The Road to Kellogg Begins: Top Division 3 Contenders

<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   We may be on the cusp of opening day of the 2023 season, but it's never too early to get a peak at who the top dogs are. The road to Kellogg begins NOW!   Last season saw perennial powers stand tall and new faces emerge to the forefront. This year is looking to have a lot of shake-up throughout Divisions 1 through 4. We have a real fun season ahead of us.   Without further ado, let's check out the top contenders for the Division 3 title.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pewamo-Westphalia</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/10-Saige-Martin-2.jpg?w=634" alt="" class="wp-image-399214" style="width:168px;height:271px" width="168" height="271" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin']</figcaption></figure>   2022 was the year of Pewamo-Westphalia! Trails ablaze and no looking back, this first ever champion took home all the marbles! Can they make it a double feature?   With 2022's Division 3 championship, this marked the second straight season where a first time champion was crowned - across ALL divisions. The greatness was quarter backed by one of the top setters in the 2024 class, [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] (Eastern Michigan). An 2x All-State selection and 2022 Division 3 MVP, Smith has curated herself an argument for a Miss Volleyball nominee as well as another title run this fall.   While Smith loses a big piece to her weaponry from last season, OH Dani Pohl (Belmont Abbey), she returns still a great deal of firepower, particularly in the middle. This is going to be a VERY middle heavy offense. MB [player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin'] was another All-State selection and led the team in hit percentage from a season ago. Joined alongside her is MB Bridget Nobach. The two make up an imoeccable 1-2 punch offensively and will surely be called upon much more to fill in the gap of the offensively load left by Pohl.   Defensively, L Caroline Hengesbach is arguably one of the top returning 'bros in Division 3. A relentless defender and steady passer, Hengesbach's play is an under-appreciated gem for this highly effective scoring squad.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Mary's Catholic Central</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC01269.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-411548" style="width:163px;height:244px" width="163" height="244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']</figcaption></figure>   After the upset heard around the world in 2021 with the five set barn burner with Reese in the championship, St. Mary's Catholic Central was then thrown into the gauntlet early in post season play in 2022 with future champs P-W and top ranked Plymouth Christian appearing in the regional rounds. Could 2023 be the year that SMCC reasserts their dominance over Division 3 volleyball?   This could very much be the year of the Kestrels. The grand return to Kellogg Arena. SMCC returns a duo of nationally recognized players in L [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] (Utah) and OH [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']. This duo has been playing year round ball together since early middle school. The two have developed to be one of the best passing combinations in the entire state and both have the abilities to play multiple positions. We could see Payne in the libero jersey or doing a combination of attacking and setting. Costlow has the capabilities to hit just about anywhere along the net in dominating fashion.   This 2025 duo is then joined by a class of 2026 duo in OH [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] and UT [player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie']. Dettling had a remarkable debut with the Kestrals last season across from Costlow. Meanwhile, Beaudrie was running the offense for the JV team. Both of these players played big roles with 15 Mizuno this past club season. Roles that saw them substantially sidelined for a chunk of the season as both were recovering with injuries. Towards the end of club season, the two were looking at peak performance and will be ready to go.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plymouth Christian</h2>   Last season marked the first in Division 3 for Plymouth Christian. For as long as I can remember this has been one of the top guns in Division 4 volleyball. This program went for back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017 in Division 4. Despite the move up, Christian is still a top ranked team in their respective division. They haven't been back to Kellogg since the 2017, is 2023 the year of the Eagle?   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/84-Allison-Pilat.jpg?w=934" alt="[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']" class="wp-image-170148" style="width:182px;height:199px" width="182" height="199" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']</figcaption></figure>   Much like SMCC, this is could very well be the year that the DJ Kellogg-led crew makes it back for a title run. Plymouth Christian has on tap a sister duo that is shaping up to be a pretty stout one to take on. Sr OH Allie Pilat (Cedarville) has been an All-State performer her entire career. Pilat is one of the most dominating pin attackers in the state and a potential Miss Volleyball candidate. Joined alongside her for one more season is little sister, So OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']. Riley was too honored with All-State honors in her debut campaign as a middle blocker. While it's unknown where young Pilat will be utilized, wherever it is, she will be bring the heat. Riley played a similar role for MiElite's 15 Mizuno squad this club season where played just about everywhere along the net.   Other key returners include OH [player_tooltip player_id='288956' first='Sophia' last='Kellogg'] and S Claire Binder. Kellogg is another 2022 All-State honoree for this squad and is coming off of a really big club season. With the trio of attackers like Kellogg and the Pilat's, its going to be a tough act to follow. Binder was right alongside Kellogg this club season and saw similar gains in her game. This team is much improved from last fall and could surely shake things up in the Division 3 space.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cass City</h2>   It was the year of firsts for many teams in Division 3. For Cass City, this was a first state semifinal since the 1980s. After a nearly decade long stretch of top ten ranked teams to bow out in the district rounds, the Red Hawks broke through the mold in 2021 with a regional final match - losing in a 13-15 decider to the eventual champions, Reese. Then in 2022, they would push the envelope even further with a first ever appearance in Kellogg Arena. Despite being handed a beat down by the eventual champs, could the Hawks make this a repeat year and push the envelope even FURTHER?!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/5-Kacee-Gray.jpg?w=827" alt="" class="wp-image-403670" style="width:214px;height:265px" width="214" height="265" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']</figcaption></figure>   It would seem quite likely that Cass City could go for a deep run into the tournament this year. Led by one of the most dominating arms in the entire state, MB [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] has established her dominance early on in her career and has yet to let up. Ignash comes off of a really successful club season, alongside SMCC duo Payne and Costlow, where she played a vital role in a Runner-Up finish at AAUs and a Top Ten finish at USAV Nationals. With the heightened experience and level of play, Ignash could lead in even more ways than just her physicality this fall.   Alongside Ignash, she's joined by her dynamic duo OH [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']. Ignash and Gray have been together on varsity since their freshman years and are two of the main reasons for this program's glow up. Gray is an All-State selection from 2022 and will surely look to earn another. Gray has big hops and a high IQ that elevate her game much further than her 5'7 frame suggests. Other key returners include OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='595976' first='Lexi' last='Champagne'] and OH Josie Spencer.   Cass City is dealt with significant losses though. Not only do they lose S Saylar Cuthrell (Northwood-Softball), but they also lose not one, but two middle candidates to transfer and exit from the team. This team will be young, but very viable for a run nonetheless.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shelby </h2>   Rounding out the top contenders for the title this year, we have the Shelby Tigers. While this may be a far fetched projection, its not so far when you consider they boast one of, if not, the best attacker in the state - OH [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] (Ohio State). Shelby nearly took down Kalamazoo Christian in last year's post season.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/06/FAR-OUT-15AA.jpeg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-204037" style="width:183px;height:244px" width="183" height="244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier']</figcaption></figure>   Like we previewed, Shelby boasts one of the most physical and dominating presences in all of Michigan Volleyball. Gauthier not only led this team in kills, but led the entire state in kills with nearly 1,000 in 2022. Gauthier was just 13 kills shy of eclipsing the monument. Give her another set last season and that would've been all hers. Gauthier does a lot for this team. Leading Shelby in total points, the next highest scorer comes over 1,000 points behind Gauthier.   While Gauthier carried a big load for the Tigers, this team graduated a small senior class. With another year of experience under the belt and a the goal of Kellogg on the radar. This could be a very dangerous Shelby squad come November.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Others to Consider</h2>   Traverse City St. Francis - Reese - Valley Lutheran - Kalamazoo Christian   It's been quite sometime since St. Francis has graced the stage of Kellogg, but I have I feeling that drought won't last long. 2018 was, in fact, the last time St. Francis made the trek to Battle Creek. This team brings a lot of talented youth on board to a really respectable program in Division 3. OH [player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'] is coming off of a huge club season and will surely be a dominating presence this fall.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/12-Annelise-de-Jong-scaled.jpg?w=909" alt="" class="wp-image-249529" style="width:199px;height:224px" width="199" height="224" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Annelise de Jong</figcaption></figure>   Like we touched upon, Reese did the unthinkable. They took down the beast. 2021 Division 3 title match was the upset heard around the world. A first ever title in Reese Volleyball history, but a first ever state title across ALL sports. Reese however returns no remnants of that epic run. Even down to the coaching staff, they enter 2023 with a brand new look. Former Coach, Angie Compton, now heads up the emerging NJCAA program at Delta College. The Rockets do return All-Conference performer and Rookie of the Year, L [player_tooltip player_id='226941' first='Jaidyn' last='Vanochten'].   The team that took down the reigning champs in district play a season ago. It is very rare to see Valley Lutheran without a squad capable of a deep tournament run. This coming fall should look no different. The Chargers return OH Alayna Adamski, an All-Region performer a season ago.   Kalamazoo Christian muscled their way all the way to a title match last November. Led by a big front row and steady defensive play, KZoo returns to the 2023 season with the potential to return but will have to make up for the loss of All-State MB Marissa Fetterly (UM-Dearborn). The Comets return OH Holland Devries and OPP Annelise De Jong.