Looking Ahead: Top D3 Teams Coming Into 2024
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With the 2023 D3 state champions graduating a lot of production from their squad this spring, the 2024 season should be very interesting. Here’s five teams we expect to be among the top contenders for the title next fall. Bronson…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023 D3 state champions graduating a lot of production from their squad this spring, the 2024 season should be very interesting.
Here’s five teams we expect to be among the top contenders for the title next fall.
Bronson
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. Aubree Calloway Aubree Calloway 5'9" | OH Bronson | 2025 State MI and Payton Springstead 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. Aleah Brackett Aleah Brackett 5'8" | RS Bronson | 2026 State MI 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 Brealyn Lasky Brealyn Lasky 5'6" | S Bronson | 2024 State MI . Defensively, Ciara Blankenship will also be back as a senior libero that gives Bronson great balance around the court.
Cass City
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. Shelby Ignash Shelby Ignash 6'1" | MB Cass City | 2025 State #124 Nation MI is one of the most impressive hitters in all of Division 3 and will be back for a dominant senior year, alongside outside Kacee Gray Kacee Gray 5'7" | OH Cass City | 2025 State MI , who has also had dominant stretches at the net. Lexi Champagne is also back to add hitting depth for setter Isabelle Phillips Isabelle Phillips 5'9" | DS/L Cass City | 2025 State MI , who runs a very smooth offense for Cass City. Defensively, Brianna McKee 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.
Plymouth Christian
The Eagles were a 40-win team in 2023 and always near the top of the D3 rankings. PCA graduates its leading hitter in Allison Pilat Allison Pilat 6'2" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI and libero Kate Creighton Kate Creighton 5'5" | DS/L Plymouth Christian | 2024 State MI , but still have a lot of talented pieces to work with. The offense should remain fast and powerful behind outside Sophia Kellogg Sophia Kellogg 5'8" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2025 State MI and middle Riley Pilat Riley Pilat 5'11" | OH Plymouth Christian | 2026 State MI . They bring a lot of athleticism to the table. PCA also has Clare Binder 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.
SMCC
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 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 , 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. Madeline Dettling Madeline Dettling 6'0" | OH SMCC | 2026 State MI is a 6-foot power arm that will be entering her junior year to compliment Costlow. While the team graduates its libero, Olivia Beaudrie Olivia Beaudrie 5'7" | OH SMCC | 2026 State MI seems set for a breakout junior year as a defensive asset for the Kestrels.
Traverse City St. Francis
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 Garnet Mullet Garnet Mullet 5'9" | OH Traverse City Saint Francis | 2024 State MI . Still, TCSF has a lot of capable hitters returning, led by Quinn Yenshaw Quinn Yenshaw 6'0" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 State MI , Claire Hurley Claire Hurley 5'10" | OH Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 MI , Reese Muma, Landry Fouch and Harper Nausadis. All had over 100 kills last fall, which will give returning setters Reese Jones Reese Jones 5'4" | S Traverse City St. Francis | 2026 MI and Tessah Konas Tessah Konas 5'8" | S Traverse City St. Francis | 2025 State MI a lot to work with. Avery Nance Avery Nance 5'4" | DS/L Traverse City St. Francis | 2025 State MI 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.