2021 Prep Preview: Top offenses in Division 3

<p>Division 3 provides a lot of intrigue for the 2021 season, especially with the 2020 semifinalists all dealing with some heavy graduation losses offensively.</p> <p>That leaves the playing field wide open for some teams to make a big jump up in the statewide picture. Here’s five teams that will bring back a strong offense to contend with this fall in D3.</p> <h4><strong>Morley Stanwood</strong></h4> <p>The Mohawks made a push to reach the final week of play last season and came up just short. However, they have the only returning First Team All-State player in D3 from last year, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24840" first="Braelyn" last="Berry"]</strong>. She will have a major impact this season as a senior. She also has teammate <strong>Madison Garbow </strong>in the middle, along with a returning setter in <strong>Emilee Cornell</strong>. <strong>Ayiana Sims </strong>is a returning outside with some experience to build on as well. Stanwood should be able to bring a strong attack with this returning group and make another push at a deep postseason run.</p> <h4><strong>Western Michigan Christian</strong></h4> <p>WMC is another team bringing back an All-State outside hitter. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60835" first="Kyla" last="Wiersema"] </strong>was Second Team in D3 last season and back to lead the Warriors this fall. She is part of an offense that has four All-League honorees back, including <strong>Madison Wiersema </strong>and <strong>Elizabeth Mast </strong>at the net on the outside and middle. <strong>Kendal Young </strong>is a returning setter that has a good connection with the trio and should be able to build in more options as the season progresses.</p> <h4><strong>Bronson</strong></h4> <p>The Vikings have some big holes to fill in 2021, no question. Losing setter <strong>Meagan Lasky </strong>to graduation will be a big blow, but Bronson is a team that is able to recharge quickly. <strong>Karissa Gest </strong>is a proven commodity at outside hitter and will return to lead the Bronson offense. Also back for Bronson are All-League honorees <strong>Kaylee Withington </strong>on the outside and <strong>Macy Covey </strong>in the middle. A well-coached team, these hitters will help bring along the new setter and keep the Bronson offense as one of the best in D3.</p> <h4><strong>Reese</strong></h4> <p>Reese will have some proving to do, but it returns two big pieces to its offense that should help it start the 2021 season on a fast track. Outside hitter <strong>Maddi Osantowski </strong>and setter <strong>Aydan Dalak </strong>were both Honorable Mention All-State in 2020 and will be senior leaders in 2021. Two will not make an offense, but these two can handle a lot of the workload while others develop. Osantowski has proven she can play at a high level and she has great chemistry with Dalak.</p> <h4><strong>Charlevoix</strong></h4> <p>The Rayders were a district champion in 2020 and have some nice hitting options to build on for this season. <strong>Grace Lentz </strong>and <strong>Claire Scholten</strong> are a nice 1-2 punch on the outsides for Charlevoix to work with. While graduating their setter, there are sure to be some bumps in the road along the way for the offense early in the season. However, this hitting duo can raise the game of their teammates and help the Rayders remain a D3 contender in 2021.</p>