Standout Underclassmen At D3 Finals
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The Division 3 semifinals and finals didn’t quite have as many underclassmen on display as some of the others, but there was still promising future talent competing. Cass City led the way with a strong sophomore class, while Kalamazoo Christian…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 3 semifinals and finals didn’t quite have as many underclassmen on display as some of the others, but there was still promising future talent competing.
Cass City led the way with a strong sophomore class, while Kalamazoo Christian and Calumet also had some underclassmen contribute.
The eventual champion, Pewamo-Westphalia, was a very experienced team, which is perhaps what helped the Pirates win the title.
Still, here’s a look at the underclassmen that made a name for themselves in Battle Creek for the Division 3 finals.
Kalamazoo Christian
Annelise de Jong, Soph. RS: de Jong was part of the offensive rotation for the Comets and is likely to see an increased role in 2023. In the semifinal with Calumet, Kalamazoo Christian had one kill, three digs and four assisted blocks. In the final, de Jong put down five kills while hitting .333.
Cass City
Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI , Soph. MH: Ignash is definitely a big star in the Class of 2025. She’s got the size and athleticism to be a dominant player and can make plays a lot of middles her age can’t. In the semifinal with P-W, Ignash recorded 14 kills while hitting .400. She also had nine digs.
Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI , Soph. OH: Gray is a great compliment for Ignash on the outside. She took on the most swings for the Red Hawks in the semifinal and finished with nine kills. Gray also added nine digs and three assists.
Alexis Champagne, Soph. OH: Another young hitter for Cass City, Champagne had five kills and three digs. She also added a solo block.
Isabelle Phillips, Soph. DS: Phillips saw action in all three sets of the semifinal with P-W. She finished with four digs, one kill and one assist.
Calumet
Jackie Kilunen, Soph. OH: Kilunen was all over the court in the five-set semifinal with Kalamazoo Christian. She recorded 19 digs while adding four kills and two assists.
Madelyn Torola, Soph. RS: The 6-foot right side had a solid showing for the Copper Kings, as she recorded seven kills while hitting .263 in the semifinal with Kalamazoo Christian. She also had five digs and two assisted blocks.