D3/D4 SHOWDOWN: Team Previews (Pt 1)

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em> (APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's one of the hottest tournaments of the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bringing in some of the top teams in the state from Divisions 3 and 4, it's the battle of the small school! Last year saw this tournament nearly predict the final four in Division 3. With Pewamo Westphalia, last year's showdown winners, going on to win the Division 3 title. Cass City and Calumet were other highlights from last year's showdown that made the run to Kellogg as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will this year be just as predictive? We'll have to find out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's break down the teams making their way to Schoolcraft College for the epic Division 3 and 4 Showdown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cass City</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":357924,"width":238,"height":209,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/5-Kacee-Gray-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-357924" style="width:238px;height:209px" width="238" height="209" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently ranked within the top ten of the latest MIVCA polls in Division 3, the showdown will be Cass City's first test in a few weeks. As of late, the Hawks have been steamrolling over their opponents. Sweeping in each of their four last matches by margins of 10 or more each set, Cass City has been cruising along. I'll be curious to see how they fare against other top teams in their division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Hawks bring in two of the top players in the state with MB [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (Texas Tech) and OH [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']. The two have been the undeniable 1-2 punch that are combining for an 8 kill per set average in the last few weeks. Alongside them are some pretty nice pieces that are picking up the pace as of late. S [player_tooltip player_id='250066' first='Isabelle' last='Phillips'] and OH <strong>Josie Johnson</strong> have been looking top tier coming into the second half of the season. Phillips has recently moved into running a 5-1 offense and excelling. Meanwhile Johnson is getting more and more comfortable as a six rotation outlet on the left pin for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Manchester</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upon looking at their record, you wonder how this team will look coming in. Upon further research however, you begin to see that Manchester's 7-8 record is indicative to how strong they have scheduled themselves. In their opening weekend of the season, Manchester took on some of the biggest teams in the state with Jenison, South Christian and DeWitt. Since then, they've won eight of their next ten matches. Could the battle tested Flying Dutch turn some heads this weekend?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manchester is being led by one of the top emerging outsides in Division 3 with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732217' first='Savannah' last='Flint']</strong>. A complete six rotation player, Flint not only leads this team at the net, but in the back court as well. With over 140 kills and 200 digs so far on the season, Flint acts as the heartbeat to this Dutch squad. Along her, getting her time to shine in a 5-1 offense is S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523623' first='Grace' last='Majewski']</strong>. A stellar QB1, Majewski is also the commander of the net, leading the Dutch in blocks with 26 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mendon </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mendon has been a little quiet these last few years, but 2023 has been the year of the Green Hornets in Division 4. A team that currently sits atop the Division 4 Rankings at No .2 in the latest poll, Mendon is coming into the showdown with a lot of fire. This is a squad that is battle tested with a lot of powerhouse programs in the area, including a recent sweep over No. 9 ranked Colon and HM Athens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets are looking to even further battle test themselves this season. The showdown will act as Mendon's first preview to some of the east side squads they may come across further into the tournament in November. Mendon is led by a sophomore defensive dandy in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson']</strong>. In the win over Colon, Samson picked up 27 digs. Leading the charge at the net is MB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462076' first='Alicyn' last='Arevalo']</strong>, Arevalo is the captain of this squad and leader in point scoring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":399214,"width":178,"height":287,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <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:178px;height:287px" width="178" height="287" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pewamo Westphalia</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here they come. The returning 2022 D3/D4 Showdown Champions and the reigning Division 3 state champions. Last year saw Pewamo Westphalia on a terror from opening weekend to the last point of the season. There was nobody getting in the way of this squad's success. This season is looking to be much like last. Could PW pull off the repeat win this year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pewamo Westphalia is charging into the weekend at an alarming 35-0-2 record! Seemingly untouchable in the Division 3 space. The only team that has come remotely close to downing the Pirates are fellow Showdown attendees, Plymouth Christian. (An epic showdown in the finals? Yes, Please!) This team is led by the typical suspects, S [player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] (Eastern Michigan) and MB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin']</strong>. Alongside them, we're starting to see some other names forge themselves to the forefront. OH <strong>Natalie Thelen</strong> has been having a huge year and filling in the gap left behind by OH <strong>Dani Pohl</strong> a season ago. MB <strong>Bridget Nobach</strong> has been a spark plug in the middle as well, opposite of Martin, handing some stellar numbers on offense and defense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->