North Branch Class of '24 Finishes Decade Together with Finals Repeat

By Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com

November 18, 2023

BATTLE CREEK – A decade’s worth of team volleyball came to an end Saturday afternoon for eight North Branch seniors.

So while the Broncos had just won their second-straight Division 2 title, the tinge of sadness to the tears streaming down their faces was understandable.

“All of us started, a majority of us eight seniors started when we were 8 years old in North Branch volleyball club,” Broncos senior Alana Deshetsky said. “No one, pretty much, left until they were in high school and played one or two years at a different club. We were all trained here and all played with each other since we were 8, so I think we have a deeper connection than most other teams.

“We pulled up a picture this weekend from our first year, and pretty much all of us girls were in it. It was really sad to see girls that I’d played with forever, and I won’t play with again. Most teams end on a low, but when you end on a high, you want it to keep going.”

While they won’t get to keep things going after the 25-18, 25-14, 25-18 win against Grand Rapids West Catholic at Kellogg Arena, this group has left a legacy that will never be forgotten at a program that was already considered one of the state’s elite.

Grand Rapids West Catholic's Mia Henne (4) sends a kill attempt into the block of Kaela Chingwa (10) and Clara Gyoromy (14).For the first time in program history, North Branch won back-to-back titles. That came after a runner-up finish in 2021, giving a class that had been major contributors since they were freshmen three Finals appearances in four years. 

And, as freshman, they lost in five sets to the eventual Division 2 champion, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

“I think it was something (coach Jim Fish) definitely saw the potential in us,” senior libero Hailey Green said. “We were freshmen. In that game our freshmen year, we were just trying to hang with Notre Dame Prep. I think our junior year it kind of hit us. Like, ‘Oh, we’re in the state finals.’ It definitely hit us last year.”

Fish definitely saw it early. When they were eighth graders, Fish coached them in a summer tournament in Ohio. It was a tournament that featured a varsity and JV division, and for the first time in his career, Fish chose to coach the JV group.

“(People) said, ‘Why are you coaching them?’ And I said, ‘Because I know what we’re going to be doing,’” Fish said. “We’ve been working with this group for a long time. As good of players as they are, they’re nicer kids. They’re team academic all-state, individual academic all-state. Phenomenal kids in the community.”

North Branch (56-4-1) spent the entire season ranked No. 1 in Division 2, and Fish scheduled the best competition he could find throughout the state – and even in some adjoining states – to keep his group sharp.

It worked, as did playing with a target on their backs the entire season.

Adrienne Greschaw sets the Broncos' offense. “These teams scouted us very hard all season long,” Deshetsky said. “Our last tournament, I think we looked around and there were five cameras on our court scouting us for the postseason. This postseason was very difficult, because teams knew us as much as they could have, inside and out. They knew what we would do, because when you’re at the top, you’re the target, and everyone was coming for us.”

North Branch defeated the No. 2 team Grand Rapids Christian in Thursday’s Semifinal, but didn’t let down at all in the Final.

Aubree Deshetsky led the North Branch attack against West Catholic with 14 kills, while Clara Gyomory had nine. Adrienne Greschaw had 31 assists. The Deshetsky sisters led the defense, as Aubree had 19 digs and Alana had 13. 

Brooke Tietz had seven kills to lead West Catholic, while Emma Tuttle had six. Alivia Mott had 11 assists, while Amelia Gagnon had 12 digs and Grace Steiner had 10.

“It was a great match – North Branch is a super good volleyball club,” West Catholic coach Megan Eversman said. “I think our kids gave a fight as hard as they could fight against that team. I’m just really proud of all of their efforts that they had.”

While North Branch had loads of experience at Kellogg Arena, West Catholic (38-10-6) was making its first Finals appearance.

“I’m just really proud that our team could get here,” Tuttle said. “I think we worked really hard this season to get here, and for our last season, I’m really proud.”

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) North Branch players celebrate their repeat Division 2 title win at Kellogg Arena. (Middle) Grand Rapids West Catholic's Mia Henne (4) sends a kill attempt into the block of Kaela Chingwa (10) and Clara Gyoromy (14). (Below) Adrienne Greschaw sets the Broncos' offense. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)

Southwest 10 Conference Welcoming Volleyball Athletes as Legacy Officials

By Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com

November 13, 2024

Instead of just hitting a volleyball, Gracie Smith now finds herself enjoying the larger picture.

The Decatur senior has spent the last six years playing volleyball at different levels. But thanks to an innovative new program undertaken by the Southwest 10 Conference, Smith now sees the sport through an entirely new light.

She's one of 13 varsity volleyball players at three schools who've added another paragraph to their resume: officiating.

The players have become MHSAA-registered officials cleared to work Southwest 10 Conference middle school and freshman matches as part of the MHSAA Legacy Program. Smith said the program has contributed much to her love of the game by helping her better understand the officials during her own varsity matches and providing her opportunities to give back to the community and help out a sport in dire need of new officials – in addition to adding a bit of spending money to her budget.

"I am excited about trying this," Smith said. "I can make some extra cash, be at the same level of officials who do our games and take what I've learned on the court and put that knowledge to use.

"I definitely think I'll do this again next year. I can earn a few extra bucks, and I can give something back to the game"

Eric Frohriep, president of the All-Star Officials Association and assigner of officials to Southwest 10 matches, said the project was borne out of a necessity to attract new officials to the sport.

He sent inquires to conference schools looking for high school-aged players willing to undergo officials training that included viewing a video and power point zoom presentation on YouTube. Twenty-three players wound up attending a clinic this past summer, and 13 from Centreville, Decatur and White Pigeon took the next step by registering as officials. They were eligible to work mostly middle school games this fall.

Frohriep hopes the numbers will grow but is more than content with the program's initial steps. He said volleyball is in critical need of attracting new officials to replace those retiring or moving on. He estimates the average age of volleyball officials to be about 60, and the existing cadre of officials is being spread too thin, including a dwindling number of Southwest 10 Conference officials willing to work several nights a week plus weekend tournaments.

"We absolutely have to," he said of attracting new officials. "For those who retire, we're not replacing them fast enough. We've got to lure new officials to maintain the amount of officials we need."

If the new recruits' reactions are any indication, the program is off to a solid start. Decatur senior setter Sienna Potter said it beats other teenage money-making endeavors from babysitting to working at the mall, plus keeps athletes around a sport they love.

"It was fun," said Potter, who worked a handful of both middle school and freshman matches this fall. "I definitely think officiating can be in my future. There's a big need for referees, and I think this was a good idea. I like the money, but I think it also builds my skill in talking to officials at our games. I liked it a lot. It's something interesting, and the money helps out."

Decatur senior Abby Baushke, who has played volleyball competitively for eight years, worked four middle school matches this fall. The experience left her with a more insightful view of the officials she sees at her own varsity matches.

"Plus it helps me give back to the community and helps players understand the sport better," said Baushke, a Wayne State volleyball commit. "I think (officiating) is easier for us because we've played the game. I've learned that it's hard to make quick calls because the game goes so fast. I've played club for four years, and this definitely can be useful to me besides making money."

White Pigeon athletic director Brooke McClure, a former volleyball official, said the program was successful enough that the Southwest 10 elected to start similar programs in basketball and wrestling this winter. Baseball, track, softball and soccer will follow in the spring.

"It's definitely win-win," she said. "There is a shortage of referees and I think, No. 1, these girls are thinking about the game they love and can see the value in that. They're going to learn what it's like to spend a day in officials' shoes. If we can get more girls involved, then this is our contribution to that."

White Pigeon junior Mercede McDaniel, who has played the sport since fourth grade, admits there was a bit of trepidation as she eased into the program, but that was quickly replaced with the confidence of being a registered official.

"It's a nice way to see volleyball," she said. "I was a little nervous at first in trying this, but I love the game. I definitely liked it."

PHOTO Centreville’s Mary Stears stands adjacent and above the net as she officiates a match this fall. (Photo courtesy of the Centreville athletic department.)