Player of the Year Watch for Division 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The 2026 Prep Dig Exposure Tour hits Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 6. We've now added Universal Speed Testing as part of the event, which is open to 2027-2030 prospects. </em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2498/register/exposure-tour-michigan"><strong><em>Get signed up for the event</em></strong></a><em> now and use <strong>promo code ET26DREW25OFF</strong> to get <strong>25% off</strong> your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prep volleyball season is at its midway point and there has been a lot of great play thus far in the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look at the teams performing well, here's the names that are starting to emerge as top Player of the Year candidates in Division 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>(Players listed in alphabetical order)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bella Barnes, So. OH Manton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnes looks very comfortable in a lead role with the Manton offense. She's listed at 5'11” but plays longer than that as she has a good vertical and can really power through the ball. Barnes just looks like a natural on the court and she's guiding Manton to a strong season thus far in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt'], Sr. S Valley Lutheran</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley Lutheran is ranked No. 1 in D3 right now and Belt has been leading this veteran group all season. She's got over 700 assists on the season and over 3,000 in her career. She's also among the defensive leaders for Valley Lutheran this fall. On top of her great play, she's an established leader on the court and keeps the team together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587016' first='Lillian' last='Bowman'], Jr. OH Plymouth Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowman is a fierce competitor that brings fire and passion to the court for every match. That is also matched by some powerful attacks, as the ball really flies off her hands. While she's a firecracker at the net, Bowman has turned into a really reliable defender and passers for PCA as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916037' first='Madie' last='Folkema'], Jr. OH Western Michigan Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Folkema is a powerful left-handed outside that can make all the shots. She's able to put the ball away with explosive swings, but also can see the court well and make late adjustments to fool the defense with an offspeed play. Folkema also looks polished defensively and has WMC playing like a D3 contender right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569773' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'], Jr. OH Cass City</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ignash is an imposing player at the net, as she's got the length, athleticism, and footwork to be a very special player. This season she is leading Cass City to a strong season by leading the team in kills and aces, while also being among the team leaders in digs and blocks. Ignash is going to find a way to make an impact in every game she is in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816366' first='Madeline' last='Kozuch'], Sr. OH Morley Stanwood</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kozuch has been dominant for the Mohawks this season. She's already approaching 500 kills on the season while hitting over .320 on the year. She's placing the ball all over the floor and doing it with power or finesse. Kozuch is also a workhorse on defense, with over 300 digs on the year. She's also got over 65 aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904506' first='Avery' last='Loftis'], Sr. S/RS Clinton</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton has a lot of contributors that can be in the mix here, but Loftis is a senior that is a big glue piece to the team as she can do a little bit of everything as a setter and hitting option. She's a savvy player that has great court vision, but also the athleticism to make a momentum-swinging kill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916647' first='Alayna' last='Schiller'], Sr. DS/L Hart</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schiller has been an absolute dig machine these past two years. She was among the state leaders in digs last year and is well on her way toward that again in 2026 with over 460 on the season. She's got Hart playing at a high level, as the Pirates are able to utilize their balanced offense thanks to Schiller's consistency. Schiller is also a force from the service line with over 50 aces on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456251' first='Alexa' last='Turner'], Sr. S/RS SMCC</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kestrels are once again in the title mix and Turner is a do-everything player for them as a senior setter/right side combo player. Turner is among the team leaders in every category, as she can make an impact with her blocking and defensive play, along with her setting and attacking. Turner definitely leaves it all on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732306' first='Reese' last='Williams'], Jr. OH Roscommon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is having an outstanding season for the Bucks, who are ranked No. 2 in D3 right now. She's hitting nearly .400 as an outside and has over 360 kills to go along with over 230 digs. Williams brings an excellent all-around game to the court and her impact can't be understated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Players In the Mix</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reese Booms, Sr. DS/L Harbor Beach; [player_tooltip player_id='516948' first='Lola' last='Brown'], Sr. MB TC St. Francis; [player_tooltip player_id='817491' first='Olivia' last='Brown'], Jr. OH St. Louis; [player_tooltip player_id='291173' first='Brynn' last='DeGlee'], Sr. OH Hanover-Horton; [player_tooltip player_id='817960' first='Reese' last='Lape'], Sr. OH Grass Lake; Elli VanDusen, Sr. MH/OH Kalamazoo Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->