Division 3 Semifinals Breakdown & Predictions
We have finally reached Battle Creek and Kellogg Arena. The first division up for this weekend’s semifinals and finals is Division 3 and the matchups are very intriguing. Here’s a closer look at how the four teams play out and…
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Continue ReadingWe have finally reached Battle Creek and Kellogg Arena. The first division up for this weekend’s semifinals and finals is Division 3 and the matchups are very intriguing. Here’s a closer look at how the four teams play out and who we think will be competing for the hardware on Saturday.
Semifinal 1: No. 8 Unionville-Sebewaing vs. HM Traverse City St. Francis
The eighth-ranked Patriots went to five sets with No. 19 Brown City on Tuesday night, trailing 2-1 before rallying for the victory with a 15-8 third set. Rylee Zimmer was outstanding in the win with 30 kills, 21 digs and three blocks. Nichole Schember racked up 56 assists and four aces as well. These two will be key to Thursday’s Noon match with St. Francis.
St. Francis got past HM Beal City in its quarterfinal match in four sets. After dropping the first set, the Gladiators took over. They won 25-14, 25-15, 25-17 over the next three sets to advance to Battle Creek. St. Francis continued to use its depth at the net to overwhelm the Aggies. Molly Mirabelli had 20 kills while Brenna Poole tallied 12 and Kaylin Poole had eight and Maddie Connolly had six. They are making things easy for Hannah Sidorowicz, who had 61 assists in four sets.
Semifinal 2: No. 1. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. No. 2 Bronson
With all due respect to the first semifinal matchup, this one feels like a state championship battle. It’s hard to argue when you have to top two teams in Division 3 playing one another. SMCC had run through the playoffs, but were pushed to the brink on Tuesday against No. 5 Manchester. The Kestrels were down 2-sets-to-1 but rallied for a 25-21 fourth set and a 15-7 fifth set to advance. SMCC certainly didn’t play its best game in the win, as made a number of uncharacteristic errors, but they still found a way to win. Mikayla Haut continued her great 2018 season with 19 kills while Maddie Haut added nine and Abbie Costlow had 10. Sarah Reicker had 25 assists while Jessica Long had 23. Costlow and Kylie Barron were big at the net defensively with five blocks each.
Bronson looked very impressive in a sweep of No. 12 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian on Tuesday by scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-13. The Vikings will bring one of the best defenses of any division to Battle Creek thanks to Miss Volleyball finalist Kiera Lasky at libero. When it comes to offense, Keona Salesman is a great outside and Ashton Wronikowski is steady in the middle. Megan Lasky is a consistent setter as well that will keep SMCC guessing.
Prediction: Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central has been my gut feeling for Division 3 all season, but certainly Tuesday raised some eyebrows. Will the Kestrels handle the bright lights of Battle Creek well against a three-time defending champion in Bronson? The Vikings have a lot of championship experience and I think they will study the tape of Tuesday’s quarterfinal to see what Manchester did so well. In the other semifinal, USA was able to grow a lot in the five-set win over Brown City. The Patriots have one of the top players in the field and I think they will be too much for St. Francis.
State Championship: Bronson vs. Unionville-Sebewaing