D3’s Top Offenses Entering 2025 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This fall, Division 3 looks like it should be very exciting in terms of the high-level of offensive talent it will bring to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of big power hitters scattered around the state, and some of the top teams should have the offensive talent to compete with any school in any division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at nine programs in D3 that we think could be leading the offensive charge this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Inland Lakes</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are bringing back a lot of their 2024 roster, which was a pretty successful squad. Leading the way are a pair of senior hitters in outside <strong>Chloe Robinson</strong> and middle <strong>Jenna Stubbs</strong>. These two were All-Region players in 2024 and are capable of putting the ball away at a high rate. Senior <strong>Addison Byrne </strong>is also a returning setter that has chemistry with these two power arms. Sophomore middle <strong>Ava Belford</strong>, senior outside <strong>Jenna Shiel</strong>, and senior middle <strong>Myla Thompson </strong>also were consistent contributors to the offense that are back for the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lutheran Westland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors utilized plenty of underclassmen last season, so coming into 2025 they have some juniors that have already proven they can play at a high level. Outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='583907' first='Megan' last='Baibak'] </strong>and middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833996' first='Keira' last='Fontaine']</strong> are returning All-Region hitters that will be a handful for opponents to deal with. Baibak is also a combo player that sets, giving Westland some experience at that position as well. Senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845253' first='Bethany' last='Latzke']</strong>, junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812838' first='Elise' last='Grulke'] </strong>and junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813221' first='Emma' last='Kolusk']</strong> are also returning hitters that consistently contributed to the offense in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>North Muskegon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Norsemen return nearly their entire offense from the 2024 squad, including a pair of All-state players in senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='544602' first='Olivia' last='Peterson']</strong> and senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499206' first='Addison' last='Falkowski']</strong>. These two bring great chemistry to the floor already. On top of that, North Muskegon will have plenty of depth at the net behind the likes of senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826428' first='Isabella' last='Fornaro']</strong>, junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817939' first='Reegan' last='Schwemin']</strong> and junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831424' first='Delaney' last='Young']</strong>. North Muskegon should be looking to push a strong pace with its array of returning talent at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Oakland Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers have a tall task of making the jump up from Division 4 to Division 3 this fall, but they will be doing so with a lot of talent back on offense. Three All-State honorees return for Oakland Christian, led by junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455952' first='Sofie' last='Williams']</strong>, who has proven she can lead the charge against some high-quality competition. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845101' first='Alli' last='Brock']</strong> also impressed on the outside as a freshman and has put up some very strong kill numbers during club season. These two will be a dynamic 1-2 punch on the pins. Junior setter <strong>Sophia Parrish</strong> also returns to run the offense, while senior <strong>Sarah Williams </strong>is a setter/hitter combo player that can play anywhere along the net. Sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819445' first='Sutton' last='Stockman'] </strong>also shows a lot of promise and could be a piece that really puts this whole offense together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pewamo-Westphalia</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates are coming into 2025 with a senior-heavy roster, which makes them one of the teams to watch again in D3. Leading the charge will be senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732275' first='Annika' last='Platte']</strong> and senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='728154' first='Nikki' last='Fedewa']</strong>, two that caught the attention of many volleyball scouts in recent years. But, that's not all. P-W also has senior right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='841670' first='Ally' last='Nurenberg']</strong> and senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816712' first='Mara' last='Smith']</strong> to give the Pirates plenty of options around the net. Senior <strong>Lexi Bengel </strong>is also back at setter, which means P-W should have plenty of chemistry to build on right away this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles graduated some strong talent, but they always find ways to reload and that should be no different in 2025. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat'] </strong>is capable of raising her game to another level on the outside to lead the way, while junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523905' first='Madisyn' last='Bowman'] </strong>has already shown she can be a dominant force in D3. Senior right side/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826946' first='Lauren' last='Bartz']</strong> also was a steady contributor last fall for PCA, while sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lilly' last='Bowman'] </strong>could be a breakout star this fall for the Eagles. Don't sleep on PCA because the Eagles will definitely make you pay for it if you do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Roscommon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bucks graduate just two from a team that was on the cusp of being in the elite class of D3 in 2024. That makes 2025 the year Roscommon is looking to break through with a run toward Kellogg Arena. Offensively, the Bucks have a wealth of talent. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586761' first='Alexis' last='Carper']</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper']</strong> are two of the most explosive hitters in the division and can play the middle or the outside, providing plenty of flexibility. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808192' first='Reese' last='Williams'] </strong>can also play either spot and she was one of the most productive freshmen in D3 last fall. Add in junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769601' first='Mara' last='Williams']</strong>, and the Bucks can come at you with a number of arms. Senior <strong>Zoey Kauffman </strong>is also back at setter, so she knows where to get these arms the ball in order to finish points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending D3 champs graduated some great talent, including two that were among the best in program history. But, the Kestrels are a team that will never be lacking in talent. They have plenty of arms ready to rise to the occasion. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226889' first='Madeline' last='Dettling'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800645' first='Olivia' last='Beaudrie'] </strong>will get more opportunities to shine and both are capable of leading the offense. Senior middle <strong>Quinn Harrington </strong>also contributed last year in the championship run. Junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456251' first='Alexa' last='Turner'] </strong>is also back to run the offense after leading SMCC in assists in 2024. There's likely to be some new faces in the mix as well to help keep the Kestrels as a top D3 contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Traverse City St. Francis</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gladiators have been runner-up in D3 the last two years, driving their hunger to get to the very top. This year's squad is going to pack a big punch at the net. Leading the way is senior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='220968' first='Quinn' last='Yenshaw']</strong> (New Haven), who was one of D3's top players in 2024. She's raised her game each year and should be ready for a big senior season. Junior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516948' first='Lola' last='Brown']</strong> stands 6'2” and gives St. Francis some elite length in the middle for D3. She showed a lot of promise as a sophomore. Senior right side <strong>Reese Muma </strong>and senior middle <strong>Harper Nausadis</strong> were also big parts of the production last fall and return to give the Gladiators a nice mixture of options at the net. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones'] </strong>is also back at setter after leading the team in assists last fall. She should be very comfortable leading this offense and keeping St. Francis in the hunt for a title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->