Top D3 defenses for 2022

As the 2022 prep season approaches with each passing day, excitement grows for the potential of each team.   In Division 3, we should see some really high-end defensive play. A lot of the top units feature players that give maximum effort on each point and are good at scrambling to keep a point alive.   Here's a look at 11 teams in Division 3 expected to lead the way in defense to start the 2022 season. (in alphabetical order)   Bridgman: The Bees have some key pieces back to make for a strong defensive team. Peyton Oman is a great libero that is back for her senior year and playing with a lot of confidence. Junior Bella Gearhart is a setter/outside that is a fundamentally sound defender as well. Up front, Tatyanna Hill was a freshman phenom with her blocking and ready for a breakout year. Takiya Cornelius is also a strong contributor to the defense around the court as an outside.   Bronson: The Vikings graduated some great senior leaders, especially defensively. However, Bronson is a program that bases itself on being fundamentally sound. I still expect it to bring a strong defense to the floor in 2022. A pair of young middles in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='156288' first='Aubree' last='Calloway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='595381' first='Payton' last='Springstead'] will be a helpful asset for the new libero, as will junior setter Brealyn Lasky, who puts in a lot of defensive effort herself.   McBain: The Ramblers still have some questions to answer in the back row, but securing its passers should be aided by a strong crew of blockers up front. Gabrielle VerBerkmoes and [player_tooltip player_id='152532' first='Linde' last='VanderVlucht'] bring a lot of length and wingspan to the floor. They should be able to slow down attacks consistently to help the back row. Both also showcased their own passing skills.   North Muskegon: The Norsemen lose their starting libero, but do return senior DS Jaley Schultz, who is capable of taking on the lead defensive role. She has help around the court with setter [player_tooltip player_id='176599' first='Sami' last='Baker'] being an active defender as well, along with a strong block in senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='152523' first='Natalie' last='Pannucci'].   Pewamo-Westphalia: The Pirates did graduate a talented libero, but return almost everything else from a well-rounded team. P-W has standout outside Dani Pohl leading the way as a senior. She can do it all, including on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin'] and Sierra Schnieder are both active middles that get their hands on attacks, while setter [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] and OPP Chloe Hengesbach make key defensive plays as well.   Plymouth Christian: The Eagles have some challenges to address offensively, but should be able to get out to a fast start defensively in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton'] is a standout junior libero that was one of the best in Division 4 and now moves into the D3 pool. She will be aided by a pair of talented middles that can slow down opposing offenses in senior Lyndsay Weber and junior [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'].   Riverview Gabriel Richard: The Pioneers graduated their libero, but still have a lot of strong defensively-skilled players to rely on. Junior outside [player_tooltip player_id='153676' first='Natalie' last='Neubecker'] is solid all-around and a high-level defender. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='110289' first='Delaney' last='Cousino'] is able to play anywhere on the court and excel, while senior Lauren Pousak is a senior DS with a lot of experience. Richard also has senior 6'2” middle Faith Sibert to provide blocking, along with senior Emerson Cinglie.   Royal Oak Shrine: The Knights will be a tough team to deal with this year due to its defensive talent. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='152531' first='Norah' last='Tisko'] is a very reliable libero that puts her all into each point. Fellow senior Kathryn Mulcahy is a complimentary DS that gives Shrine a pair of great serve receive options. Margaret Jones is a dynamic hitter that uses her size and length very well on the block, but also has improving passing skills.   Shelby: The Tigers return senior libero Morgan Weirich, who was an absolute dig machine in 2021.  Helping her defensively is super sophomore outside [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'], an explosive, all-around talent. Along with her offensive skills, Gauthier is a great blocker and consistent passer. Senior middle Claire Gowell also is able to be a force on the block to aid the defensive effort.   SMCC: The Kestrels bring one of the top liberos in the state to the court in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']. Though used as an outside as well for SMCC, her defensive skills really shine through all over the court. Fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] is also a skilled all-around player. Her instincts on the block will be very valuable. Kyleigh Cobb is a returning senior defender that really strengthens the entire unit.   Watervliet: The Panthers will be a very experienced team in 2022. Defensively, Jaylie Querfurth is a strong effort player defensively. She is back for her senior year and accompanied by senior outside [player_tooltip player_id='173618' first='Samantha' last='Dietz'], who has very strong defensive instincts. Juniors Grace Chisek and Natalie Hart are big offensive pieces that make underrated defensive plays as well. The Panthers also have a slew of returning middles to make for a strong blocking team.

As the 2022 prep season approaches with each passing day, excitement grows for the potential of each team.