D3/D4 Showdown Preview: Team Breakdown (Pt. 2)
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One of the biggest tournaments of the year is just days away. We’re bringing the best of the best in Division 3 and Division 4 four one epic showdown. Only taking the best of the best from each division, we…
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Continue ReadingOne of the biggest tournaments of the year is just days away. We’re bringing the best of the best in Division 3 and Division 4 four one epic showdown.
Only taking the best of the best from each division, we have returning state champions, alongside some heavy favorites for this year’s tournament. It’s all here at the St. Joe’s Sports Complex at Schoolcraft College.
Let’s take a look at the teams in attendance and what they’re bringing to the showdown.
Calumet
Coming into the D3/4 Showdown, Calumet sits just outside the top ten of the Division 3 Top 25 Rankings. This team could make a huge splash during this weekend’s tournament. This squad is led by the returning PAC Player of the Year in OH Helen Beiring. Beiring has been a tyrant offensively this season, averaging upwards of five kills per set. Offensively, she’s top notch and she brings that high level play to her back court work, too.
Cass City
Cass City is very easily a favorite for this year’s Division 3 race. They had a historic 2021 season that saw the Hawks a mere three points away from a Quarter-Final match. The Hawks return All-State MB Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI , and in 2022 Ignash is averaging over four kills per set at a high efficiency. Alongside her are a pair of dynamic pin attackers with Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI and Lexi Champagne who will for sure keep the opponent’s defense honest.
Erie Mason
An underdog going into the showdown, Erie-Mason has a lot of potential for some upset minded play this weekend. This crew is quite scrappy and can find ways to score when in crunch. Leading the flock in their efforts is MB Elizabeth Sweeney. Only a sophomore, Sweeney is still coming into her own, but shows huge signs of rockstar potential.
Jackson Lumen Christi
Another underdog coming into the tournament is future Catholic High School League member, Jackson Lumen Christi. Christi have been a bit up and down all season, still trying to find their footing. This team can battle however, the matter is of whether they can finish or not. The Titans will have to put up a big fight this weekend with such heavy weights in their field.
Pewamo-Westphalia
Another team that just narrowly missed out on a Quarter-Final match in 2021. Pewamo-Westphalia is another heavy favorite for this year’s D3 race and a heavy favorite for the D3/4 Showdown. Led by S Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI , OH Dani Pohl and MB Saige Martin Saige Martin 6'0" | MB Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI , these three players make up for one killer trio to try and defend. Smith, at 6’1, is a dominating presence on the court with her ability to attack on two and her high contact of the ball causing a lot of fits for defenders.
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