Five teams that could shake up Division 3 in 2021

<p>The Division 3 Final Four has been the exact same the last two seasons.</p> <p>In 2021, it may be time for a shake-up.</p> <p>With the 2020 field at Kellogg Arena comprised of senior-driven squads, Division 3 looks like it could have a much different look at this year’s finals.</p> <p>Here’s five teams that may be able to breakthrough and reach the next level in 2021.</p> <h4><strong>Morley Stanwood</strong></h4> <p>The Mohawks were a few sets away from being a quarterfinalist in 2020. They will come into the 2021 season with one luxury that no other team in D3 will have, a returning First Team All-State honoree. That is outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24840" first="Braelyn" last="Berry"]</strong>, who is a factor all over the court. She’s definitely a player that can take over the game. Middle <strong>Madison Garbow </strong>is also back to be a great compliment in the middle for Berry. The Mohawks also bring back some experienced passers, as well as one of two starting setters from last year in <strong>Emilee Cornell</strong>.</p> <h4><strong>Western Michigan Christian</strong></h4> <p>While losing a pair of captains, WMC still returns five all-league honorees from their 2020 squad, which should make them a top team to be reckoned with in Division 3. Leading the way is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60835" first="Kyla" last="Wiersema"]</strong>, a dynamic outside hitter that was Second Team All-State last fall. Also returning will be <strong>Madison Wiersema</strong>, <strong>Kendal Young</strong>, <strong>Haley Breuker </strong>and <strong>Elizabeth Mast</strong>. Mast and Madison Wiersema are complimentary hitters on the outside and the middle, while Young is a setting option and Breuker is a solid defender. The Warriors have experience at every position, which will go a long way in 2021.</p> <h4><strong>Reese</strong></h4> <p>The Rockets weren’t able to get past the district opener last year, but still took a set from eventual semifinalist Valley Lutheran. The offseason has likely been filled with motivation for Reese, which brings back a solid group from that 2020 squad. <strong>Maddi Osantowski </strong>is another dynamic outside that will be back in D3 after earning All-State Honorable Mention honors in 2020. Setter <strong>Aydan Dalak </strong>is another HM honoree that is back to feed Osantowski the ball. Libero <strong>Josie Johnson </strong>is also back after earning All-league honors last fall. Those are great foundation pieces to build on and try to make a deep postseason run.</p> <h4><strong>Riverview Gabriel Richard</strong></h4> <p>Richard had an interesting mix of veterans and underclassmen in 2020. Those underclassmen will look to take on bigger roles this upcoming season. Outside <strong>Natalie Neubecker </strong>was among the team leaders in kills and aces as a freshman, earning All-Region honors in the process. Fellow outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110289" first="Delaney" last="Cousino"] </strong>also made an impact as a freshman, giving the Pioneers an interesting 1-2 combo as sophomores. In the middle, <strong>Faith Sibert </strong>was an impact sophomore that returns for her junior year. <strong>Sarah Collins </strong>will be a senior leader in the back row as a libero to help keep the young hitters focused. If Richard can find its new starting setter without many hiccups, the Pioneers should definitely be in the mix in Division 3.</p> <h4><strong>North Muskegon</strong></h4> <p>The Norsemen made a regional appearance in 2020 before falling to Calvin Christian. The team loses some big pieces in outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="89361" first="Syann" last="Fairfield"] </strong>and setter <strong>Emma Houseman</strong>, but the team can build behind middle <strong>Natalie Pannucci</strong>, who was a real force on offense and defense last fall as a sophomore. The Norsemen will have a lot of veteran passers to work with in <strong>Grace Vander Woude</strong>, <strong>Megan Houseman </strong>and <strong>Josee Cooke. </strong>That should help them ease into the transition of a new starting setter and new primary outsides. While North Muskegon may have some early struggles, by the end of the season the Norsemen could be a big factor in the Division 3 postseason.</p>