2021 Big Guns at the Caro Regional

<p>This five set barn burner may go down as an all-time classic in Division 3 volleyball.</p> <p>The Reese Rockets and the Cass City Red Hawks are no stranger to one another. The two teams split in their conference series this season. This was the tie breaker match, winner keeps their state hopes alive and the other goes home. </p> <p>This regional boasted some of the biggest hitters in the division and one of the best setters. These two rivals went the distance and it made for one of the best matches of the season. </p> [caption id="attachment_165586" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-165586 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/2B8BAF2D-8155-4336-AE73-A3B5C8F89470-crop-756x497-1637002468-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Madison Osantowski ripping past [player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Shelby" last="Ignash"][/caption] <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172182" first="Maddi" last="Osantowski"] (2022) | 5-10 OH | Reese</p> <p>Undoubtedly, Osantowski was the star of the night. The six-rotation outside was just about every where on Thursday and she was unstoppable in the contest. Whether she was at the net or in the back, setter [player_tooltip player_id="172183" first="Aydan" last="Dalak"] had no problem finding her power play. Osantowski was just as lethal ripping out of the pipe as she was hitting at the net, something not often seen in this division. She was the go-to attacker for the Rockets in pressure moments and delivered every time notching 23 kills in the final. If she could be anymore impressive too, she was rock solid on defense, racking up 18 digs.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172183" first="Aydan" last="Dalak"] (2022) | 5-9 S | Reese</p> <p>Dalak has cemented her place as one of the best setters in the Thumb area for quite sometime now, but after Thursday night, she’s found her place as one of the top setters in the state. Dalak ran the show with composure in the finals. Her and Osantowski are a duo that are unstoppable. What’s more impressive than her setting, is Dalak’s court vision. Dalak’s dump on two is one of the most lethal in the state. She racked up 12 kills alongside her 38 assists and 18 digs. Yes, in the regional final, the setter secured a triple double. When Dalak plays, she means business. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172184" first="Kalee" last="Gray"] (2022) | 5-9 MB | Cass City</p> <p>In the fourth set, Cass City was staring at a seven point deficit late in the set, with their opponent 3 away from the victory. The comeback rally came after Gray reentered the match. The lone senior leader was rock solid all night. It was the smart, quick reaction plays that were most impressive on the night. Gray was tuned in and fought with every being she had to continue her historic season. Gray had a career night in her last match, putting down 20 kills to go with 4 blocks. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Shelby" last="Ignash"] (2025) | 6-1 MB | Cass City/Fusion</p> [caption id="attachment_165587" align="alignright" width="244"]<img class="wp-image-165587 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Shelby-Ignash-Kacee-Gray-244x300.png" alt="" width="244" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Shelby" last="Ignash"] (L), [player_tooltip player_id="172195" first="Kacee" last="Gray"] (R)[/caption] <p>Ignash is handedly one of the top freshman in the entire state this season. A raw talent for the Hawks, Ignash was packing on a punch with her swings on Thursday. With every kill, she left the audience in awe. Shelby turned just about every touch into gold, no matter where she was on the court, she was going to get the ball. This attacker’s slide is one that veterans dream of having and she is only in her rookie campaign. Ignash finished the night with third 20-kill night on the season with 22.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172195" first="Kacee" last="Gray"] (2025) | 5-8 OH | Cass City/Fusion</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="172195" first="Kacee" last="Gray"] is another name that will be down for years to come donning a maroon and white jersey. Gray and Ignash, only as freshman, elevated the play for the Red Hawks exponentially. Gray plays with composure beyond her years, you could’ve mistaken her to be a senior like her sister, Kalee. Another six-rotation outside, Gray’s defense and reception game was impressive for such a young player. While only contributing 9 kills in the contest, if it weren’t for her back court play, this match could’ve quickly turned into an easy sweep. </p>