The Division 3 offensive pool is looking quite deep and treacherous as we approach the prep season.
A lot of powerful hitters are returning, and a lot of programs bring back an experience offensive front.
Here's a look at 12 teams we expect to be leading the way offensively to start the 2022 season. (in alphabetical order)
<strong>Bronson: </strong>Always one of the top contenders in Division 3, Bronson brings a lot of talented young offensive players for 2022. <strong>Brealyn Lasky</strong> will lead the way as a junior setter with a great family legacy in the program. She has a pair of talented sophomore hitters to work with in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156288" first="Aubree" last="Calloway"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595381' first='Payton' last='Springstead']</strong>.
<strong>Kalamazoo Christian: </strong>The Comets have a three-headed monster at the net for 2022. Junior outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="176604" first="Holland" last="DeVries"] </strong>and <strong>Makenna Ekkens</strong> lead the way at the pins, while senior <strong>Marisa Fetterley </strong>can finish consistently in the middle.
[caption id="attachment_207873" align="alignright" width="171"]<img class="wp-image-207873" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/McBain-7-Gabrielle-VerBerkmoes-2-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="171" height="239" /> Gabrielle VerBerkmoes[/caption]
<strong>McBain: </strong>The Ramblers graduated some big outsides, but return senior middle <strong>Gabrielle VerBerkmoes</strong>, who could be a dominant player in D3 this year. Fellow senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152532" first="Linde" last="VanderVlucht"] </strong>makes for a dynamic 1-2 punch at the position. Sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595377' first='Gwyneth' last='VerBerkmoes']</strong> is in for a breakout season, while senior setter <strong>Analiese Fredin</strong> is also back to command the arsenal.
<strong>North Muskegon: </strong>The Norsemen bring back a great foundation to its offense, led by senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152523" first="Natalie" last="Pannucci"]</strong>, who was the go-to hitter in 2021. Senior <strong>Joslynne Bogner</strong> and junior <strong>Allie Jensen </strong>are also back at the net. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="176599" first="Sami" last="Baker"] </strong>is also returning at setter to keep the offense flowing.
<strong>Pewamo-Westphalia: </strong>The Pirates made a nice postseason charge last year and should be a really strong offensive team again in 2022 with returning All-State setter, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172203" first="Taylor" last="Smith"]</strong>, along with All-State senior outside <strong>Dani Pohl</strong>.
<strong>Plymouth Christian: </strong>The Eagles will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153663" first="Allison" last="Pilat"]</strong>, the lone sophomore to make First Team All-State in D4 last year. She's able to play anywhere at the net and dominate. Senior <strong>Lyndsay Weber </strong>will provide a great 1-2 punch for PCA, which is bumping up to D3 for 2022.
<strong>Riverview Gabriel Richard: </strong>Gabriel Richard should be a tough out in the CHSL, as it has a lot of experience at the net. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110289" first="Delaney" last="Cousino"]</strong> is back to lead the Pioneer offense. She has powerful junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153676" first="Natalie" last="Neubecker"] </strong>returning, as well as senior middle <strong>Faith Sibert </strong>and senior OPP/middle <strong>Emerson Cinglie</strong>.
[caption id="attachment_170120" align="alignright" width="172"]<img class="wp-image-170120" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/12/55-Margaret-Jones-256x300.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="202" /> Margaret Jones[/caption]
<strong>Royal Oak Shrine: </strong>The Knights have one of the top all-around players in senior outside <strong>Margaret Jones</strong>. She brings a lot to the table offensively and is complimented by returning hitter, junior <strong>Alice Mikula</strong>. Primary setter <strong>Georgia True </strong>is back as a senior, while sophomore <strong>Lucy Kerr </strong>also was part of the rotation at setter as well.
<strong>Schoolcraft: </strong>The Eagles bring a really strong 1-2 punch to the net for 2021 behind senior outside <strong>Abbi Curtis </strong>and senior middle <strong>Heidi Sheen</strong>. They should be a handful for opposing D3 teams to compete with.
<strong>SMCC: </strong>The Kestrels were one of the strongest offenses in 2021 with a largely young roster. That should mean big things again in 2022. Hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156321" first="McKenna" last="Payne"]</strong> are two of the top sophomores in the state and a force at the net. They need a new starting setter and some complimentary hitters, but Costlow and Payne provide a great foundation.
<strong>Watervliet: </strong>The Panthers were a surprise quarterfinalist in 2021 and that should lead to a lot of momentum for 2022. They bring back senior All-State hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="173618" first="Samantha" last="Dietz"]</strong>, along with junior setter <strong>Grace Chisek </strong>and junior right side <strong>Natalie Hart</strong>. Altogether, Watervliet just graduated two from last year.
<strong>Western Michigan Christian: </strong>It may seem like a stretch given what WMC lost in the Wiersema twins, but I think the Warriors still have a lot to offer offensively in 2022. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156344" first="Hannah" last="Heiss"] </strong>and <strong>Abigail Leffring </strong>were two very promising freshmen outsides in 2021 as well. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="173610" first="Kendal" last="Young"]</strong> back as a senior setter to lead the team on the court, and junior middle <strong>Ashley Folkema</strong> back as well, this team still has a lot of talent.
