Players to watch & predictions for the MHSAA Division 3 semifinals
Division 3 will feature a new state champion on Saturday and four very capable teams will battle it out to get a step closer to the championship on Friday afternoon. Here’s a look at what to expect from the two…
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Continue ReadingDivision 3 will feature a new state champion on Saturday and four very capable teams will battle it out to get a step closer to the championship on Friday afternoon.
Here’s a look at what to expect from the two matchups on Friday and who I see coming out on top.
Valley Lutheran vs. Schoolcraft – Friday, Noon
Schoolcraft has been the top-ranked team in Division 3 for months and put an end to the four-year championship run of Bronson in the regional semifinal with a three-set sweep. Valley Lutheran was ranked No. 10 entering the postseason in our Division 3 rankings and the Chargers have only dropped two sets during this postseason run. They now find themselves in their first semifinal in program history.
Players to watch for Schoolcraft – Of all the talent that will be on display in Battle Creek this weekend, Andelyn Simkins may be in line to be the most dominant player in any division. The senior outside hitter and Miss Volleyball finalist would be a go-to player for any team in the state and she is Schoolcraft’s unstoppable force. Her hitting is precise and powerful, while her defense is steady and consistent. Any of the other three Division 3 teams will have a hard time stopping her. Kelby Goldschmeding is the unsung hero of the team, as Schoolcraft has been really strong on defense. The Eagles libero will be a big key this weekend as she can keep Schoolcraft in-system to keep feeding Simkins with high-percentage swings.
Players to watch for Valley Lutheran – Senior libero Kelsey Vittitow is accustomed to playing well in big situations, but this is one of the biggest she will face. It’s going to be tough to stop Simkins, but if Vittitow can keep a handful of her big swings in play, it could mean the difference between a win and a loss. Setter Sydney Krause will also be important. The Chargers need to make the most of their offensive opportunities. When in-system, Valley Lutheran has to find ways to finish. Krause can efficiently run the offense and mix the ball up to the variety of Charger hitters.
Prediction – Beating Bronson was a big deal for Schoolcraft, but the Eagles didn’t look like a satisfied team after that. They very-much are still in business mode. Valley Lutheran is having a great year and making your first semifinal is a big deal. However, with that comes some nerves that jitters that can be hard to overcome. The Chargers should play like they have nothing to lose on Friday and just leave it all on the court. In the end, Schoolcraft just looks destined to raise the hardware on Saturday. The Eagles have been the best team in Division 3 all year and I don’t see that changing now. Schoolcraft over Valley Lutheran in three
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Beaverton – Friday, 2 p.m.
This is a bit of a David vs. Goliath matchup in terms of program accomplishments. Beaverton is making its first semifinal appearance in program history and is facing SMCC, a program that has collected five state championships and was a semifinalist in 2018. In terms of play this year, the Kestrels have been ranked near the top of D3 all year and were No. 2 entering the postseason. The Beavers came into the playoffs as our ninth-ranked team after a perfect run in the Jack Pine Conference.
Players to watch for SMCC – Junior outside Mikayla Haut has been on the state radar for years and has continued to improve each year. She will head into 2020 as a likely Miss Volleyball finalist. A complete player, Haut embraces the pressure of being the go-to hitter on a very talented SMCC roster. The Kestrels have a lot of hitters that they can turn to, but the big key this weekend will be their defense. That is where senior DS Payton Osborne comes into play. She played in last year’s semifinal and Friday is her chance to shine and help the Kestrels get back to the state final.
Players to watch for Beaverton – Junior outside hitter Molly Gerow has picked a fine time to be on the hottest run of her prep career. After putting down 24 kills in a three-set regional final victory, she followed that up with 25 kills in a sweep of St. Francis in Tuesday’s quarterfinal. We have seen single players get locked in and will their team to a title in Battle Creek. Gerow looks ready to put in that kind of effort. Setter Mady Pahl will also be important. She has to recognize when Gerow is on a roll and also be able to work in her teammates to keep opponents guessing. If Pahl is in sync with her hitters, Beaverton could play spoiler.
Prediction – There’s a lot of reasons on paper to expect SMCC to roll in this one, but I think Beaverton is going to make this a match. The Beavers aren’t going to be lacking in any confidence and will come in with a chip on their shoulder. The north isn’t given much recognition for its play, so Beaverton is representing more than just its school. SMCC will be composed and ready as well, but the Kestrels have dropped a few sets this postseason and have their vulnerable spots. I don’t see Beaverton pulling off the upset as a whole, but I think this match is a dark horse to be one of the best of the weekend. SMCC over Beaverton in four