Division 3 Favorites Entering the Post Season

<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h5>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">The 2024 Expo Season is here</a>! Sign up for this year's Top 250 Expo using the code <strong>LSHOTExpo2024</strong> for $$ off!</em></h5>   <p>–</p>   <p>How has the time gone THAT FAST?!</p>   <p>It's one of the best times of the year, post-season is right around the corner! If these past few months have been of any indication, we are in for one wild ride to get to Kellogg Arena.</p>   <p>The volleyball in Michigan has become second to none.<em><strong> </strong></em>Division 3 volleyball has been one of the most fascinating divisions to follow in recent memory. In each of the last three seasons, we have seen a first-time champion be crowned. This season looks to another season where we can see a newbie be named the champion of D3. Although, perennial powers, SMCC, may have something to say about it. This Road to Kellogg is looking to be a doozy, yet again, for this small town division.</p>   <p>With only a week away until the first whistle of the 2024 post-season, let's break down all of the madness that is to ensue with the MHSAA Division 3 race. Who are the favorites on the Road to Kellogg in D3?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SMCC</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC03006.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-706527" style="width:323px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie']; [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling']</figcaption></figure>   <p>The Kestrels have come awfully close to reclaiming the glory of being atop of Division 3 these last few years. With a Runner-Up finish in 2021 and then a semifinal appearance in 2023, The Kestrels haven't won since 2020 despite having a star studded cast since. However, it looks like 2024 is THE year that this powerhouse will bring back the Wooden Mitten. With a strong upperclassmen core and one last go-around for two of the strongest players in the state, SMCC looks to be all gas and no breaks starting this week.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>Some of the biggest players on SMCC's side of the net comes in a pair of four year starters. [player_tooltip player_id='156292' first='Jessica' last='Costlow'] (Toledo) and [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] (Utah), both Miss Volleyball Finalists, have become the faces of the Kestrel program. Costlow has been a mainstay on the court as six rotation player ever since her rookie season. She's got about every shot in the book to score the point and she is timely with every swing. </p>   <p>For Payne, she's another player you simply cannot take off the court. Unlike her counterpart Costlow, Payne has played just about every position possible throughout her four years. Traditionally a libero, she has seen significant time as a pin attacker and a setter. Both of which, she has led her team to Final Four appearances. The two have combined for over 2,500 kills and 3,000 digs throughout their times at SMCC.</p>   <p>Alongside this senior duo, comes a very similar coded junior duo with [player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226877' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie']. Dettling has stepped up her game entering her third season in the varsity program. Becoming somewhat of a one-two punch opposite of Costlow on the left pin, when this player gets into a rhythm, she can be extremely deadly. Beaudrie is a much similar athlete to Payne as well. In a perfect world, Beaudrie would be the ying to Payne's yang in the back court. However, she has been slotted in the middle and does an incredible job. Despite her 5'6 stature, her leaping abilities allows her to be a viable threat.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>This team only has four losses on the season and all of them have come at the hands of top ten ranked opponents... <strong>In Division 1!</strong> Those 28 wins the Kestrels have racked up are even more tough too. While finding a lot of success at the ever-competitive Motor City Power League, SMCC truly showed what they were capable of at this year's Beast of the East.</p>   <p>Entering the tournament, the Division 3 squad in a sea of top tier Division 1 and 2 squads was ranked second in their pool. Not only did they go on to win their pool, but they put the spanking down, sweeping each of the three opponents, including a tough Eisenhower squad. They would then go on to take down Plymouth Christian and Forest Hills Northern before falling to Rockford in three sets in the semifinals.</p>   <p>Not only was it impressive to see the Kestels take on such heavyweights so comfortably, but we got to see a preview of what is to come down the line in the regional rounds. If all plays out, both SMCC and Plymouth Christian will go toe-to-toe in the regional finals. The Kestrels tatook this first round in a dominating fashion. Despite the two being number 1 and 2 in the rankings, SMCC proved to have lodged themselves a significant gap above the rest.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Can SMCC finally pull it off?</strong> There is simply no denying the sheer star power that comes with the SMCC program. They are one of the most winningest programs in Division 3 volleyball. However, since their win in 2020, it has seemed to be a tough hill to climb when it comes to post-season play. They nearly won it in 2021, but were reverse swept by the then Cinderellas, Reese. Then they would bow out in the regional rounds to eventual champs, Pewamo-Westphalia, in 2022. </p>   <p>Last season, it looked to be the Kestrels year once again. They had restocked and reloaded from the losses they had felt from the 2021 class and they had beefed up their regular season big time. Made it all the way back to the Final Four before getting thrown around by Kalamazoo Christian, the eventual champs. </p>   <p>The Kestrel's are no stranger to the big stage and the big lights. However, in each of the last three seasons, they've lost to team that would go on to win their first ever title in their respective program's history. A team with tradition on their side versus ones that had nothing to lose. Alas, this seems to be their year more than any year before, can they keep this momentum going all the way until the end? And can they fend off any feisty newbie that comes to challenge?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plymouth Christian</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/DSC03121.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-714491" style="width:346px;height:auto" /></figure>   <p>Ever since joining Division 3 from Division 4 a few years back, Plymouth Christian has consistently found themselves well within the mix of the top of the crop. Despite having some of the strongest teams, they always fell shy of a run to Kellogg due to being in such a raucous route. This season, PCA has remained steadfast atop the rankings just below SMCC. The Eagles have gone out of their way to take on top comp from all divisions, including an appearance at Beast of the East and a Runner-Up finish at the D3/4 Showdown.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>The Eagles flock in quite a deep bench. A trio of attackers particularly standout though when you look at the difference makers on this team. This comes with a heavy presence on the left pin and nice dose of middle action. </p>   <p>Both [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288956' first='Sophia' last='Kellogg'] have been holding down the fort in not only the team's offense, but they have a lot to do with this squad's ball control. Pilat and Kellogg are tasked with taking on six rotation duties and have seemed to flourish in the roles. Pilat, previously seen in the middle the last two seasons, has wasted no time cementing herself as a go to option on the left side. Her ball control is what really stands out to you, especially when you consider her past roles with PCA.</p>   <p>Outside of the pins, and maybe somewhat of an X-factor, is [player_tooltip player_id='523905' first='Madisyn' last='Bowman'] in the middle. This player has really made a huge splash in her sophomore season. From limited time, to a mainstay and focal option, Bowman's stock has skyrocketed. With her presence in the middle, she gives this team a much more dynamic look. At 6'2, she can become dominating force to be reckoned with on both the offensive and defensive fronts. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>Over the course of the season, PCA has amassed quite an impressive resume. Going outside of their division in tournaments like Beast of the East, the Eagles have also found themselves within the mix of a lot of top teams within Division 3. They've earned wins over the likes of Pewamo-Westphalia and Ovid-Elsie. Both of which are potential match-ups to be seen down the road. </p>   <p>With a record of 29-9-2, the loss columns have bee very interesting to look at as well. Against the top of the crop within Division 3, PCA has seen both SMCC and Calumet at one point or another. At the D3/4 Showdown, PCA would drop the championship game to No. 4 Calumet in straight sets. Then a few weeks later, they would have a similar result going against top ranked SMCC in the gold bracket of Beast of the East. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Making it out of Regionals.</strong> This is another great example of why MHSAA needs to invest into some sort of seeding system, because of teams like Plymouth Christian. Since the introduction of the Eagles to Division 3, they have landed in the same regional of some tough squads including the likes of SMCC, Pewamo-Westphalia and more. This regional has produced two of the last four champions. Despite constantly being ranked high, this regional is just simply a blood bath. </p>   <p>Looking ahead, if all plays out, PCA will have yet another go at the Kestrels. They've lost to them twice this season, once via a sweep at BOE and the other more recently. This time the Eagles managed to push the Kestrels to extra sets. If PCA wants to return to Kellogg Arena after a nearly 10 year drought, they have to be dialed in and ready for that round of 16 match-up.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Calumet </h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/DSC02613.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-696340" style="width:352px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Calumet wins the D3/4 Showdown.</figcaption></figure>   <p>Despite being in a region of the state that tends to be a little on the weaker side of the game, Calumet has been a familiar face to Kellogg Arena for the last few years. This includes a run to the Final Four back in 2022. This year looks to be yet another run, or 8+ hour trip, back to Battle Creek. They've got the pieces to the puzzle they need to make the run and they've accomplished quite the wins along the way. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>Talk about a team that really stress out an opponent's defense. From the left pin to the right pin, Calumet has two of the top weapons in Division 3.</p>   <p>On the left pin, [player_tooltip player_id='482159' first='Allison' last='Bjorn'] has been a dynamic weapon. Moving from the middle, to the left pin has seemingly been the spark that Calumet needed to see themselves back atop the division since their final four run in 2022. Especially as of late, Bjorn has been firing on a whole new level. The last few matches have seen the outside averaging over 5 kills per set.</p>   <p>Moving over to the right pin, Maddy Torola has become an instrumental compliment to Bjorn. The 6'0 lefty not only has become a focal point of the Copper King's offense, but she is a huge part of their defense as well. She can put the ball away on every front of the game which makes her so effective.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>You have to give it up to this program for doing the most when it comes to preparing their teams. Being at the tippy top of the UP, a post-season worthy opponent may be nearly a 4+ hours drive away! Calumet has shown to have no problems though when faced with the heavyweights in 2024.</p>   <p>Coming into the fold, Calumet has a 26-4-2 record. This team hasn't lost since the early going of September. Since then, they've gone onto win the D3/4 Showdown. This proved to be a huge establishment for Calumet and what they can be capable of.</p>   <p>Despite still holding onto a cap of No. 4 in the MIVCA rankings, Calumet boasts wins over the likes of Plymouth Christian, Shelby & Mendon.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Will the Copper Heads be ready for a deep run?</strong> Impressive as it is to make the travel to the Showdown and come back winning the entire tournament. The Showdown has also been the last time that Calumet has seen the competition they'll need to go the distance.</p>   <p>As noted though, the Copper Kings have the fire power and have shown to have the personnel it takes to go against the top of the crop.</p>   <p><strong>What's at stake?</strong> Not only would a championship run be a first in program history for Calumet, but this would be the first an Upper-Peninsula team has been in this position. Ever since 2000, when MHSAA combined the upper and lower peninsulas into four divisions/classes, no UP school has won a state title. </p>   <p>If there is any team to make this type of historic statement, it's going to be the Copper Kings. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cass City</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/DSC02677.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-705744" style="width:337px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] </figcaption></figure>   <p>The Red Hawks made their very first appearance in Battle Creek back in 2022. After getting swept by the eventual champs, they would go on to just narrowly lose in the semis in 2023. Could this be the year that Cass City not only jumps the hurdle to make it the finals? A first in program history? They're led by a star-studded senior class that has been here each of the last two appearances. They know what it takes to get to finish line, now can they cross it? </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Players</h4>   <p>You simply cannot talk about Cass City without talking about their 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (Texas Tech) and [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] (Alma). One of the most undeniable forces in the division 3 game since they arrived in their freshman seasons. These two are the reason that Cass City has become a perennial topic of conversation when we talk post season. </p>   <p>Ignash is the dynamic force of nature in the middle. She's become known for her one-footed take off in not only Michigan volleyball, but nationally as well. In a rare position, Ignash has become a powerful presence in not only the front row, but the back row as well. It's not everyday you see a middle like this have such a control of the game in all aspects. Earlier this season, Ignash was honored for accumulating over 1,400 kills as well as 1,000 digs in her career.</p>   <p>If it wasn't Ignash, it was Gray going to town. As if this pair couldn't be more similar in their dominating play in all six rotations, they also couldn't be more different. This is how the magic works as well as it does. Gray, the undersized cannon slinger has become a force of her own on the left pin for the Hawks. Despite a maybe 5'7 frame, Gray has such leaping abilities that allow her to go up and over some of the toughest of blockers she sees. She, too, was also honored with amassing over 1,400 kills and 1,000 digs throughout her career earlier this fall. </p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Important Wins</h4>   <p>Looks can be deceptive when you see Cass City's record. On paper, you see that the Hawks are 28-10-2 on the season. Not awful, but maybe not what you would peg for a heavy favorite. However, looking deeper, you'll find that 5 of these losses all came within the first 12 matches of the season. 5 losses, all coming within the first two playdates of the season! This was large part due to Ignash returning for an injury sustained at the latter parts of the club season.</p>   <p>Now, taking out those first 12 matches. Cass City has gone on an unprecedented record of 22-5-1. All but one of those losses would come at the hands of ranked Division 1 and 2 teams including a loss to Marian and Forest Hills Northern at the BOE. Outside of this, the Hawks have seemed to be at business as usual.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Factors</h4>   <p><strong>Can Cass CIty shake off the Semifinal crutch? </strong>For the last two seasons, Cass City has come awfully close to making it to the final game of the season. Particularly last year, the Hawks would drop the match to a tough St. Francis team but by set scores all decided by 2 point differences. An interesting tidbit in that is that Cass City didn't call a timeout ONCE during that semifinal match. Could you imagine what a time out or two would've done to any momentum on the other side? </p>   <p><strong>Changes to the Hawk's Side.</strong> While this looks to be the year that Cass City can get the job done and go for a title, one has to wonder how effective (or lack there of) CC will be without the Ignash slide. In each of the last two appearances, Ignash had been a staple leading the team in both kills and hitting efficiency. In each of the last two, CC had also been operating on a 5-1 system, allowing Ignash to run her nationally renowned slide. </p>   <p>This season, the Hawks have operated all season long within a 6-2 setting system. This is despite returning [player_tooltip player_id='250066' first='Isabelle' last='Phillips'] who has been running the show quite effective in both of the last two seasons. Leaving Ignash with only one avenue to score out of in this system when things get tight may cause a lot of issues for the Hawks down the stretch. With a particular eye on a potential match up with SMCC, a team known for their defense. The slide is a part of the Hawk's game that can push them ahead.</p>   <p></p>