2026 D3 Regionals Breakdown and Predictions

<!-- 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 Division 3 playoffs are shaping up to be really entertaining over the next two weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of the top teams are positioning themselves well in their respective regionals, while some of the D3 brackets are completely up for grabs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a breakdown of all eight regional tournaments in Division 3 and my picks for the winners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 17 at Manistique</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Calumet vs. Norway; Boyne City vs. No. 6 Traverse City St. Francis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Calumet and Norway each went four sets in their district final, coming in with character-building wins. The Copper Kings have a number of players that can beat you, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812409' first='Chloe' last='Coppo']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='736489' first='Cali' last='Hodges']</strong>, <strong>Annika Stafford</strong> and <strong>Braylin Antilla</strong> can all get hot at the net. Norway will try to counter with <strong>Addyson Burklund</strong> and <strong>Kendall Burklund</strong>. TC St. Francis got past a good Elk Rapids team in the district final. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490037' first='Hadley' last='Humphrey']</strong> is spreading the ball out well for the Gladiators while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516948' first='Lola' last='Brown']</strong> remains a big presence at the net on offense and defense. Boyne City libero <strong>Elle Wilson</strong> has been playing well and will make St. Francis work for every point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Look for Calumet and St. Francis to meet up in the regional final in what should be a great matchup. I like the balance of the Copper Kings to allow them to pull off a slight upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 18 at Farwell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM McBain vs. HM Beal City; No. 1 Roscommon vs. Hart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a solid regional that starts with a meeting between rivals in Beal City and McBain. The two went five sets earlier this year with Beal City getting the edge, but McBain has to be eager for the rematch. The Aggies can continue to dig deep behind the play of setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='535295' first='Paisley' last='Schumacher']</strong> and libero <strong>Bethany Block</strong>. McBain can counter with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917054' first='Adria' last='Rozeveld']</strong> and <strong>Brooklyn Hall</strong> at the net. It should be very back-and-forth. Hart is going to bring a great defense to the court led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916647' first='Alayna' last='Schiller']</strong>. The Tigers will have to be their best to slow down top-ranked Roscommon and the powerful arms of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769601' first='Mara' last='Williams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732306' first='Reese' last='Williams']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586777' first='Nemiah' last='Carper']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: The Bucks are the team to beat here and I don't see another team in this bracket having the fire power to match them. I'll give Beal City the edge in the other semifinal, but Rosco should take home the hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 19 at Montabella</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Kent City vs. Pewamo-Westphalia; Grandville Calvin Christian vs. No. 4 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Pewamo-Westphalia was an inexperienced team in 2026, yet the Pirates showed their best last week to claim a district title. The Pirates have had a total team effort to get here, but <strong>Sidney Thelen</strong> is one to watch out for this week on the outside. Kent City had a big win over Morley Stanwood to advance and also got solid contributions all around, especially from <strong>Ellie Hansen</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='697320' first='Michaela' last='Bremer']</strong>. The team to win at the service line probably takes this semifinal. Calvin Christian has gotten great play from libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830141' first='Avery' last='Walcott']</strong>. She will be a key for Calvin Christian as it tries to handle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916037' first='Madie' last='Folkema']</strong> and a polished WMC attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: WMC is ranked No. 4 for a reason and I think it will be too much for the rest of the bracket. I will pick WMC over PW in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 20 at Watervliet</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Bangor vs. Schoolcraft; Kalamazoo Christian vs. River Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Bangor is playing with a lot of confidence. The leadership and energy from senior setter <strong>Alexis Wisniewski</strong> is a big reason why. <strong>Layla Rykse</strong> has Schoolcraft rolling and she's going to be a handful for Bangor to stop. River Valley has the tough task of trying to stop Kalamazoo Christian, which has a wealth of winning experience this time of year. <strong>Elli VanDusen</strong> is dominating at the net and <strong>Ellory Zuiderveen</strong> is dominating in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: I expect some really competitive sets in this region, but I have to give the edge to the experience and pedigree of Kalamazoo Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 21 at Ottawa Lake Whiteford</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 10 Hanover-Horton vs. No. 8 SMCC; No. 7 Clinton vs. Quincy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a strong region with three ranked teams and a scrappy Quincy squad looking to play spoiler. The Orioles have some talented all-around players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1021956' first='Ashlyn' last='Fickle']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834338' first='Kora' last='Timmons']</strong>. Clinton has two crafty setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='907130' first='Addison' last='Loftis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904506' first='Avery' last='Loftis']</strong>, as well as a dominant middle in <strong>Isabella Bannon</strong>. Clinton looks to have too much for Quincy to overcome on paper. The other semifinal should be a thriller. SMCC has a number of players that can step up, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849862' first='Claire' last='Ryan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='456251' first='Alexa' last='Turner']</strong>. The Comets can counter with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291173' first='Brynn' last='DeGlee']</strong> at the net and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='967025' first='Collins' last='DeGlee']</strong> in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: I give the edge to Hanover-Horton in the semifinal with SMCC, but it's a coin flip. Clinton and Hanover-Horton were really competitive this year in previous matches, but I like Clinton behind its creative offense and imposing play in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 22 at Mt. Clemens</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> Royal Oak Shrine vs. GP Woods University Liggett; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest vs. No. 3 Plymouth Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Shrine came away with a district title and can compete against Liggett behind the play of <strong>Addison Kress</strong>. Liggett is battle-tested but will have to avoid unforced errors to advance. Plymouth Christian is the team to beat in this regional. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523872' first='Anika' last='Jaroszewski']</strong> and <strong>Lilly Bowman</strong> are as good as they come in D3 and will be ready to lead PCA to the quarterfinals. Lutheran Northwest has some experience winning this time of year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815115' first='Keaira' last='Spiehs']</strong> has provided a spark as of late, and <strong>Aria Schmude</strong> can create problems for opponents in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Plymouth Christian definitely has the edge her. PCA is battle-tested and plays with a lot of intensity, which you need this time of year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 23 at Bath</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> HM Bath vs. Marlette; Burton Atherton vs. Leslie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> This is a great opportunity for Bath, which looked strong in district play and now gets to stay home for regionals. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832069' first='Eva' last='Arambula']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043335' first='Emery' last='Wallace']</strong> teamed up for a big final at the net and give Bath a great 1-2 punch. Marlette gets a lot from senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916652' first='Abi' last='Rohling']</strong> and setter <strong>Olivia Varey</strong> has done a good job of keeping the offense in a nice groove this season. Leslie coming into this regional with an impact player in <strong>Alyssa Wing</strong>, who can hammer the ball, but also disrupt a lot of opposing attacks. She is going to pose a lot of challenges for the Burton Atherton offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: This regional just sets up really well for Bath at home. The Bees are playing the best and will have the crowd behind them to claim a big regional championship for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Regional 24 at Mt. Morris</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Matchups:</strong> No. 2 Valley Lutheran vs. No. 9 Cass City; Mt. Morris vs. HM St. Louis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Valley Lutheran has been looking like a state title contender all season and it draws a big matchup on Tuesday in Cass City, a program that is accustomed to reaching Battle Creek. The duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569773' first='Skylar' last='Ignash']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='787391' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash']</strong> will be tough to stop, but Valley Lutheran is really balanced behind the setting of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523865' first='Kate' last='Belt']</strong>. The difference in this semifinal could be the play of Valley Lutheran middles <strong>Grace Parker</strong> and <strong>Linden Pomaville</strong>, who can help slow down Cass City's sister duo. In the other semifinal, Mt. Morris gets the home court to face St. Louis. <strong>Avery Lincoln</strong> will be key for the home team. The young libero will be looking to dig up one of the top hitters in D3, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817491' first='Olivia' last='Brown']</strong>. Brown can absolutely take over a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction</strong>: Brown has had some real eye-popping performances this year and I think she gets St. Louis to the final. There, I expect Valley Lutheran to be too strong as a team. I like Valley Lutheran to advance to the quarterfinals and continue their pursuit of a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->