Division 3 Semifinals Breakdown & Predictions

<p>It’s pretty amazing when you consider all that has happened since the last Division 3 state finals, that the exact same four teams have found their way back to Battle Creek this weekend.</p> <p>The Division 3 semifinals this postseason are the same as last season, with all four teams managing to navigate this crazy season to get back to Kellogg Arena.</p> <p>The motivation is strong for all four, but Valley Lutheran and Beaverton were happy to be in Battle Creek last year. This year, they will not be happy to just be bystanders.</p> <p>Here’s a closer look at the two semifinal matchups that get finals weekend underway on Thursday afternoon.</p> <h4><strong>Saginaw Valley Lutheran vs. Schoolcraft – Thursday at Noon</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_125973" align="alignright" width="216"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-125973" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/01/Peyton-Barnikowski-216x300.jpg" alt="" width="216" height="300" /> Peyton Barnikowski[/caption] <p>Valley Lutheran was overwhelmed by Schoolcraft in last year’s semifinals, as the Eagles picked up a 25-10, 25-11, 25-12 victory. The Chargers didn’t have an answer for Schoolcraft, as they hit just .013 as a team in the loss.</p> <p>This time around, Valley Lutheran looks much stronger. The Chargers don’t look to have a weak point. They are experienced and senior-heavy at key positions. <strong>Sydney Krause </strong>runs a great offense at setter while <strong>Peyton Bartnikowski </strong>will be out to prove she’s an outside that can hang with anyone else in Division 3. Junior middles <strong>Ashlyn Martin </strong>and <strong>Olivia Grimpo </strong>will be a lot for Schoolcraft to deal with. Defensively libero <strong>Kya Belill</strong> got a taste of Battle Creek last year and will be ready to avenge that performance on Thursday.</p> <p>Schoolcraft lost one of the best players in the state, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49379" first="Andelyn" last="Simkins"]</strong>, from last year’s squad, but the team returns a lot of talent from last year and is very balanced as well. Middles <strong>Anna Schuppel </strong>and <strong>Maggie Morris </strong>will be up for the challenge of competing against the Chargers attack, while setter <strong>Kayla Onken </strong>will continue to mix up her sets and keep Valley Lutheran guessing. <strong>Allie Goldschmeding </strong>has a chance to really shine this weekend as she has had a much bigger role for Schoolcraft with Simkins graduating. Defensively, <strong>Kelby Goldschemding </strong>has been as good as anyone at libero. She was a big unsung hero in the 2019 season and will be a big key for Schoolcraft this weekend.</p> <p>I expect a much more competitive contest this time around, but Schoolcraft remains the team to beat. The Eagles were just points shy of a state championship in 2019 and have played with a chip on their shoulder all season. Valley Lutheran should be more composed on Thursday, but the Chargers are still new to winning in Battle Creek. I like Schoolcraft to rely on their experience to win those crucial points in tight sets.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: Schoolcraft over Valley Lutheran in four</strong></p> <h4><strong>Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Beaverton – Thursday at 2 p.m.</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_104226" align="alignright" width="267"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-104226" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Mikayla-Haut-4-267x300.jpg" alt="" width="267" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="50288" first="Mikayla" last="Haut"][/caption] <p>The defending D3 state champions got a challenge from Beaverton early on in last year’s meeting before the Kestrels found their groove and didn’t let up. SMCC grabbed a 25-20, 25-17, 25-7 victory. The Beavers couldn’t slow down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50288" first="Mikayla" last="Haut"]</strong>, who had 24 kills and hit .455 for the Kestrels.</p> <p>Beaverton was a very business-like in a dominant sweep of Calumet during the quarterfinal. <strong>Molly Gerow </strong>continues to be a well-rounded, six-rotation outside that can finish at the net and smoothly play defense. <strong>Mady Pahl </strong>is a veteran setter that knows the right time to call her own number. Her aggressive play will be needed against SMCC. The Beavers have other arms they can turn to on Thursday as well in <strong>Faith Danielak</strong>, <strong>Hannah Stearns </strong>and <strong>Becca Wirt</strong>, all of which were part of last year’s semifinal. Defensively, <strong>Alexis Grove </strong>was in the back row last year and has <strong>Leiyah Mungin </strong>alongside her.</p> <p>SMCC is still the juggernaut it was a year ago, with most of the roster back from this attempt at a repeat championship. Haut was a Miss Volleyball finalist for a reason and is the most complete player in Division 3. She knows when to dial it up a notch and will bring her best game this weekend. She is one of three First Team All-State hitters for SMCC this season, as <strong>Anna Dean </strong>and <strong>Abbie Costlow</strong> join her. The powerful offense overwhelmed a proud Bronson program in a quarterfinal sweep on Tuesday. SMCC had seven players on the All-Region team as setters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24850" first="Kate" last="Collingsworth"] </strong>and <strong>Grace Lipford</strong> were both members, as well as middle <strong>Kylie Barron</strong>. Defensively, <strong>Jaydin Nowak </strong>is a veteran in the back row and a real staple for the team. As good as the SMCC offense is, it was their defensive play that won them a state championship last year.</p> <p>I see this match playing out a lot like the first semifinal. Beaverton should put up a much tougher fight this time around. However, the Kestrels look to deep on paper. They know what it takes to win, they will have the best player on the floor, and they are still hungry. Until someone can beat the Kestrels, I will continue to pick them.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: SMCC over Beaverton in three</strong></p>