Standout underclassmen at the Division 3 finals
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The Division 3 state champion this year, Reese, was a veteran team made up of entirely juniors and seniors. However, there was a lot of underclassmen on display during the D3 finals weekend. Most notably was a handful from the…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 3 state champion this year, Reese, was a veteran team made up of entirely juniors and seniors.
However, there was a lot of underclassmen on display during the D3 finals weekend. Most notably was a handful from the D3 power and 2021 runner-up, SMCC.
Here’s a look at the freshmen and sophomores that put up some numbers last weekend in Battle Creek.
Jessica Costlow Jessica Costlow 5'11" | OH SMCC | 2025 State #142 Nation MI , Fr. OH/MH SMCC: Costlow can bring the heat despite being a freshman. She dialed up 15 kills, six digs and three aces for the Kestrels in the semifinal, then followed it up with 22 kills, 19 digs and three aces in the finals. She is sure to be a top player in D3 going forward.
McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI , Fr. OH SMCC: Payne is going to be a big name in D3 for many years. She played with the poise of an underclassmen all weekend and has a great skillset. In the semifinal sweep of McBain, Payne had 23 kills and 12 digs for the Kestrels. In the five-set final with Reese, Payne had 21 kills, 29 digs and four aces.
Hannah Heiss Hannah Heiss 5'9" | OH Montague | 2025 State MI , Fr. OH WMC: Heiss has a lot of promise for the Warriors. The freshman put up three kills and seven digs during the semifinal, but has been a regular part of the offense throughout the year.
Gwyneth VerBerkmoes, Fr. OH McBain: McBain definitely had some names you had to check spelling on, but also a lot of exciting talent coming back in 2022. VerBerkmoes was the lone freshman on the squad and she had four kills and four digs in the semifinal loss to SMCC.
Ashley Ruhlig, So. DS SMCC: Ruhlig played in all eight sets for the Kestrels last weekend. In the semifinal win, she tallied five digs and an ace. In the five-set final, she recorded a total of 11 digs.
Abigail Leffring, Fr. OH WMC: Another promising freshman outside for WMC, Leffring was used mostly defensively in the semifinal, picking up five digs. However, she get five attacks in the match.
Ashley Folkema, So. MB WMC: Folkema appeared in all four sets of WMC’s semifinal loss to Reese. She had one kills and a dig during her time on the floor.