2021 Top Performers in the Division 4 Semi-Finals
The MHSAA volleyball season is coming to an end, but not without a bang. Division 4 opened up the semi-final rounds in Kellogg Arena and did not disappoint. The opening match went the distance with Inland Lakes topping Mount Pleasant…
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Continue ReadingThe MHSAA volleyball season is coming to an end, but not without a bang.
Division 4 opened up the semi-final rounds in Kellogg Arena and did not disappoint.
The opening match went the distance with Inland Lakes topping Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in five sets. While the second match saw perennial power Battle Creek St. Phillip Catholic Central top Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in four.
These rounds saw some undersized dandies putting on a show. Here are some of the top players.
Brooke Dzwik Brooke Dzwik 5'10" | OH Battle Creek St. Phil | 2022 State MI (2022) | 5-9 OH | St. Phillip/Team Pineapple
Dzwik has been balling out all season long and put on quite the show here in Battle Creek. The six rotation outside hitter was dominate upon first swing and kept things rolling throughout the contest with Allen Park Baptist. Dzwik has a whip of an arm and gave Baptist fits all day. Her calming presence lifted the Tigers out of a big deficit in the second set and set the tone for the match. Dzwik lead St. Phil in both kills and digs with 21 and 17 respectively.
St. Phil’s defense is elite!!!
Let’s talk that Brooke Dzwik swing too!!💣 pic.twitter.com/Jg1DRmGTcW
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) November 18, 2021
Bethany Estell (2022) | 5-10 OH | Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
Estell may have become my new favorite player today. Coming into this match, I was not sure who Baptist was but she’s left her mark. In my mind and on the court. Estell easily had the heaviest arm in the Division 4 rounds. Estell’s play got better and better as the match went on. She was dominate throughout sets two and three, keeping Baptist alive in this match. Not only was her pure brute impressive, but her usage of the block. Not often seen at this level. Bethany finished with a team high 16 kills.
You don’t wanna be in the way of a Bethany Estelle swing 🤯
24-18 St. Phil pic.twitter.com/P3IUFTzxVA— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) November 18, 2021
Alexis Snyder (2022) | 5-7 OH | St. Phillip
Snyder fit right in to give the Tigers a 1-2 punch with Dzwik. Snyder finished behind Dzwik with 13 kills on the night, a lot of these kills coming in high pressure rallies. One of the shorter hitters in these rounds, I was impressed with Snyder’s shot selection and use of the tough block across from her.
Madison Handyside (2022) | 5-10 MB | Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
Handyside was a consistent force at the net throughout the match. Her offense came up big in pressure situations but what was most impressive was her net defense. If there were an award for best blocker, she’d have my vote in Division 4. Handyside was good for four blocks on the stat sheet, but the amount of positive touches her block brought was crazy for this level.
Maddie Munley (2022) | 6-1 MB | Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Inland Lakes was looking to have this match wrapped up easily going into the fourth set. Then Munley entered the chat. Munley was a huge spark for the Irish. Tallest player on the court, Munley had no problem scoring when called upon. While her block may have not been huge on the stat sheet, she did well slowing down a scrappy Inland Lake squad. Munley notched 21 kills in her final match.
Natalie Wandrie (2023) | 5-10 OH | Inland Lakes
Wandrie was a menace in the semi-finals. Sacred Heart had no answer for Wandrie’s arm, as she racked up 25 kills on the day. Wandrie is a raw talent to watch, nothing too flashy, just gets the job done. She was the steady force that was imperative for the Bulldogs. Natalie also showed some scrappy defense adding 21 digs. Wandrie is going to be a key for Inland Lakes as they look to take down St. Phil for the ‘ship.