D3 Quarterfinal Key Matchups & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 3 quarterfinal pairings feature a lot of powers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of these programs are accustomed to reaching Kellogg Arena and beyond. It should make for an exciting way to open finals week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the four matchups and predictions for each contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 9: Traverse City St. Francis vs. Roscommon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gladiators took a big step toward reaching Battle Creek again with a five-set thriller win over Calumet last week. Now it draws a feisty Roscommon squad that it has won five sets against already in 2024. After a dominant showing in September for St. Francis, the Bucks put up much more of a fight in a three-set loss in October. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354004' first='Tessah' last='Konas'] </strong>are doing a great job of running the St. Francis offense. With some capable hitters, the Gladiators can keep coming at opponents with different arms. The Bucks are familiar with big arms, as they managed to contain Shelby's [player_tooltip player_id='156343' first='Navea' last='Gauthier'] in a regional semifinal. Sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper'] </strong>is proving to be a force for Roscommon. She's got the ability to get hot offensively, and she disrupts a lot of opposing attacks. If she is able to bring her best, St. Francis will have its hands full.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>St. Francis over Roscommon in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 10: Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Kalamazoo Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two have met in finals week the last two years. P-W beat Kalamazoo Christian in the 2022 final, then the Comets got revenge in last year's quarterfinal. These two played five sets over two matches early in the year, with Kalamazoo Christian winning four of the five. The Comets had to work a lot of new pieces into the lineup following their title win in 2023, but <strong>Annelise de Jong </strong>has picked up a leadership role as a dominant outside finisher. She put down 27 kills in a hard-fought, five-set win over Bronson in the regional final. P-W will look to counter with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732275' first='Annika' last='Platte']</strong>, a complete outside that can impact the game with her attacks, defense and serving. The Pirates will likely need a standout performance in the middle as well from 6'1” junior <strong>Nikki Fedewa</strong>. Her size and length could help slow down the powerful Kalamazoo Christian offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Kalamazoo Christian over P-W in 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 11: Hanover-Horton vs. SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kestrels are playing at a level that seems hard for anyone to compete with. They dismantled second-ranked Plymouth Christian and certainly seem on a mission to finish the job of winning a state title in 2024. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] </strong>playing at an elite level, opponents will have to play nearly-perfect to get the upset. The Hanover-Horton Comets won a wild five-set battle with Clinton to advance to the quarterfinal on Tuesday. <strong>Maddie Jordan </strong>will have to come through in the quarterfinal with her defensive play. The Comets are going to need to be able to extend rallies and make the Kestrels take multiple swings to win points. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533117' first='Morgan' last='Kuhl'] </strong>could play a key role as well. The senior middle has been the leading blocker for the team. Slowing down the SMCC swings will be crucial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>SMCC over Hanover-Horton in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Quarterfinal 12: Cass City vs. Valley Lutheran</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cass City is looking to make a third straight appearance in Battle Creek and is up against a Valley Lutheran team that is no stranger to finals week, and looking for revenge after Cass City ended its season the last two years. Cass City has one of the most dynamic hitters in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash']</strong>, who finished third in a stack Miss Volleyball finalist group. Her ability to put the ball away is matched by few. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] </strong>is also a big finisher that Cass City can turn to when the defensive focus is heavily on Ignash. Gray has proven she can shoulder the offensive load as well. For Valley Lutheran, setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt'] </strong>has done a good job of spreading the ball around and she has some length at the net that can be a problem for Cass City. Middle <strong>Linden Pomaville </strong>had some key blocks in the regional final that would come in handy on Tuesday as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong>Cass City over Valley Lutheran in 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->