D3/D4 Showdown Preview: Team Breakdown (Pt. 1)

<p>One of the biggest tournaments of the year is just days away. We're bringing the best of the best in Division 3 and Division 4 four one epic showdown. </p>   <p>Only taking the best of the best from each division, we have returning state champions, alongside some heavy favorites for this year's tournament. It's all here at the St. Joe's Sports Complex at Schoolcraft College.</p>   <p>Let's take a look at the teams in attendance and what they're bringing to the showdown.</p>   <h2>Reese</h2>   <p>The reigning state champs will have all eyes on them this weekend in Livonia. One of the most iconic stories we may ever see across all divisions, Reese had a true Cinderella moment in 2021. Coming into this season, they lost a lot of that sparkle that made the magic workand seem to be in a rebuild mode. But I wouldn't count them out. Led by a pair of sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='226941' first='Jaidyn' last='Vanochten'], the two keep this engine running. A true X-Factor on this squad is MB <strong>Abby Karst</strong>, a state qualifier in the Shot Put, Karst has a lot of strength and can bring down the heat at the net. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/12/84-Allison-Pilat-934x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-170148" width="176" height="193" /></figure>   <h2>Plymouth Christian</h2>   <p>Moving up a division to Division 3 this season, Plymouth Christian is still looking to have as much success as they have been seeing in Division 4. This squad just narrowly missed the mark last season, falling in the Regional Final to Allen Park, but they return some big arms. One of the biggest includes OH/MB [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'], a returning 1st Team All-State honoree. Allison is now joined by little sister<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='226911' first='Riley' last='Pilat']</strong>, who has given the Eagles an extra arm to spread out the offense.</p>   <h2>Manchester</h2>   <p>Manchester has a very promising group coming into the D3/4 Showdown. Led by the play of twin sisters, <strong>Emma Hock</strong> and <strong>Sara Hock</strong>, the outside hitter/setter duo can give plenty of fits to opponents despite their size. The Lady Dutch also play with a lot of possibility in their line up with S/RS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523623' first='Grace' last='Majewski']</strong>. Majewski is a very solid setter that set mostly during club season, but Manchester relies upon her heavily for her block and offense.</p>   <h2>Allen Park Inter City</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/Shrine-vs-Sandusky-VB-42-902x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-213939" width="195" height="221" /></figure>   <p>This is a squad that is coming off of a historic 2021 season that included a run all the way to the State Semifinals. Last year, Allen Park was led by a very senior heavy class that included all-state honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173318' first='Bethany' last='Estell']</strong>. Of the few returners, Allen Park returns senior OH<strong> Abby Gehner</strong>. Gehner would come off of the bench in last year's semifinals and go on to hit .333 with five kills on the match. I suspect Gehner to step up big time for this year's team.</p>   <h2> Royal Oak Shrine</h2>   <p>A Quarter-Finalist a season ago, Royal Oak Shrine returns just about everyone from this team and are pretty hungry for more. I'd argue, a favorite for the Showdown crown, Shrine has the defense and offense it takes to win. Defensively, this squad is led by L [player_tooltip player_id='152531' first='Norah' last='Tisko'], and offensively by MB <strong>Margaret Jones</strong>. Tisko is putting up some big numbers, averaging around four digs per set, while Jones is Shrine's leading attacker and blocker.<br><br><em>Join us at the<a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/09/the-prep-dig-top-250-expo-series-is-back-2/"> Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>! Use code LShotPDExpo250 for 10% off your registration fee. Register before October 19th for the early bird special!</em></p>

One of the biggest tournaments of the year is just days away. We're bringing the best of the best in Division 3 and Division 4 four one epic showdown.