Looking Ahead: Top D3 Teams Coming Into 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 D3 state champions graduating a lot of production from their squad this spring, the 2024 season should be very interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's five teams we expect to be among the top contenders for the title next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bronson</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings are no stranger to postseason success and they always test themselves against the top programs. Coming into the 2024 season, Bronson is going to bring one of the best collection of hitters in D3 to the court. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156288' first='Aubree' last='Calloway'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595381' first='Payton' last='Springstead']</strong> are a dynamite 1-2 punch for a middle and outside. Calloway hit over .400 on the season while Springstead was a relentless arm on the outside. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490361' first='Aleah' last='Brackett'] </strong>had a great sophomore season to give Bronson another veteran arm on the outside for her junior year. All three were also polished defenders and challenging to handle from the service line. Brackett also can set, which helps make up for the loss of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274529' first='Brealyn' last='Lasky']</strong>. Defensively, <strong>Ciara Blankenship</strong> will also be back as a senior libero that gives Bronson great balance around the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cass City</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing in the D3 semifinal for the second consecutive season, the Red Hawks players had a very determined message that they would be back again in 2024. It would be hard to argue with them as they graduate just one senior from the squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] </strong>is one of the most impressive hitters in all of Division 3 and will be back for a dominant senior year, alongside outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray']</strong>, who has also had dominant stretches at the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595976' first='Lexi' last='Champagne']</strong> is also back to add hitting depth for setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250066' first='Isabelle' last='Phillips']</strong>, who runs a very smooth offense for Cass City. Defensively, <strong>Brianna McKee </strong>will also be back at libero for her senior year. Overall, Cass City could have 10 returning seniors on the 2024 squad. That's a lot of experience and leadership to have on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were a 40-win team in 2023 and always near the top of the D3 rankings. PCA graduates its leading hitter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] </strong>and libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176603' first='Kate' last='Creighton']</strong>, but still have a lot of talented pieces to work with. The offense should remain fast and powerful behind outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288956' first='Sophia' last='Kellogg'] </strong>and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']</strong>. They bring a lot of athleticism to the table. PCA also has <strong>Clare Binder </strong>returning at setter. She's been able to get the ball to her hitters with a high probability to finish. The challenge for PCA will be how it fills the holes defensively, but the program has been able to produce a lot of talented defenders over the years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kestrels have lost heart-breakers to the eventual D3 state champion the last three years. But, it's a program that doesn't change its goals, nor should it. SMCC will go into 2024 as one of the top teams in D3 once again. Leading the way is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow']</strong>, two players that have played at an elite level since they were freshman. Payne has played seemingly every position for the Kestrels over the years and excelled. Last year she was the setter while being one of the best defenders in the state. Costlow has grown by leaps and bounds as a six-rotation outside and her experience and leadership will be very valuable. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] </strong>is a 6-foot power arm that will be entering her junior year to compliment Costlow. While the team graduates its libero, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie'] </strong>seems set for a breakout junior year as a defensive asset for the Kestrels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Traverse City St. Francis</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 runner-up could be poised for another deep postseason run in 2024. The Gladiators graduate just two from the roster, though one was team leader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226837' first='Garnet' last='Mullet']</strong>. Still, TCSF has a lot of capable hitters returning, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226902' first='Claire' last='Hurley']</strong>, <strong>Reese Muma, Landry Fouch </strong>and <strong>Harper Nausadis</strong>. All had over 100 kills last fall, which will give returning setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354004' first='Tessah' last='Konas'] </strong>a lot to work with. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223048' first='Avery' last='Nance'] </strong>will be returning at libero as well, giving St. Francis a lot of experience and balance in the lineup. St. Francis should come out of the gate hot next fall and see if anyone can keep up with it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->