Five teams that could shake up Division 3 in 2021
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The Division 3 Final Four has been the exact same the last two seasons. In 2021, it may be time for a shake-up. With the 2020 field at Kellogg Arena comprised of senior-driven squads, Division 3 looks like it could…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 3 Final Four has been the exact same the last two seasons.
In 2021, it may be time for a shake-up.
With the 2020 field at Kellogg Arena comprised of senior-driven squads, Division 3 looks like it could have a much different look at this year’s finals.
Here’s five teams that may be able to breakthrough and reach the next level in 2021.
Morley Stanwood
The Mohawks were a few sets away from being a quarterfinalist in 2020. They will come into the 2021 season with one luxury that no other team in D3 will have, a returning First Team All-State honoree. That is outside hitter Braelyn Berry Braelyn Berry 5'8" | OH Morley Stanwood | 2022 State MI , who is a factor all over the court. She’s definitely a player that can take over the game. Middle Madison Garbow is also back to be a great compliment in the middle for Berry. The Mohawks also bring back some experienced passers, as well as one of two starting setters from last year in Emilee Cornell.
Western Michigan Christian
While losing a pair of captains, WMC still returns five all-league honorees from their 2020 squad, which should make them a top team to be reckoned with in Division 3. Leading the way is Kyla Wiersema Kyla Wiersema 6'0" | MB Western Michigan Christian | 2022 State MI , a dynamic outside hitter that was Second Team All-State last fall. Also returning will be Madison Wiersema, Kendal Young, Haley Breuker and Elizabeth Mast. Mast and Madison Wiersema are complimentary hitters on the outside and the middle, while Young is a setting option and Breuker is a solid defender. The Warriors have experience at every position, which will go a long way in 2021.
Reese
The Rockets weren’t able to get past the district opener last year, but still took a set from eventual semifinalist Valley Lutheran. The offseason has likely been filled with motivation for Reese, which brings back a solid group from that 2020 squad. Maddi Osantowski is another dynamic outside that will be back in D3 after earning All-State Honorable Mention honors in 2020. Setter Aydan Dalak is another HM honoree that is back to feed Osantowski the ball. Libero Josie Johnson is also back after earning All-league honors last fall. Those are great foundation pieces to build on and try to make a deep postseason run.
Riverview Gabriel Richard
Richard had an interesting mix of veterans and underclassmen in 2020. Those underclassmen will look to take on bigger roles this upcoming season. Outside Natalie Neubecker was among the team leaders in kills and aces as a freshman, earning All-Region honors in the process. Fellow outside Delaney Cousino Delaney Cousino 5'7" | OH Riverview Gabriel Richard | 2024 State MI also made an impact as a freshman, giving the Pioneers an interesting 1-2 combo as sophomores. In the middle, Faith Sibert was an impact sophomore that returns for her junior year. Sarah Collins will be a senior leader in the back row as a libero to help keep the young hitters focused. If Richard can find its new starting setter without many hiccups, the Pioneers should definitely be in the mix in Division 3.
North Muskegon
The Norsemen made a regional appearance in 2020 before falling to Calvin Christian. The team loses some big pieces in outside hitter Syann Fairfield Syann Fairfield 6'0" | MB North Muskegon | 2021 MI and setter Emma Houseman, but the team can build behind middle Natalie Pannucci, who was a real force on offense and defense last fall as a sophomore. The Norsemen will have a lot of veteran passers to work with in Grace Vander Woude, Megan Houseman and Josee Cooke. That should help them ease into the transition of a new starting setter and new primary outsides. While North Muskegon may have some early struggles, by the end of the season the Norsemen could be a big factor in the Division 3 postseason.