenworth</strong>, senior <strong>Kara Lybeer</strong> and junior <strong>Lyndsey Fillenworth</strong>.</p> <p>The Aggies will need good defense against St. Francis, which has played very big at the net in recent matches. The Gladiators defeated Manistique and Rogers City last week to claim a regional championship. In the win over Manistique in the final, junior <strong>Lauren Tocco </strong>posted 10 blocks in just three sets. Along with Tocco’s blocking, the Gladiators have a strong outside in senior <strong>Molly Mirabelli</strong>, who has been a team-leader in kills and racked up 23 against Manistique. They also have senior hitters <strong>Brenna Poole </strong>and sophomore <strong>Kaylin Poole </strong>to turn to when Mirabelli isn’t swinging. Both teams won’t be lacking in confidence for this game, but I like the Aggies victories last week. They proved they should be ranked higher and I think they can make some noise in Battle Creek.</p> <p><strong>Predictions: Beal City over St. Francis in four</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>No. 5 Manchester vs. No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at Ann Arbor Huron</strong></p> <p>A great matchup of top-5 teams, top-ranked SMCC could be facing its toughest postseason test yet. The Kestrels made quick work of Dearborn Heights Star International and No. 10 Charyl Stockwell Academy last week. Outside hitter <strong>Mikayla Haut </strong>is one of the top members of the Class of 2021 in the entire state. She has 536 kills on the year and hitting .405. Haut also is a great server that is approaching 100 aces and has 364 digs as well. Her sister, <strong>Maddie Haut</strong> is a great presence in the middle as well with 119 blocks and 244 kills, while sophomores <strong>Anna Dean </strong>and <strong>Abbie Costlow</strong> have also been consistent hitters. In the back row, senior <strong>Abby Jackson </strong>has been a great leader at libero and runs a defense that doesn’t get a lot of attention because the SMCC attack is so strong.</p> <p>Following a big four-set win over No. 11 Vandercook Lake, Manchester swept Bath to win the regional championship. The Lady Dutch have a great 1-2 punch at the net in senior <strong>Jayden Humphrey </strong>and junior <strong>Kayla Engel</strong>. The two have combined for over 1,050 kills this season. Sophomore <strong>Kayla Ridenour </strong>has been feeding both this year and has 1,180 assists to show for it. All three have been dangerous from the serve line as well, and they will have to be to deal with SMCC. Manchester is making its first quarterfinal appearance since 1993 while SMCC has been in this position plenty of times. While the Dutch won’t have anything to lose on Tuesday, the nerves will still be there.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: SMCC over Manchester in three</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>No. 12 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian vs. No. 2 Bronson at Hudsonville Unity Christian</strong></p> <p>Second-ranked Bronson knows many believe SMCC is the eventual D3 champion, but the three-time defending Class C champions are going about their business. The Vikings defeated No. 3 Schoolcraft in a five-set classic in the regional final on Thursday. Bronson has Miss Volleyball finalist <strong>Kiera Lasky </strong>leading their strong defense from the libero position and at the net, the Vikings have senior middle <strong>Ashton Wronikowski</strong>, senior outside <strong>Jolie Smoker </strong>and junior outside <strong>Keona Salesman </strong>leading the way. Sophomore <strong>Megan Lasky </strong>has a great feel for who to feed at what times and also isn’t afraid to attack herself.</p> <p>GR NorthPointe Christian earned an impressive four-set win over No. 9 North Muskegon in last week’s regional final and the Mustangs are hoping to take down another top-10 team on Tuesday. Senior outside <strong>Annie Holesinger</strong> has been a handful for opponents to deal with all season as she has posted over 500 kills on the year and over 1,000 for her career. Senior setter <strong>Megan Schrock </strong>runs the 5-1 for the Mustangs and runs it well while <strong>EJ Zichterman </strong>is running the defense at the libero position. NPC will be up for Tuesday’s match, but Bronson has that championship experience that you can’t replace. The Vikings will stay poised and find their way back to Battle Creek.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Bronson over NorthPointe Christian in four</strong></p>