Division 3 Regional Breakdowns & Predictions
Division 3 still has the cloud of the two-time defending state champs looming. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central is playing well and on its way toward a 3-peat, but a lot of D3 powers are also still alive and looking…
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Continue ReadingDivision 3 still has the cloud of the two-time defending state champs looming.
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central is playing well and on its way toward a 3-peat, but a lot of D3 powers are also still alive and looking for a chance to unseat the Kestrels.
This week will be a big test for most of the top-10 squads still standing, as regionals can provide upsets all around.
Here’s our picks for this week’s D3 regional tournaments.
Related: Division 1 Regional Predictions
Related: Division 2 Regional Predictions
Related: Division 4 Regional Predictions
Regional 17 at St. Ignace
Semifinal Matchups: Calumet vs. Iron Mountain; Charlevoix vs. Elk Rapids
Breakdown: This region looks like it will come down to a pair of top-10 teams in Calumet and Charlevoix. It’s hard to go against the Copper Kings, who absolutely ran through their district, not allowing more than 10 points in seven of their nine sets. Finals Prediction: Calumet over Charlevoix
Regional 18 at Houghton Lake
Semifinal Matchups: Sanford Meridian vs. McBain; Beaverton vs. Tawas
Breakdown: McBain sits No. 9 in our final D3 rankings and the Ramblers look like a real contender to get to Battle Creek. The challenge that sits in their way this week could be Beaverton. The Beavers lost a lot from their 2020 squad, but they still are a back-to-back semifinal squad. Beaverton is going to be tough to knock out of this tournament, regardless of rankings. Finals Prediction: McBain over Beaverton
Regional 19 at Muskegon Western Michigan Christian
Semifinal Matchups: NorthPointe Christian vs. Shelby; Morley Stanwood vs. WMC
Breakdown: A real strong region, but the visiting teams will have a hard time overcoming the host school and top-ranked team in D3. The Warriors have power at the net that nobody in D3 has been able to match thus far. Kyla Wiersema Kyla Wiersema 6'0" | MB Western Michigan Christian | 2022 State MI is certainly a game-changer in the middle and she should be the reason WMC is able to make it through the week. Finals Prediction: WMC over NorthPointe Christian
Regional 20 at Centreville
Semifinal Matchups: Bronson vs. Watervliet; Decatur vs. Kalamazoo Christian
Breakdown: Bronson has come into the regional playing some good volleyball, sweeping their way through three matches last week. Their program pedigree is going to be important this week and something the likes of their opponents don’t quite have. Watervliet and Kalamazoo Christian are a pair of ranked teams that could stand in their way, but Bronson seems very in-tune right now. Finals Prediction: Bronson over Kalamazoo Christian
Regional 21 at Dansville
Semifinal Matchups: Dansville vs. Pewamo-Westphalia; Jonesville vs. Napoleon
Breakdown: Pewamo-Westphalia gets a familiar foe in the regional semifinal with a fellow CMAC squad. The Pirates are ranked third in our final D3 rankings. They have the athletes and mental toughness to potentially win the whole state tournament this year. I don’t see the Pirates making any major miscues this week against three upset-minded squads. Finals Prediction: P-W over Napoleon
Regional 22 at Sand Creek
Semifinal Matchups: Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Brooklyn Columbia Central; SMCC vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills
Breakdown: This is a solid regional to challenge the two-time defending D3 champions. Columbia Central has been hovering around the top 10 all season and can play with the best when at full speed. The difference is likely to be championship experience. While the Kestrels have a lot of new faces on the court from the 2020 D3 championship squad, the culture is still entrenched in this year’s roster. Finals Prediction: SMCC over Columbia Central
Regional 23 at Memphis
Semifinal Matchups: Sandusky vs. Detroit Voyageur College Prep; Royal Oak Shrine vs. Lutheran Northwest
Breakdown: This region is interesting as it features four teams that didn’t crack out final Top 25 rankings. It’s a big opportunity to reach a quarterfinal for these squads, but Royal Oak Shrine is a team that can rely on its experience last season. The Knights reached the 2020 D3 quarterfinals and that run will be key throughout the week during the tough sets. Finals Prediction: Royal Oak Shrine over Sandusky
Regional 24 at Caro
Semifinal Matchups: Cass City vs. Hemlock; Burton Bentley vs. Reese
Breakdown: Cass City is ranked No. 11 and Reese No. 13, and both teams find themselves with a chance to meet up in Thursday’s final. The league rivals have had competitive matchups during the season and a rematch would make for a great regional final. They can’t look past Tuesday’s opponents and I don’t think they will. Finals Prediction: Cass City over Reese