D3/D4 SHOWDOWN: Team Previews (Pt 2)
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It’s one of the hottest tournaments of the year.
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.
Will this year be just as predictive? We’ll have to find out.
Let’s break down the teams making their way to Schoolcraft College for the epic Division 3 and 4 Showdown!
Plymouth Christian
One of the top teams in Division 3 this season, Plymouth Christian is coming into the D3/4 Showdown with a lot of fire. Currently sitting atop the rankings at No. 4 in the latest MIVCA poll, Plymouth Christian has been taking on the gauntlet this season in preparation for ths showdown and beyond. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the Eagles.
Leading the way for the Eagles, we have OH Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI (Cedarville), the six rotation 6’2 juggernaut is leaving no doubt that she’s one of the best in the 2024 class. Alongside Pilat, we have OH Sophia Kellogg Sophia Kellogg 5'8" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2025 State MI and MB Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'11" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI , the two round out a trio of attackers that make PCA too hard to contain on the court. Running the offense is 3 year starter S Claire Binder. All players are seeing themselves having extraordinary seasons which can bode well for a potential rematch with Pewamo Westphalia this weekend.
Reese
The 2021 Division 3 champions are back for another year at the Division 3 and 4 Showdown. This is a brand new team this year. Many new faces not only grace the court but the bench as well. With the departure of coach Angie Compton (Now Delta College HC) and very few returners, this squad is still in high contention to do really well this weekend.
One of the biggest returners from last season and one of the top libero’s in Division 3, we have L Jaidyn VanOchten. Continuing on a stellar rookie season, VanOchten has taken the reigns of this young squad early on and is leading quite nicely. Taking the charge offensively is MB Sydney DuRussel, not only a leader for the team in attacks but in blocks as well.
Shelby
I wouldn’t want to see this team across the net. A team that just narrowly missed an Elite 8 appearance in Division 3 last season, Shelby has a lot of potential to make a big statement this weekend. Currently ranked just outside of the top ten in the latest MIVCA poll, I can see the Tigers surging up the rankings after a few wins this weekend.
There’s one big reason you do not want to see this team across the net. Navea Gauthier Navea Gauthier 6'1" | OH Shelby | 2025 State #56 Nation MI (Ohio State). She’s one of the top players, not only in Michigan, but in the country. Gauthier currently ranks No. 2 in the class of 2025 and the top ranked attacker. She’s hammered down over 370 kills already this season, averaging over 8 kps. Sitting just around 1950 career kills, this weekend guarantees Gauthier her 2,000th career kill at some point. Defensively, L Hannah Frees holds down the fort in the back court with over 200 digs on the season.
Traverse City St. Francis
Moving further north up the west shoreline of Michigan, we found ourselves with Traverse City St. Francis bringing the heat. Ranked just outside the top five of the latest polls at No. 6, TCSF has got quite the resume building up to the weekend. With wins over Cadillac (x2) and Leland, the Gladiators are well prepared entering the weekend.
Leading the charge at the net is OH Quinn Yenshaw Quinn Yenshaw 6'0" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 State MI . One of the top freshman from a season ago, Yenshaw has kicked it up another notch in 2023. As the go-to weapon on this squad, she’s scoring quite efficiently for the load she carries. Defensively, this team is led by L Avery Nance Avery Nance 5'4" | DS/L Traverse City St. Francis | 2025 State MI . Nance has been having herself quite the season for the Gladiators. While she showed glimpses of high level ball last fall, Nance has been going all out this season. The duo create quite the respectable 1-2 punch for TCSF and will surely turn some heads this weekend.