Underclassmen Performers At D3 Finals Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**The Prep Dig Exposure Tour is coming to Pontiac on Dec. 21 for all interested 2026-2029 prospects following the 2025 fall season. It's a great opportunity to capitalize off the fall season and a great way to start the club year by being seen by scouts and colleges around the US.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2032/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-michigan#register"><strong><em>Click here to register</em></strong></a><em>, and use promo code&nbsp;<strong>“EllisPD25”</strong>&nbsp;to get $10 off your registration.**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division 3 semifinals and finals featured a lot of top-level juniors and seniors, but a handful of underclassmen made an impact on the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the sophomores and freshmen that recorded stats for their respective teams this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kingsley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 state champions had five seniors on the roster, but also featured three sophomores and a freshman. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908450' first='Ariyah' last='McKinley'] </strong>had a big role on defense for Kingsley, as she recorded 24 digs and a pair of kills in the five-set semifinal with SMCC. McKinley then followed that up with 14 digs and a kill in the championship match against Kalamazoo Central. McKinley is definitely a piece the Stags can rely on moving forward, especially with the graduation of their libero. <strong>Kylen Orton</strong> also got some play in the final. The sophomore setter played in two sets and will have a chance to run the offense next fall with Kingsley's setter graduating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kalamazoo Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 runner-up had a nice mixture of underclassmen and veteran players as they made their fourth consecutive Kellogg Arena appearance. The Comets had five sophomores and freshmen contributing during their two matches last weekend. <strong>Ashlyn Triemstra </strong>is a sophomore right side that came through with seven kills and five assisted blocks. The 5'11” hitter could be a big factor next fall for the Comets. A fellow right side, freshman <strong>Kenzie Maskill</strong> came through with a pair of kills on her only two swings in the final, while sophomore <strong>Alexis Earley </strong>also saw time on the floor in the semifinal. Sophomore <strong>Kennedy Price </strong>was a key asset to the defense. She had nine digs in the final and six in the semifinal. <strong>Allison Lambers</strong> is a freshman DS that saw some action as well and had a pair of digs. Both could see bigger roles next fall with Kalamazoo Christian graduating their libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kestrels were a veteran program this year with seven seniors on the roster, but they always have talented young players in the pipeline. Sophomore <strong>Reese Foster </strong>was one of two setters in the lineup. She tallied 18 assists, four digs and an ace in the semifinal matchup with Kingsley. Libero <strong>Olivia Horning </strong>is also just a sophomore. She had 11 digs with four assists in the matchup, but will provide SMCC with some nice experience in the back row for the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Valley Lutheran</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers didn't have a single senior on their roster, which should have them excited about their potential in the 2026 season. Among the returning talent will be a pair of sophomore hitters. <strong>Braelin Rodammer </strong>was one of the offensive leaders in the semifinal loss to Kalamazoo Christian. The 5'10” outside had eight kills, five digs, and two assisted blocks. <strong>Grace Parker </strong>is a sophomore middle that came through with five kills, two digs, and two assisted blocks. These two should see some nice gains as players over the next year, with this semifinal experience being a nice driving force. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->