Division 3 Postseason Storylines

The Michigan Top 250 Expo is going to be taking place on Sunday, Dec. 1 in Pontiac. You can <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1300/register/michigan-top-250-expo">sign up now</a> to be a part of the event. Get $10 off your registration by using promo code “EllisExpo2024”   The 2024 postseason should be very entertaining.   Division 3 is loaded with some very strong teams that could compete with the best of other divisions.   Here's a look at the stories heading into D3's playoffs next week.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is it SMCC's time to win again</h2>   The Kestrels looks like they could be building a long-running dynasty after winning the D3 title in 2019 and 2020. Despite having a young squad, SMCC was right back in the final in 2021. However, they have run unto the eventual champs the last three years and come up just shy of adding more hardware.   This year, SMCC has definitely established itself as the team to beat. The Kestrels have topped ranked team in every division and look like one of the best in the entire state. [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] has taken her intensity up another level and that will be key over the next month. Fellow Miss Volleyball finalist [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] is giving the team everything she has at every position as well. [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] is a great compliment at the net as well, while [player_tooltip player_id='456251' first='Alexa' last='Turner'] is showing a lot of improvement at setter. SMCC seems to be the team to beat right now, which is nothing new for the program.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 contenders remain</h2>   Last year's finals in Battle Creek saw Kalamazoo Christian put on a show on its way to the title. Along with SMCC, other Final Four teams Cass City and TC St. Francis are strongly in the mix again in 2024.   The Comets graduated a solid class from its championship team, but Annelise deJong is still playing like one of the best hitters in the state. She's helped keep the transition to new starters very smooth. Cass City has [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], a dominant hitter that can take over a big match. She's always a difference-maker, but [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] is also a well-rounded hitter that makes Cass City a dangerous opponent for anyone. St. Francis was a relatively young team in 2023 but still finished state runner-up. This year, the team has a lot of big-match experience to rely on. [player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='354004' first='Tessah' last='Konas'] at setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='223048' first='Avery' last='Nance'] at libero, provide a lot of on-court leadership. [player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw'] is proving she's a go-to hitter that can lead an offense as well.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How far can Gauthier go?</h2>   Shelby senior [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] is approaching the MHSAA record for kills in a prep career, but she will need a deep postseason run to get there.   The Ohio State commit has 742 on the season and 3,324 for her career. She's currently second in the MHSAA record books, 260 behind the 3,584 Alisha Glass tallied in 2003-06 while playing for Leland.   Last year, Gauthier got 118 kills over three postseason matches, a total of 10 sets.   Shelby gets to host a district this postseason and it also has a pair of matches this week before starting districts, so the window is open for Gauthier to make a run at that elusive record.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Don't sleep on them</h2>   Division 3 has teams all over the state that can truly contend for a title. It's a balanced and spread out area of teams on the cusp of making something special happen.   Elk Rapids has earned some solid victories and taken sets from top teams in multiple divisions. The Elks have balanced offense through the play of Ashley McCann at setter. Rhielynn Skrocki, Gaby Morton and Lexi Moore are all consistent finishers at the net for them, making them a challenge to defend.   Roscommon is establishing itself as one of the top teams in the northern area. The Bucks also have a lot of offensive weapons, each of which have taken over a match. [player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'], [player_tooltip player_id='586761' first='Alexis' last='Carper'], Mara Williams, and Reese Williams make a formidable group of attackers. Reese Williams is one of the freshman standouts in the state.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toughest Districts</h2>   District 68 features Elk Rapids, one of the teams to watch out for a deep run. To do that, it will have to get past last year's runner-up, TC St. Francis. That will be no easy task. Mancelona, Glen Lake and Benzie Central will look to shake things up as well.   District 70 will take place in Lake City and two of Division 3's top teams are included with McBain and Manton. Evart and Pine River join the host as potential spoilers.

The Michigan Top 250 Expo is going to be taking place on Sunday, Dec. 1 in Pontiac. You can sign up now to be a part of the event. Get $10 off your registration by using promo code “EllisExpo2024”