Four Questions For The 2021 D3 Semifinalists

<p>The Division 3 finals provided the most drama during the 2021 finals weekend.</p> <p>We saw the Reese Rockets upset the entire field and leave a last memory in all that were in Battle Creek.</p> <p>Heading into the 2022 prep season, Division 3 has a lot of returning talent from the other semifinalist squads, while the reigning champion will have a lot of questions to answer.</p> <h4><strong>Reese – Can the dance party continue?</strong></h4> <p>Reese shocked many around the state when it danced its way to the Division 3 state championship last season. The Rockets took down Western Michigan Christian in the semifinal, then overcame a two-set deficit to beat SMCC in the championship match.</p> <p>Reese’s energy was contagious and its dancing between breaks kept the team loose and comfortable on the floor. Coming into 2022, can that possibly continue after graduating eight of its 11 players from the roster? Returning this fall is three seniors in DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172190" first="Jerzie" last="Vanochten"]</strong>, middle <strong>Abby Karst </strong>and outside <strong>Ashlyn Wolschleger</strong>. Each contributed a share to the 2021 squad. Karst and Wolschleger combined for over 130 kills, while VanOchten was second on the team in digs with over 400. She also led the team in aces with 57. It will be a lot to ask for these three to lead Reese back to the state final, but I’m sure they will have their dancing shoes on.</p> <h4><strong>SMCC – How motivating will the finals loss be?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_166316" align="alignright" width="209"]<img class="wp-image-166316 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0491-209x300.jpg" alt="" width="209" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"][/caption] <p>The Kestrels were just a play or two away from winning a third consecutive Division 3 state title. SMCC was a bit of a surprise in last year’s D3 race given the graduation losses it had from the 2020 season. The team was heavily led by underclassmen. While that youth showed in some of the pressure situations in Battle Creek, it means the Kestrels should once again be among the D3 favorites.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156321" first="McKenna" last="Payne"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156292" first="Jessica" last="Costlow"]</strong> were two of the most productive freshmen in the state last season and will be back to lead SMCC this fall. Costlow is a dynamic hitter that can play the middle or the outside. Payne is actually one of the state’s top liberos during club season, but led SMCC in kills last season as an outside. Senior <strong>Kyleigh Cobb </strong>is also back as a standout defender to go alongside Payne. With the pedigree of success the program has created, along with having two outstanding sophomores to build with, it should be another great year for SMCC.</p> <h4><strong>Western Michigan Christian – Who will replace the twins?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_176177" align="alignright" width="204"]<img class="wp-image-176177" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/01/WMC-Kendal-Young-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="204" height="232" /> [player_tooltip player_id="173610" first="Kendal" last="Young"][/caption] <p>WMC was among the top D3 teams all year in 2021 and a lot of that was due to having the 1-2 punch of senior twins <strong>Madison Wiersema </strong>and <strong>Kyla Wiersema </strong>at the net. Both stood 6’1” and delivered tremendous power on their attacks while being dominant blockers as well. With those two graduating, WMC now has to find its new go-to hitting options.</p> <p>Thankfully for coach Trent Smillie, he was sure to work some young hitters into the mix last year to be somewhat prepared for this situation. Outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156344" first="Hannah" last="Heiss"] </strong>and <strong>Abigail Leffring</strong> were solid contributors as freshmen. They were right behind the twins in terms of being kill leaders on the squad. They also were solid in the back row and combined for over 750 digs. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="173610" first="Kendal" last="Young"] </strong>is back for her senior season to also aid in the transition. She can run a fast offense and will be a great on-court leader for this younger squad of hitters. The Warriors should still be a contender in the D3 picture this year, and could really push for a run to Battle Creek if it can find key role players to step in.</p> <h4><strong>McBain – Will it be another 10-year wait?</strong></h4> [caption id="attachment_207873" align="alignright" width="173"]<img class="wp-image-207873" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/McBain-7-Gabrielle-VerBerkmoes-2-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="173" height="241" /> Gabrielle VerBerkmoes[/caption] <p>McBain made its return to Battle Creek for the first time since 2009 last season. The Ramblers fell in three sets to SMCC, but each set was decided by just two points. McBain showed a lot of spirit and didn’t look intimidated by the semifinal setting. Can they bottle that up again in 2022 to prove last year was no fluke?</p> <p>The 2022 season could be another strong one, as McBain returns a number of key players from last year. Leading the way is senior middle <strong>Gabrielle VerBerkmoes</strong>. She was a big presence at the net last year with over 300 kills. She’s joined by fellow senior middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152532" first="Linde" last="VanderVlucht"]</strong>, giving McBain a powerful 1-2 punch. Sophomore outside <strong>Gwyneth VerBerkmoes </strong>was also a steady contributor at the net as a freshman. Senior setter <strong>Analiese Fredin </strong>is also back to run the offense. Along with her great setting, she’s a proven factor at the service line. If McBain can find its defensive pieces, it should still be one of the top teams in Division 3.</p>