Division 3 Quarterfinal Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 3 really has a great quarterfinal field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eight remaining teams were ranked in the final MIVCA top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each matchup could go either way and features some very talented players, including this year's Miss Volleyball winner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown of the four matchups and predictions for who will prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SMCC vs. Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a great matchup in Ypsilanti. No. 1 SMCC takes on No. 3 Plymouth Christian. The Eagles have a lot of explosiveness that can give the Kestrels a real test. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288956' first='Sophia' last='Kellogg']</strong> can all finish, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton'] </strong>is an outstanding libero. They will all need their best against a SMCC team that has outstanding defense behind <strong>Ashley Ruhlig</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']</strong>. Costlow is also a big finisher at the net to go along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling']</strong> on the pins. The big question in this match is will PCA be able to get the level of first contact that SMCC has been accustomed to getting. If PCA can match the Kestrels in that category, it has a chance to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>SMCC over Plymouth Christian in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Kalamazoo Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rematch of the 2022 D3 final in the quarterfinals is quite a matchup to get. It's the second-ranked Pirates taking on the fourth-ranked Comets in Kalamazoo. P-W is led by newly-crowned Miss Volleyball, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172203' first='Taylor' last='Smith']</strong> at setter. The 6'1” Smith is a dominant presence with her ability to read the floor and know where to get the ball. She's brought the best out of hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='462056' first='Saige' last='Martin']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732275' first='Annika' last='Platte']</strong>. Libero <strong>Caroline Hengesbach </strong>has been an unsung hero as well and could be the key to P-W getting back to Battle Creek. K'Zoo Christian has a lot of senior experience, let by outside hitters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176604' first='Holland' last='DeVries'] </strong>and <strong>Makenna Ekkens</strong>, as well as middles <strong>Annelise Dejong </strong>and <strong>Mackenzie Ash</strong>. The key to the game will be the Comets avoiding passing and service errors. It can't afford to give P-W a lot of free points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Pewamo-Westphalia over Kalamazoo Christian in four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cass City vs. Valley Lutheran</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that have made recent trips to Battle Creek fight for a chance to get back in New Lothrop. The Red Hawks have one of the best 1-2 punches in Division 3 with juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']</strong>. Both hit with a lot of power and can get on hot streaks that are tough to stop. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250066' first='Isabelle' last='Phillips'] </strong>gets the best out of them as well. Valley Lutheran has proven they can have a different offensive leader each match. <strong>Alayna Adamski</strong>, <strong>Madelyn Herzberger</strong>, <strong>Rachel Roberts </strong>and <strong>Clara Grimpo</strong> have all stepped up at different times in this postseason. Will their offensive balance be the difference, or will Cass City be able to rely on last year's semifinal run to edge past Valley Lutheran?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Cass City over Valley Lutheran in five</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Calumet vs. Traverse City St. Francis</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A battle of standout northern teams takes place in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday. Calumet is still riding high after reaching Kellogg Arena a year ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473953' first='Laina' last='Kariniemi'] </strong>is the senior leader on the floor that keeps the Copper Kings together. She's playing her best volleyball right now in all areas of the game. If she can continue to get the ball to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473947' first='Allison' last='Bjorn'] </strong>and <strong>Caitlyn Strom </strong>in a timely fashion, it allows them to challenge the talented St. Francis offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226837' first='Garnet' last='Mullet'] </strong>aren't going to be easy for Calumet to slow down, and with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354004' first='Tessah' last='Konas'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] </strong>both able to run the offense at a high speed, there should be plenty of fireworks in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>St. Francis over Calumet in five</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->