Division 3 Quarterfinal Predictions
In this article:
Division 3 really has a great quarterfinal field. All eight remaining teams were ranked in the final MIVCA top 10. Each matchup could go either way and features some very talented players, including this year’s Miss Volleyball winner. Here’s a…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingDivision 3 really has a great quarterfinal field.
All eight remaining teams were ranked in the final MIVCA top 10.
Each matchup could go either way and features some very talented players, including this year’s Miss Volleyball winner.
Here’s a breakdown of the four matchups and predictions for who will prevail.
SMCC vs. Plymouth Christian
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. Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI , Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'11" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI and Sophia Kellogg Sophia Kellogg 5'8" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2025 State MI can all finish, while Kate Creighton Kate Creighton 5'5" | DS/L Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI is an outstanding libero. They will all need their best against a SMCC team that has outstanding defense behind Ashley Ruhlig, McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI and Jessica Costlow Jessica Costlow 5'11" | OH SMCC | 2025 State #142 Nation MI . Costlow is also a big finisher at the net to go along with Madeline Dettling Madeline Dettling 6'0" | OH SMCC | 2026 State MI 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.
Prediction: SMCC over Plymouth Christian in four
Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Kalamazoo Christian
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, Taylor Smith Taylor Smith 6'1" | S Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI 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 Saige Martin Saige Martin 6'0" | MB Pewamo Westphalia | 2024 State MI and Annika Platte. Libero Caroline Hengesbach 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 Holland DeVries Holland DeVries 5'10" | OH Kalamazoo Christian | 2024 State MI and Makenna Ekkens, as well as middles Annelise Dejong and Mackenzie Ash. 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.
Prediction: Pewamo-Westphalia over Kalamazoo Christian in four
Cass City vs. Valley Lutheran
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 Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI and Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI . Both hit with a lot of power and can get on hot streaks that are tough to stop. Junior setter Isabelle Phillips Isabelle Phillips 5'9" | DS/L Cass City | 2025 State MI gets the best out of them as well. Valley Lutheran has proven they can have a different offensive leader each match. Alayna Adamski, Madelyn Herzberger, Rachel Roberts and Clara Grimpo 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?
Prediction: Cass City over Valley Lutheran in five
Calumet vs. Traverse City St. Francis
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. Laina Kariniemi Laina Kariniemi 5'6" | S Calumet | 2024 State MI 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 Allison Bjorn Allison Bjorn 6'0" | MB Calumet | 2024 State MI and Caitlyn Strom in a timely fashion, it allows them to challenge the talented St. Francis offense. Quinn Yenshaw Quinn Yenshaw 6'0" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 State MI and Garnet Mullet Garnet Mullet 5'9" | OH Traverse City Saint Francis | 2024 State MI aren’t going to be easy for Calumet to slow down, and with Tessah Konas Tessah Konas 5'8" | S Traverse City St. Francis | 2025 State MI and Reese Jones Reese Jones 5'4" | S Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 MI both able to run the offense at a high speed, there should be plenty of fireworks in this matchup.
Prediction: St. Francis over Calumet in five