Nine Players to Watch at the D3/4 Showdown
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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.
We’ve given you the analysis of every single team in the 15 team showdown, now we’re here to give you the guide on who’s who coming into this weekend and who you should be keeping tabs on.
Let’s take a look at the nine of the best players coming into the D3/4 Showdown.
Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI – 6’1 OH/MB – Plymouth Christian
Easily one of the top prospects coming into this tournament is this hybrid attacker. Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI can hit just about any set you give her and she’ll do it with high velocity and precision. She’s Plymouth Christian’s leader in kills for a second season in a row and will be using her muscle all weekend long.
Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI – 6’1 MB – Cass City
One of the hottest names in the 2025 class, Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI plays at such a speed, not many can keep up with her. Like Pilat, Ignash is another athlete that can attack the ball at a high velocity, especially when she is running the slide. Any chance Ignash has to attack off of one foot, she’ll almost certainly put the ball away.
Jaidyn Vanochten Jaidyn Vanochten 5'5" | DS/L Reese | 2026 State MI – 5’4 L – Reese
We’ll be seeing a lot of fresh faces at this showdown, and one of the most exciting freshmen defenders. Jaidyn Vanochten Jaidyn Vanochten 5'5" | DS/L Reese | 2026 State MI , just in her rookie season, has taken over the reigns as libero for this state championship defending team. Vanochten has quickly been noted as one of the top receivers in the Thumb area and she’ll for sure be relied upon to keep Reese in system this weekend.
Norah Tisko Norah Tisko 5'8" | DS/L Royal Oak Shrine | 2023 State MI – 5’6 L – Royal Oak Shrine
From a freshman phenom to a senior veteran, Norah Tisko Norah Tisko 5'8" | DS/L Royal Oak Shrine | 2023 State MI knows a thing or two about manning down the back court. Tisko has been the leader of the defense for Royal Oak Shrine for a few seasons now. A deep run in the tournament and a successful club career, Tisko knows how to perform in big moments. Defensively, Tisko is one of the best and surely the best going into this weekend.
Helen Beiring – 5’10 OH – Calumet
She’s not the reigning PAC Player of the Year for nothing and she will show you why throughout the showdown. Beiring is an attacker that can generate a lot of force with very little. Not only is she a strong attacker, but her ability to move the ball around the court is impressive to say the least.
Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI – 6’1 S – Pewamo Westphalia
You could very easily consider Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI one of the top setters in the junior class. At 6’1, she poses a lot of potential threats at this position. Her high contact of the ball is so deceptive for blockers to read and she can change the flow of the game at an instant. Smith also likes to call her own number from time to time at an alarming efficiency.
Quinn Yenshaw Quinn Yenshaw 6'0" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 State MI – 6’0 OH – Traverse City St. Francis
She may be one of the youngest attackers in the field, but she’s playing like a veteran and will prove that to you fairly quick. A six rotation pin attacker that can not only attack at a high rate, but she can also pass the ball very well. Quinn Yenshaw Quinn Yenshaw 6'0" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 State MI has a lot of experience on the beach, which bodes her well during her indoor play.
Faith Sibert – 6’2 MB – Riverview Gabriel Richard
Large and in charge, Faith Sibert will keep plenty of opponents in line this weekend. Whether it is when she is attacking or when she is blocking, Sibert is a force to be reckoned with. An athlete who very well could be touching in the ten foot range, she’s virtually impossible to stop when she gets a hold of the ball.
Kendal Young Kendal Young 5'9" | S West Michigan Christian | 2023 State MI – 5’7 S – West Michigan Christian
Another elite setter coming into this showdown, Kendal Young Kendal Young 5'9" | S West Michigan Christian | 2023 State MI has been able to capitalize off of her success from the 2021-2022 year in both high school and club seasons to grow her game tremendously. A little undersized, maybe, but Young can run the offense so smooth that you tend to forget that part. Her leadership will have to show up big time during this weekend’s line up of opponents .
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