Division 3 semifinals breakdown & predictions

<p>Before the start of the 2021 season, it was hard to wrap your head around the idea of SMCC winning a third consecutive Division 3 state championship.</p> <p>Yet, here we are at finals weekend and SMCC finds itself back in Battle Creek with three new challengers trying to unseat them.</p> <p>The Kestrels are the big name in the D3 semifinals, but there’s a lot of talent that they will be up against as they try to defend their title once again.</p> <p>Here’s a look at the two semifinals that will open up Friday’s action in Battle Creek.</p> <h4><strong>No. 1 Western Michigan Christian vs. No. 13 Reese, Noon</strong></h4> <p>WMC has been right near the top of the rankings all season as the Warriors sought their first Kellogg Arena appearance. They take on Reese, which is making its second-ever semifinal appearance and first since 2010. This matchup features a real battle of top hitters, though very different. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172182" first="Maddi" last="Osantowski"] </strong>has been the leader for Reese, posting 545 kills, but also is a great defender with 384 digs. She will go head-to-head with WMC’s powerful middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60835" first="Kyla" last="Wiersema"]</strong>, who hit .316 this season with 618 kills and 146 blocks. Wiersema has power that may not be matched by anyone in D3 this weekend. That puts focus on the Reese defensive effort, which is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172186" first="Josie" last="Johnson"]</strong>, a calm and collected senior in the back row. The Rockets will also rely a lot on senior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172183" first="Aydan" last="Dalak"]</strong>, who is not afraid to call her own number and play aggressively. WMC will look for <strong>Madison Wiersema</strong> to join her sister as a big force up front. She also is approaching 150 blocks on the year. <strong>Kendal Young</strong> has a good connection with both at setter and is near 1,400 assists for the year. The big question for this game is can Reese defend better than WMC can attack? I am not sure the Rockets will be able to do so. <strong>Prediction: </strong>WMC over Reese in 4</p> <h4><strong>No. 2 SMCC vs. No. 9 McBain</strong></h4> <p>The defending champs topped No. 3 Pewamo-Westphalia in the quarterfinal and what makes SMCC impressive is how their starting lineup this year compared to last is almost completely different. The Kestrels still have some senior leaders behind setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="24850" first="Kate" last="Collingsworth"] </strong>and <strong>Audrey Cousino</strong>, but freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156321" first="McKenna" last="Payne"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"]</strong> are the offensive leaders with over 400 kills each, both hitting over .370. McBain is making its first trip to Kellogg Arena since 2009, so the lights could create some jitters, especially against this D3 power. The Ramblers do have a lot of offensive options, led by seniors <strong>Emma Schierbeek </strong>and <strong>Jersey Scott</strong>. Schierbeek has really stepped up in recent matches and might be the dark horse to steal the show this weekend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152532" first="Linde" last="VanderVlucht"] </strong>and <strong>Gabrielle VerBerkmoes </strong>are two big junior middles that SMCC will have to contend with. The Kestrels definitely lack size in compare to McBain. It could take SMCC some time to adjust to that, but the Kestrels have shown that they are the program they are for a reason. The winning of past teams has filtered down to these young talents and they already play with the poise of an upper classmen. They won’t be intimidated by this stage. I don’t know that we can say that about McBain. <strong>Prediction: </strong>SMCC over McBain in 5</p>