Top Six Teams to Watch in Division 3

After breaking down Divisions 1 and 2, we're going to keep the party going with Division 3. This division is riddled with perennial powers, since 2010, only five teams have been able to take home the title. St. Mary Catholic Central has acquired five titles over the time, with Bronson winning three and Morley-Stanwood, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, and Reese with a single title a piece.   Last year's Division 3 tournament was one for the history books as it saw Reese on an upset train from the opening round of Districts until the state championship match. In the title game, they halted the powers of St. Mary Catholic Central from running away with their eighth title in program history.   2022 will look to be another hot year in Division 3 and could see another first timer take the crown.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1462093585684340736?s=20&t=Gqe3j19IAsQKsl0DzJa4bQ </div></figure>   <h2>Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central</h2>   Starting off strong in Division 3 is the power house of the division, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. Within the last three season, SMCC took home the ultimate title twice and placing runner-up last season. Arguably one of the biggest stories of 2021 was the upset in the title match, SMCC up 2-0 to ultimately drop the game and the title to newbies, Reese. Despite this loss though, the Kestrels were being led by two freshmen that will just get better and better over their time in the program. A dangerous warning to competitors.   The two freshmen, now sophomores in question, are OH [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] and OH/L [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']. Both All-State honorees in their debut season and both National Semifinalists with Michigan Elite Volleyball, these two know how to perform under the big lights. The title game saw the two combine for 43 kills. While this dynamic duo returns, SMCC will have to figure out how to fill in the loss of first team All-State performer, S [player_tooltip player_id='24850' first='Kate' last='Collingsworth']. Collingsworth ran a well-oiled machine and leaves some pretty big shoes to fill without an apparent heir.   Key Returners: OH [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] & OH/L [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']   Key Losses: S [player_tooltip player_id='24850' first='Kate' last='Collingsworth'] & MB Audrey Cousino   Watch Out: OH/OPP Madeline Dettling   <h2>Royal Oak Shrine Catholic</h2>   Royal Oak Shrine Catholic was another team that was subject to the upset train that was the Reese Rockets. Shrine was the obvious pick to be in the final four alongside SMCC and West Michigan Christian. Just like the Kestrels though, the Knights return some critical pieces from last season to breakthrough to Kellogg.   The big returnees in question are All-State honorees, L [player_tooltip player_id='152531' first='Norah' last='Tisko'] and MB Margaret Jones. Combined, the two create quite the defensive unit for the Knights, whatever Jones doesn't eat up at the net, Tisko will in the back court. With Tisko's high level ball control, this keeps Shrine in-system constantly and able to give the ball to Jones almost always. The two will look to capitalize on the success of last season and make a big run into the tournament.   Key Returners: L [player_tooltip player_id='152531' first='Norah' last='Tisko'] & MB Margaret Jones   <h2>Reese</h2>   The Cinderella story for the ages. I don't believe anyone would've guessed that Reese of all teams would be the 2021 Division 3 state champions. To be honest, not a lot of people pegged the Rockets to make it out of Districts! Talk about being the underdog. They were lead by two of the best to ever wear a Reese uniform, [player_tooltip player_id='172182' first='Maddi' last='Osantowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172183' first='Aydan' last='Dalak']. Both graduated and gone, they take with them a very talented class that left their mark as well at Reese High. Could the Rockets come back for an epic repeat? If so, who will lead this team?   Reese loses a lot from their bench but they return some valuable pieces for the epic 2021 run. The two biggest ones to watch will be [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten'] and Abby Karst. Vanochten will look to continue her versatility this season. Last season, Vanochten came in as the back up setter to Dalak before taking over the libero jersey. But when a midseason illness had her sidelined, she became a valuable defensive specialist and server for the Rockets. Karst was the team's leading blocker and embraced the role quite well. So much so, it was her very block that secured Reese's first ever state championship.   Key Returners: UT [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten'] & MB Abby Karst   Key Losses: OH [player_tooltip player_id='172182' first='Maddi' last='Osantowski'] (Cornerstone), S [player_tooltip player_id='172183' first='Aydan' last='Dalak'] (Bluefield State), OH Sarah Gray (Saginaw Valley State - Track), MB Andi Reinert (Michigan State - Rowing), L [player_tooltip player_id='172186' first='Josie' last='Johnson']   Watch Out: L Jaidyn Vanochten   <h2>McBain</h2>   The difference between McBain being a semifinalist and in the championship game last season was a matter of two points in three sets. On paper, McBain was swept by the Kestrels in the semis last year, but they didn't go down without a total brawl. Each set was on the decider of two points, 25-23 in the first two and 26-24 in the third. But also on paper, McBain out attacked and out dug the Kestrels. The difference maker came behind the service line, with SMCC topping McBain 8-4 in aces. It was that slim margin that made the difference but luckily for Ramblers, they return both of their All-State honorees and then some for one last season.   Yes, this is quite the special group that could potentially be in luck for a rematch in Kellogg this season. McBain returns their setter and two of their top scorers, S Analiese Fredin, MB Gabrielle VerBerkmoes, and MB [player_tooltip player_id='152532' first='Linde' last='VanderVlucht']. VerBerkmoes and VanderVlucht can combine for a constant threat in the middle with their offensive prowess and towering blocks. A big question that will come with them into 2022 is will they have the ball control to keep feeding these dynamos in the middle?   Key Returners: S Analiese Fredin, MB Gabrielle VerBerkmoes, and MB [player_tooltip player_id='152532' first='Linde' last='VanderVlucht']   Key Losses: OH/DS Jersey Scott (Rochester) & OH Emma Schierbeek (Ferris State - Basketball)     <h2>Cass City</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1469687462725308417?s=20&t=Gqe3j19IAsQKsl0DzJa4bQ </div></figure>   After ten long years, Cass City finally broke through the District Final hump. In their defense, in these last ten years, it was the supremacy of Unionville-Sebewaing volleyball in their way. But when I say they broke through, they skyrocketed and found themselves a mere three points away from a Regional title in 2021. Yes, like every other team on here, the Red Hawks fell to conference foe, Reese in the final. But this loss is nothing to pout over because it shows Cass City is just getting started.   And by getting started, I mean they had one of the best freshmen duos in the state! Now sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] put the volleyball world on its head last season and showed no signs of slowing down. Ignash is the middle dynamo with one of the most terrorizing slides you'll find and Gray was the high flying outside that knew just how to take care of the ball. The two return a big core round them including setter [player_tooltip player_id='172194' first='Saylar' last='Cuthrell']. With the only important losses coming from the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='172184' first='Kalee' last='Gray'], the Red Hawks have a great foundation to go even further this time around.   Key Returners: MB [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], OH [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'], S [player_tooltip player_id='172194' first='Saylar' last='Cuthrell']   Key Losses: MB [player_tooltip player_id='172184' first='Kalee' last='Gray']   <h2>Plymouth Christian</h2>   Plymouth Christian may be the new kid on the block in Division 3, but they are no stranger no championship success. They are a storied program in Division 4 with a couple of titles under Coach DJ Kellogg's belt and will look to make some noise in Division 3 this season. Last season saw Plymouth Christian in conversation for a deep post season run since the beginning of the season and seemed like they were going to return to Kellogg. But they had a tough road a head of them and fell to eventual Semifinalists, Allen Park Inter-City Baptist, in the the Regional Final.   A name that will quickly become household and a name you should know as soon as possible, Pilat. The Pilat sisters will be a huge driving force in the success of the Eagles this season. Allie Pilat is a junior attacking dynamo and amassed first team All-State honors last season. And like her sister, freshman Riley Pilat will look to be as versatile of an attacker as her older sister. The two are highly skilled at attacking anywhere along the net, while boasting some impressive ball control in the back court.   Key Returners: OH/MB Allie Pilat, MB Lyndsay Weber, & L [player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton']   Key Losses: S Hallie Creighton   Watch Out: OH/MB Riley Pilat

After breaking down Divisions 1 and 2, we're going to keep the party going with Division 3. This division is riddled with perennial powers, since 2010, only five teams have been able to take home the title. St. Mary Catholic Central has acquired five titles over the time, with Bronson winning three and Morley-Stanwood, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, and Reese with a single title a piece.