Preview: Contenders Converging at Kellogg to Complete Storybook Seasons
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 15, 2023
This weekend’s Girls Volleyball Semifinals and Finals at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena have plenty of storylines for fans to follow – and almost assuredly won’t include a repeat of the snowstorm that blanketed last season’s championship rounds.
Six teams who braved the 2022 blizzard will be back this weekend, and among those six are four of the nine teams playing in pursuit of a first MHSAA Finals championship in this sport.
Reigning Division 2 champion North Branch will be back with almost the same lineup, joined by two more top-ranked teams – Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in Division 3 and Adrian Lenawee Christian in Division 4. Last season’s Division 1 runner-up Northville also is returning, along with 2022 Division 3 runner-up Kalamazoo Christian.
Four of this season’s 10 Miss Volleyball Award finalists will close the season at Kellogg, as will at least a few of the strongest contenders for the 2024 award.
Action begins Thursday with Division 2 and 3 Semifinals, with Divisions 1 and 4 on Friday and all four title matches Saturday.
All 12 matches will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv and (audio) MHSAANetwork.com. Find more information, including how to purchase tickets, on the Volleyball page.
This weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 – Friday
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern vs. Northville, 4:30 p.m.
Clarkston vs. Farmington Hills Mercy, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 - Thursday
Milan vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
North Branch vs. Grand Rapids Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Thursday
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Kalamazoo Christian, Noon
Cass City vs. Traverse City St. Francis, 2 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Adrian Lenawee Christian vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, Noon
Leland vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1, Noon
Division 2, 2:30 p.m.
Division 3, 4:30 p.m.
Division 4, 10 a.m.
Below is a glance at contenders in each division. (Statistics are through Regional Finals unless noted.)
Division 1
CLARKSTON
Record/rank: 34-3, No. 3
Coach: Ali Smith, third season (106-23-3)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cayla Cogan, 5-10 sr. OH (314 kills, .305 hitting %); Marlie Smith, 5-10 fr. OPP/S (310 kills, 255 assists, 69 aces, 268 digs); Emery Kuebler, 5-6 sr. S (756 assists).
Finals forecast: Clarkston is headed back to the Semifinals for the second time in four seasons after most recently making the trip in 2020, and the Wolves’ only losses this fall were to No. 2 Northville, No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian, and honorable mention Farmington Hills Mercy – their Semifinal opponent. Clarkston defeated Mercy twice as well, and lost only 15 games all season. Kuebler made the Division 1 all-state second team last season and sets to five hitters with at least 100 kills this fall. Cogan was a Miss Volleyball Award finalist and has committed to George Washington University, and senior libero Kiley Gallagher (400 digs, 128 assists, 52 aces) has signed with Oakland.
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY
Record/rank: 30-15-3, honorable mention
Coach: Loretta Vogel, 15th season (record N/A)
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2019, Class A runner-up 2010.
Players to watch: Kate Kalczynski, 5-11 fr. OH (427 kills, 63 aces, 243 digs); Cree Hollier, 5-9 soph. MH (204 kills, .301 hitting %, 54 blocks); Campbell Flynn, 6-3 jr. S (466 assists, 107 kills, .432 hitting %).
Finals forecast: After splitting four regular-season matches with rival Marian, Mercy swept their Quarterfinal matchup to return to the Semifinals for the first time since the championship season of 2019. And the Marlins may just be getting started again, with only two seniors on the roster but three sophomores in the starting lineup. Flynn made the all-state first team last season and already has committed to national power Nebraska. Sophomore Maya Zarow entered the week with the second-most kills on the team at 212, with lone senior starter Angie Butler (163 kills, 200 digs) also in that mix. Vogel is in her 44th season total of coaching high school volleyball and has more than 1,100 victories.
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
Record/rank: 44-7-1, No. 5
Coach: Valerie Lurye, first season (20-2)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2002), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Elana Erickson, 5-10 sr. OH (626 kills, 67 aces, 463 digs); Kendall Hopewell, 6-1 sr. MB (356 kills, .340 hitting %, 66 blocks); Lexie Stotenbur, 5-10 soph. S (1,351 assists, 51 aces, 299 digs).
Finals forecast: Forest Hills Northern is making a repeat trip to Kellogg Arena after falling to eventual champion Marian in last year’s Semifinal. The Huskies graduated a Miss Volleyball finalist but return four starters from that lineup, including all-state second-teamers Erickson and Hopewell – Erickson was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall and will continue at Western Michigan. FHN is 15-1 over its last 16 matches, the lone loss to Marian, and the Huskies avenged their two regular-season defeats to top-ranked Hudsonville with a 3-1 Regional Semifinal victory. They followed that with wins over No. 8 Byron Center and honorable mention Grand Haven to advance to this weekend.
NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 49-2, No. 2
Coach: Sarah Lindstom, third season (145-11)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Players to watch: Ella Craggs, 5-9 jr. S (1,116 assists, 61 blocks); Molly Reck, 5-10 jr. OH (453 kills); Avry Nelson, 6-3 sr. MB (314 kills, .352 hitting %, 93 blocks).
Finals forecast: Northville also graduated a Miss Volleyball finalist from last season’s team, but has five starters back after winning the first set before falling to Marian in four in the championship match. The only losses this season were to top-ranked Hudsonville and No. 7 Rockford, and Northville also defeated the Rams, and Marian, and downed No. 9 Temperance Bedford and honorable mentions Saline and South Lyon East on the way to Battle Creek. Craggs made the all-state second team and Nelson made the third last season, and several players have committed to play college volleyball including senior defensive specialist Ashlee Gnau, who has signed with Syracuse, and Craggs who has committed to Illinois State. Junior Mallory Reck is another major offensive contributor with 380 kills entering this week.
Division 2
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 35-12-1, No. 2
Coach: Amy Huisken, second season (record N/A)
League finish: Fourth in O-K White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Players to watch: Grace Goodyke, 6-0 fr. OH (291 kills); Hanna Bredeweg, 5-8 sr. S/RH (149 kills, 394 assists, 53 blocks, 242 digs); Grace Spoelma, 5-7 sr. S/RH (148 kills, 402 assists). (Statistics include Quarterfinal.)
Finals forecast: The Eagles are headed back to the Semifinals after a season away, and Bredeweg and Spoelma also were top contributors as sophomores on the 2021 Semifinals team. Grand Rapids Christian defeated No. 4 Lake Odessa Lakewood and honorable mention Ada Forest Hills Eastern on the way to Kellogg this time. Six hitters have at least 100 kills, and junior libero Madison Peal has totaled 417 digs this fall.
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 37-9-6, unranked
Coach: Megan Eversman, ninth season (259-130-19)
League finish: Second in O-K Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Emma Tuttle, 5-11 sr. OH (378 kills, 62 blocks, 501 digs); Brooke Tietz, 6-0 sr. MB (417 kills, 128 blocks, 189 digs); Emma Arsulowicz, 5-4 jr. S (475 assists, 218 digs).
Finals forecast: West Catholic has followed up its first Regional championship won last season with its first trip to the Semifinals and is riding a 20-match winning streak. The Falcons have lost only seven sets during the 20-match run, including two in defeating honorable mention Ludington 3-2 in the Quarterfinal. Tuttle and Tietz have been the lead hitters, but Arsulowicz is one of four juniors total in the starting lineup. Five hitters have at least 125 kills, with 6-1 junior middle Mia Henne another key contributor with 211 and a team-high 130 blocks entering the week.
MILAN
Record/rank: 29-6-2, unranked
Coach: Makenna Slack, first season
League finish: Second in Huron League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Courtney Nye, 5-7 sr. OH (352 kills, 260 digs); Malea Wourman, 5-7 jr. OH (294 kills, 206 digs); Madison Slack, 6-0 soph. S (864 assists, 235 digs).
Finals forecast: Makenna Slack was a four-year starter for Milan only a few seasons ago, graduating in 2020, and her first season leading the program has included the longest tournament run in Milan volleyball history. The Big Reds did reach the Regional Final last season, losing the Dearborn Divine Child, and followed up their first Regional title last week by defeating Divine Child in Tuesday’s Quarterfinal. They’ve swept eight of their last nine opponents, and three of their six losses came to teams playing this weekend (Monroe St. Mary twice and Lenawee Christian). Nye and middle Maria Stines (113 kills) both start and with defensive specialist Hailey Knox are the team’s only seniors.
NORTH BRANCH
Record/rank: 53-4-1, No. 1
Coach: Jim Fish, 24th season (1,325-223-52)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Adrienne Greschaw, 5-8 sr. S (1,216 assists); Hailey Green, 5-1 sr. L (481 digs, 60 aces); Clara Gyomory, 5-9 sr. RS (431 kills, .395 hitting %, 64 blocks).
Finals forecast: The reigning Division 2 champion, and 2021 runner-up, is absolutely loaded with five starters plus libero Green back from last season. Green and Greschaw were Miss Volleyball finalists this fall and joined by Gyomory on last year’s Division 2 all-state first team, while seniors Alana Deshetsky (445 kills, .301 hitting %, 89 aces) and Kaela Chingwa made the third team in 2022. Sophomore Aubree Deshetsky has been filling up the stat sheet too this season with 455 kills and 387 digs entering the week. The Broncos’ only losses were to Division 1 top-ranked Hudsonville, No. 4 Marian, Division 2 Division 5 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Chicago Marist, and they defeated No. 3 Marysville, No. 6 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and No. 7 Frankenmuth over their last three matches.
Division 3
CASS CITY
Record/rank: 34-6-5, No. 10
Coach: Amy Cuthrell, eighth season (166-46-12)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Shelby Ignash, 6-0 jr. M/DS (469 kills, 93 blocks, 334 digs); Kacee Gray, 5-7 jr. OH/DS (424 kills, 340 digs); Isabelle Phillips, 5-6 jr. S (968 assists, 58 aces).
Finals forecast: Four of six starters are back from the Cass City team that reached the Semifinals a year ago, with the three listed above joined by senior Josie Spencer – the only senior on the team. Ignash made the all-state first team last season, and Gray earned an honorable mention, and they’ve been the top hitters as the Red Hawks have put together a postseason run of four shutouts and a 3-1 win over No. 8 Saginaw Valley Lutheran in the Quarterfinal. Spencer (340 digs, 189 kills) remains a key part of the lineup. Cass City is 12-0-2 over its last 14 matches and had an early split this fall with Kalamazoo Christian.
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 41-6-3, No. 4
Coach: Carlie Southland, second season (79-12-6)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2022, Lower Peninsula Class C-D runner-up 1976.
Players to watch: Holland DeVries, 5-9 sr. OH (343 kills, 82 aces, 390 digs); Makenna Ekkens, 5-6 sr. OH (352 kills, 93 aces, 509 digs); Lola Stecker, 5-6 sr. S (931 assists, 165 kills).
Finals forecast: Kalamazoo Christian is another repeat Semifinals qualifier and finished Division 3 runner-up last season, losing in four sets to Pewamo-Westphalia – which the Comets defeated Tuesday to advance this time. DeVries made the all-state second team and Ekkens made the third a year ago, and they are joined by three more returning starters from the 2022 championship match – Stecker, junior right-side hitter Annelise DeJong (247 kills) and senior middle Mackenzie Ash (161 kills). Kalamazoo Christian hasn’t lost a set over five postseason matches and has won 17 of its last 18 matches total.
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 33-8-1, No. 1
Coach: Cassandra Haut, third season (109-25-1)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Madeline Dettling, 6-0 soph. OH (299 kills); Jessica Costlow, 5-11 jr. OH (408 kills, .353 hitting %, 496 digs); McKenna Payne, 5-7 jr. S (781 assists, 365 digs).
Finals forecast: SMCC has fallen to the eventual Division 3 champion the last two years, and after ending in the Quarterfinals a year ago is back at the Semifinals for the fourth time over the last five seasons. The Kestrels have swept all five of their playoff opponents, including No. 3 Plymouth Christian Academy on Tuesday, and seen most of the best in the state regardless of division with regular-season wins over Mercy, Milan, Marian, Lakewood and Bedford among others. Costlow and Payne made the all-state first team last season, and Dettling made the third team. They are joined in the starting lineup by three seniors who all had at least 120 kills entering the week. Payne has committed to sign with Utah, and Costlow has committed to Toledo.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 37-9-1, No. 5
Coach: Kathleen Nance, fifth season (140-67-7)
League finish: First in Lake Michigan Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2012.
Players to watch: Reese Jones, 5-4 soph. S (704 assists, 74 aces, 294 digs); Garnet Mullet, 5-9 sr. OH (333 kills, 91 aces, 357 digs); Avery Nance, 5-4 jr. L (98 aces, 539 digs).
Finals forecast: St. Francis is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2018 after defeating No. 7 Calumet and honorable mention Shelby along the way. The Gladiators have won 16 of their last 17 matches, with a loss to Division 1 Traverse City Central the only one during that run. Avery Nance made the all-state third team last season and Mullet earned an honorable mention, and the latter is the team’s only senior as the roster is filled out by four juniors and seven sophomores. Sophomores Quinn Yenshaw (346 kills) and Claire Hurley (277) are two more key hitters, and junior Tessa Konas (504 assists) has led the attack as well. Kathleen Nance formerly coached Central for four seasons and was a two-time state champion player growing up in Oklahoma.
Division 4
ADRIAN LENAWEE CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 46-5-1, No. 1
Coach: Tenille Marowelli, first season (46-5-1)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2004), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Gabby Bryja, 5-4 sr. S (1,326 assists, 69 aces, 435 digs); Sophia Samonek, 5-11 sr. MH (483 kills, .313 hitting %, 386 digs, 85 blocks); Hannah Baker, 5-11 sr. MH/OH (471 kills, .480 hitting %, 377 digs).
Finals forecast: After reaching the Quarterfinals the last two years, Lenawee Christian has advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since the 2005-06 winter season, a run that has included wins over No. 3 Hillsdale Academy and No. 7 Battle Creek St. Philip. The Cougars also defeated No. 2 Mendon during the regular season. Baker made the all-state first team last season, and Bryja made the second, and they join with Samonek and outside hitter Whitney Lilly (277 kills, 74 aces) to give Lenawee Christian four senior starters. Marowelli played at Lenawee Christian, graduating in 2010, and Spring Arbor before coaching in Indiana and then returning to eventually take over the program.
CLARKSTON EVEREST COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 30-4-2, No. 10
Coach: Danielle Walker, first season (30-4-2)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League Intersectional
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Sarah Bradley, 6-0 jr. OH (349 kills, .450 hitting %, 210 digs); Erica Walker, 5-6 jr. S/RS (541 assists, 155 digs); Madelyn Krappmann, 5-10 jr. OH (260 kills, .320 hitting %, 53 aces).
Finals forecast: Danielle Walker’s first season has turned into the best in program history as Everest has reached the Semifinals for the first time after also claiming its first Regional title. Krappmann and Bradley earned all-state honorable mentions a year ago and help pace a roster that has only one senior. The Mountaineers defeated No. 6 Marlette on Tuesday to advance and are 15-1-1 over their last 17 matches.
CRYSTAL FALLS FOREST PARK
Record/rank: 34-2, No. 9
Coach: Bobbie Jo Anderson, fourth season (86-36-9)
League finish: First in Skyline Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ema Stepien, 5-8 OH sr. (288 kills, .400 hitting %, 98 aces); Elsie Williams, 5-5 soph. S/OH (410 assists); Ava Fischer, 5-6 soph. OH (237 kills, .350 hitting %, 67 aces, 222 digs).
Finals forecast: Forest Park is making a return trip to Battle Creek as well and has taken another big step with 12 more wins than a year ago. The entire starting lineup except for last season’s libero is back, and four seniors are among eight in the main playing group. Senior middle Leah Feldhausen (212 kills, .350 hitting %) is another key hitter, and senior Charlie Larson (373 assists, 52 aces) also directs the attack while junior Audrey Franz paced the defense with 400 digs entering the week. The Trojans’ only two losses were to Kingsford, a Division 2 District winner.
LELAND
Record/rank: 40-16-2, No. 4
Coach: Laurie Glass, 29th season (1,123-362-102)
League finish: First in Northwest Conference
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), eight runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Fiona Moord, 6-2 sr. OH (509 kills, 117 aces, 247 digs); Olive Ryder, 5-8 sr. OH (249 kills, 103 aces, 426 digs); Kelsey Allen, 6-0 sr. MB (318 kills, 56 blocks).
Finals forecast: Leland may be few in number, with just seven players, but is high in experience with five seniors and strong at the net with senior Shelby Plamondon (250 kills) another 6-footer in the middle. Leland fell to eventual Division 4 champion Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in last season’s Quarterfinal, but avenged with a win over the No. 5 Irish on Tuesday – and seven of the team’s losses were to opponents ranked or earning honorable mentions in Divisions 1, 2 or 3. Moord made the all-state first team last season, and Allen and Ryder made the second team. Junior Abby Hicks directs the attack and had 1,172 assists entering the week, while senior libero Mallory Lowe had a team-high 444 digs and junior Kally Sluiter also is among four players with at least 240.
PHOTOS (Top) Adrienne Greschaw (1) sets the North Branch attack during its Quarterfinal win over Frankenmuth. (Middle) Clarkston's Rylee Hunt (11) prepares to put up a block as Macomb L'Anse Creuse North's Kate Schneider connects during their Division 1 Quarterfinal. (Photos by Terry Lyons.)
Preview: Major Matchups, Multiple 1st-Time Champs Guaranteed
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 16, 2022
We can make one promise heading into this weekend’s MHSAA Volleyball Semifinals and Finals at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena, and it’s a two-parter.
There will be first-time champions in Divisions 3 and 4, as all eight finalists making the trip this weekend are seeking their first title – and five of those eight will be working as well to reach the last day of the season for the first time.
We also can guarantee a first-time finalist in Division 2, as Cadillac and Dearborn Divine Child face off on one side of the bracket. And in Division 1, for the second-straight year, the top three-ranked teams from the final regular-season coaches poll have advanced – and two-time reigning champion Bloomfield Hills Marian may get the chance to face the only team to defeat the Mustangs this fall.
Action begins Thursday with Division 1 and 4 Semifinals, with Divisions 2 and 3 on Friday and all four title matches Saturday.
All 12 matches will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv and (audio) MHSAANetwork.com. Click for more information, including how to purchase tickets, from the Volleyball page of the MHSAA Website.
This weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 - Thursday
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 4:30 p.m.
Saline vs. Northville, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 - Friday
Grand Rapids South Christian vs. North Branch, 4:30 p.m.
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Cadillac, 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Cass City, Noon
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Calumet, 2 p.m.
Division 4 – Thursday
Athens vs. Lansing Christian, Noon
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1, Noon
Division 2, 4:30 p.m.
Division 3, 2:30 p.m.
Division 4, 10 a.m.
Below is a glance at contenders in each division. (Statistics are through Regional Finals for most teams.)
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS MARIAN
Record/rank: 47-1, No. 1
Coach: Mayssa Cook, fifth season (221-26-3)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-2 (Quarterfinal), 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 4 Clarkston, 3-0 (Regional Final), 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 10 Macomb Dakota, 2-0 over No. 9 Rockford, 2-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 3-0 over No. 8 Farmington Hills Mercy; 3-1 over honorable mention Lake Orion, 2-0 over honorable mention Temperance Bedford, 2-1 over Division 2 No. 2 North Branch, 2-0 and 2-0 over Division 2 No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Players to watch: Ava Sarafa, 6-0 sr. S (1,226 assists, 257 digs); Ella Schomer, 6-0 sr. OPP (288 kills, .317 hitting %); Izzy Busignani, 6-1 soph. OH (457 kills, .304 hitting %, 299 digs)
Finals forecast: Improving on the 2021 championship season would have been difficult, but Marian may be in the process as it seeks its third-straight Division 1 title – the Mustangs’ lone loss was to Northville, and they’ve given up nine sets total. Sarafa and Schomer were Miss Volleyball finalists this year, with Sarafa having made the all-state first team and Schomer the second last season. Senior outside hitter Reagan Sass (.317 hitting %) and 6-3 junior middle Mckenzie Swanson (.390) are two more hitting options, while senior Molly Banta is another off the bench (313 kills). Sarafa has signed to continue at Kentucky, Schomer signed with Wofford (S.C.), Sass will continue at Denison (Ohio) and senior defensive specialist Evey Oegema will play at Calvin College.
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
Record/rank: 44-4-1, No. 3
Coach: Dale Wilhelm, fifth season (138-62-8)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recent 2002), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 (Quarterfinal), 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 9 Rockford; 2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 3-0 over No. 6 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central; 3-1 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over No. 7 Hudsonville, 2-0 over honorable mention Saline, 2-0 over No. 8 Farmington Hills Mercy, 3-0 (District Final) and 2-0 over honorable mention Coopersville, 2-0 over honorable mention Temperance Bedford.
Players to watch: Elana Erickson, 5-10 jr. OH (418 kills, .316 hitting %, 310 digs); Kennedy Louisell, 5-11 sr. OH (565 kills, .346 hitting %, 274 digs); Lauren Hallas, 5-8 sr. S (738 assists, 52 aces).
Finals forecast: Forest Hills Northern is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2004-05, when it finished Class A runner-up. Wilhelm, who formerly coached Reed City and Remus Chippewa Hills and as an assistant at Ferris State, has a career record of 698-377-74 and brought FHN back from a 13-19 finish only two seasons ago. The Huskies’ only losses this season were to Northville twice, Forest Hills Central (against four wins) and Division 3 semifinalist Kalamazoo Christian. Louisell was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall and has signed with North Carolina-Greensboro. She made the all-state second team last season, and Erickson earned an honorable mention.
NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 46-3, No. 2
Coach: Sarah Lindstrom, second season (94-8)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 1 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-0 and 2-1 over No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 3-1 (Regional Semifinal) and 2-0 over No. 8 Farmington Hills Mercy, 2-1 over No. 5 Ann Arbor Skyline, 2-0 over honorable mention Jenison, 3-0 (District Final), 2-0, 2-0 and 3-1 over honorable mention Novi; 3-0 over Division 2 No. 1 Detroit Country Day, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 2 North Branch, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-0 over Division 3 No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Players to watch: Abby Reck, 6-2 sr. OH (529 kills, .300 hitting %, 57 aces, 308 digs); Avry Nelson, 6-3 jr. MB (226 kills, .321 hitting %, 90 blocks); Ella Craggs, 5-9 soph. S/RS (1,070 assists, 276 digs).
Finals forecast: Northville is the only team to defeat Marian and also has two wins over Forest Hills Northern as it returns to the Semifinals for the first time since 2018. Stewart was a Finals champion playing soccer for Novi in 2005 and brought Divine Child to Kellogg Arena for the 2012 Class B Volleyball Semifinals. Her team this fall has lost only to Mercy (against two later wins), Division 1 semifinalist Saline and Division 2 semifinalist North Branch (which Northville also defeated). Reck made the all-state second team last season and was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall, and has signed with Northeastern (Mass.). Senior libero Taryn Rice (454 digs) and juniors Greta Mckee (216) and Ashlee Gnau (300) form a strong defensive group.
SALINE
Record/rank: 38-8-1, honorable mention
Coach: Darien Bandel, first season (38-8-1)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Championship history: Class B champion 1984.
Best wins: 2-1 over No. 2 Northville, 2-0 and 3-1 over honorable mention Temperance Bedford, 3-0 over No. 5 Ann Arbor Skyline, 2-0 over honorable mention Lake Orion, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 1 Detroit Country Day, 2-1 over Division 2 No. 2 North Branch.
Players to watch: Marie Laurio, 5-10 soph. OH (435 kills, 337 digs), Anna Hesse, 5-11 sr. OH (394 kills), Laney Burns 5-7 sr. S (1,257 assists, 61 aces, 342 digs).
Finals forecast: Saline is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since the championship season of 1984, with Bandel leading the way after starring at Oxford and Oakland University and serving as an assistant coach for Birmingham Groves, Notre Dame Prep and Northville all over the last decade. She inherited a strong senior setter in Burns, who earned all-state honorable mention last season. Saline has given up only two sets over five postseason matches and won 10 of its last 11 matches overall. Junior defensive specialist Olivia Behen (506 digs) is another key contributor.
Division 2
CADILLAC
Record/rank: 33-10-4, honorable mention
Coach: Michelle Brines, 23rd season (930-286-49)
League finish: Tied for first in Big North Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over honorable mention Grand Rapids West Catholic in Quarterfinal, 2-1 over No. 8 Holland Christian, 2-0 over Division 4 No. 2 Leland, 3-0 over Traverse City Central, 2-0 and 2-0 over Division 3 honorable mention Morley Stanwood.
Players to watch: Cassie Jenema, 5-9 soph. S (1,133 digs, 284 digs); Carissa Musta, 6-4 jr. MH (457 kills, .350 hitting %, 165 blocks); Joslyn Seeley, 5-9 sr. OH (373 kills, 338 digs).
Finals forecast: Cadillac is back at the Semifinals for the third time in six seasons after most recently making the trip in 2020. The Vikings also have won 10 of their last 11 matches and played opponents from all over the Lower Peninsula during the regular season in preparation for another tournament run. Musta earned all-state honorable mention last season and Jenema has stepped in well after Cadillac graduated all-state setter Renee Brines in the spring. Junior 6-1 outside hitter Makenzie Johns added 197 kills entering the week, and the future is bright as four of this season’s starters should anchor the lineup in 2023 as well.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/rank: 16-18-1, unranked
Coach: Elizabeth Gazley, second season (47-25-1)
League finish: Fourth in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over Livonia Clarenceville in Quarterfinal, 3-0 over Milan in Regional Final, 3-2 (District Final) and 3-0 over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard.
Players to watch: Reese Ringwelski, 5-11 sr. OH/MB (188 kills); Chio Ibegbu, 5-10 jr. MB (134 kills); Jillian Palmer, 5-6 sr. S (400 assists, 117 digs).
Finals forecast: Emerging from one of the strongest leagues in the state, Divine Child found its stride at the best time this season and has won eight of its last nine matches in returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2014. Gazley led the team to a 31-7 record and Regional title last season as well, but despite the slower start this fall these Falcons have surged to make it a step farther. They’ve lost only two sets over five postseason matches. Libero Paige Ebben is another of six seniors and leads defensively with 261 digs through the District Final.
GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 36-6-3, No. 5
Coach: Ashley Jackson, fourth season (record N/A)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Class B champion 2007 (winter), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 4 Lake Odessa Lakewood in Quarterfinal, 3-0 (Regional Semifinal), 2-0, 2-0 and 2-1 over No. 8 Holland Christian, 3-1 over No. 7 Grand Rapids Christian in District Final, 2-0 over Division 1 honorable mention Jenison.
Players to watch: Ellie Fles, 6-0 jr. OH (318 kills, 78 aces, 301 digs); Kennedy Arp, 6-0 sr. MH (324 kills, .397 hitting %, 85 blocks); Gina Boomsma, 5-7 sr. S (484 assists, 67 aces, 189 digs).
Finals forecast: South Christian will play in its first Semifinal since 2013, when it finished Class B runner-up. The Sailors have won 13 of their last 14 matches, giving up just six sets over that run – especially impressive since it included wins over three top-10 teams during the MHSAA Tournament, plus Holland Christian a second time during the regular season. Arp made the all-state second team last season and has signed with Valparaiso. Senior middle Skylar Raak (178 ills, .305 hitting %) is another effective offensive option, and sophomore libero Olivia In’t Hout (354 digs) anchors the defense.
NORTH BRANCH
Record/rank: 51-7, No. 2
Coach: Jim Fish, 23rd season (1,267-218-51)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 3-2 (District Semifinal), 3-1 and 2-0 over No. 10 Imlay City, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Essexville Garber, 2-0 over No. 5 Grand Rapids South Christian, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 6 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 2 Northville, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 5 Ann Arbor Skyline, 2-0 over Division 1 honorable mention Coopersville, 2-0 over Division 1 honorable mention Jenison, 2-0 over Division 1 honorable mention Lake Orion, 2-1 over Division 3 No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Players to watch: Alana Deshetsky, 5-8 jr. OH (287 kills, 95 aces, 332 digs); Adrienne Greschaw, 5-8 jr. S (1,125 assists, 65 aces, 204 digs); Clara Gyomory, 5-9 jr. RS (314 kills, .324 hitting %).
Finals forecast: Last season’s Division 2 runner-up is back thanks in part to a Regional Final win over Notre Dame Prep, which had ended the Broncos’ last five seasons with losses including in last year’s championship match. North Branch returns its entire lineup from last season’s run plus has added freshman outside hitter Aubree Deshetsky (240 kills, 296 digs). Junior libero Hailey Green (582 digs) made the all-state first team last season, while Alana Deshetsky made the second team and Greschaw made the third team. Junior 6-2 middle Kaela Chingwa had added 107 blocks, plus 229 kills, entering the week.
Division 3
CALUMET
Record/rank: 30-6, honorable mention
Coach: Kate Bonacorsi, third season (81-12-1)
League finish: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2008.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 3 McBain in Quarterfinal, 2-0 over No. 7 Plymouth Christian Academy, 2-0 and 3-0 over Houghton, 2-1 over Mt. Morris.
Players to watch: Helen Beiring, 6-0 sr. OH (436 kills, .365 hitting %, 312 digs); Allison Bjorn, 6-0 soph. MH (213 kills, .347 hitting %); Laina Kariniemi, 5-4 jr. S (884 assists, 64 aces).
Finals forecast: Calumet is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2016 and 2017, and has reached the Quarterfinals all three seasons under Bonacorsi. The win over No. 3 McBain on Tuesday avenged an early-season defeat and extended the Copper Kings’ winning streak to 13, and they’ve given up only two sets during that run – to Elk Rapids in the Regional Final win. Beiring made the all-state first team last season and is one of only three seniors; defensive standouts Carley Loukus (259 digs) and Kaylie Halonen (398) are the others.
CASS CITY
Record/rank: 34-8-3, No. 8
Coach: Amy Cuthrell, seventh season (132-40-7)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over New Lothrop in Regional Final, 3-0 over Royal Oak Shrine Catholic in Quarterfinal, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 10 Imlay City.
Players to watch: Saylar Cuthrell, 5-4 sr. S (1,031 assists, 293 digs); Shelby Ignash, 6-0 soph. MH (504 kills, 95 blocks, 319 digs); Kacee Gray, 5-7 soph. OH (382 kills, 295 digs).
Finals forecast: Cass City is making its first trip to the Semifinals since earning its only other Regional titles in 1976 and 1977. The Red Hawks have shut out all five of their postseason opponents and 12 of their last 13, and in addition to the wins above also had a notable tie with Division 2 No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Ignash earned all-state honorable mention as a freshman. Sophomore outside hitter Alexis Champagne had added 158 kills entering the week and 191 digs, with five more teammates having posted at least 200 digs this season.
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 38-5-3, No. 4
Coach: Carlie Southland, first season (38-5-3)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Class C-D runner-up 1976.
Best wins: 3-2 (Quarterfinal) and 2-0 over No. 9 Shelby, 2-1 and 2-0 over No. 8 Cass City, 3-1 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over No. 5 Watervliet, 3-0 over honorable mention Bronson in Regional Semifinal, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 2-1 over Buchanan, 2-1 over Division 4 No. 3 Athens.
Players to watch: Holland DeVries, 5-9 jr. OH (310 kills, 102 aces, 372 digs); Marisa Fetterley, 6-3 sr. MH (346 kills, 74 aces, 90 blocks); Lola Stecker, 5-6 jr. S (1,056 assists).
Finals forecast: Kalamazoo Christian has navigated one of the toughest two weeks in any division to reach the Semifinals for the first time since that runner-up season in 1976. Last week’s Regional title was the first since the Fall 2007 season, and the Comets are bringing a 14-match winning streak into Kellogg – and have won 27 of their last 28. The Watervliet wins avenged an early loss, and the other four defeats and all three ties came to teams from Divisions 1 and 2. DeVries earned all-state honorable mention last season, and this could be just the start under 2016 grad Southland; Fetterley is the only senior starter.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 44-2-2, No. 2
Coach: Jon Thelen, eighth season (220-80-25)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1994.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in Quarterfinal, 2-0 over No. 7 Plymouth Christian Academy, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 9 Lansing Catholic, 2-0 over Division 2 honorable mention Allendale, 3-0 over Division 4 No. 8 Lansing Christian, 2-1 over Division 4 No. 1 Adrian Lenawee Christian.
Players to watch: Taylor Smith, 6-1 jr. S; Dani Pohl, 5-11 sr. OH; Sierra Schneider, 6-1 sr. MB. (Statistics not submitted.)
Finals forecast: P-W is making its first trip to the Semifinals since that Class C runner-up season of 1994, and booked it by defeating a Monroe St. Mary team that was Division 3 runner-up last season and champion in 2019 and 2020. Four seniors anchor a starting lineup set by Smith, who made the all-state second team last season while Pohl made the third team. Both of the Pirates’ losses came to bigger schools – Holland West Ottawa and Lansing Catholic – and they avenged the latter at the end of the regular season.
Division 4
ATHENS
Record/rank: 33-12-2, No. 3
Coach: Jacy Cole, 14th season (370-231-36)
League finish: First in Southern Central Athletic Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 1 Adrian Lenawee Christian in Quarterfinal, 3-0 over honorable mention St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lakes in Regional Final, 3-0 over No. 5 Mendon in District Quarterfinal, 3-2 over No. 6 Battle Creek St. Philip, 3-0 and 2-0 over Camden-Frontier, 2-1 over Division 3 No. 7 Plymouth Christian Academy.
Players to watch: Kylie Quist, 5-6 sr. OH (285 kills, 320 digs); Kamryn Parlin, 5-7 jr. MH (288 kills, 326 digs); Alaina Brubaker, sr. S (1,056 assists, 95 aces, 325 digs).
Finals forecast: Athens has followed up on its first Regional title with its first trip to the Semifinals, anchored by three players who earned all-state honors in 2021 – Parlin made the second team, Brubaker made the third and Quist earned an honorable mention. The attack is impressively balanced; the top four hitters all had between 280-290 kills entering the week, with senior Jocelyn Hall and junior Piper Porter joining Parlin and Quist in that group. Athens hasn’t given up a set during the postseason, and the Lenawee Christian win avenged a previous loss, while the other 11 defeats and both ties came to teams from Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
CRYSTAL FALLS FOREST PARK
Record/rank: 16-4, unranked
Coach: Bobbie Jo Anderson, third season (record N/A)
League finish: Tied for first in Skyline Central Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 9 Indian River Inland Lakes in Quarterfinal, 3-1 over Painesdale Jeffers in Regional Final, 3-1 over Stephenson in Regional Semifinal.
Players to watch: Charlie Larson, jr. S; Leah Feldhausen, jr. MH; Ashlynn Kannich, sr. DS. (Statistics not submitted.)
Finals forecast: The Trojans are headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015, seeking their first championship match berth after reaching this point in the tournament five other times over the last two decades. The Stephenson win avenged a regular-season loss, and the Trojans won that match after losing the first set and did the same in the Quarterfinal victory over Inland Lakes – last season’s Division 4 runner-up. Kannich is one of only three seniors – all defensive specialists – on a team also bringing three freshmen and five sophomores to Kellogg with a bright future ahead.
LANSING CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 30-11-1, No. 8
Coach: Sarah Rottman, first season (30-11-1)
League finish: Second in Greater Lansing Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over Portland St. Patrick in Quarterfinal, 3-0 over Marine City Cardinal Mooney in Regional Final, 3-1 over Clarkston Everest Collegiate in Regional Semifinal.
Players to watch: Katelynn Rottman, 5-11 jr. OH/DS (377 kills, 336 digs); Madelynn Rottman, 5-11 sr. S (454 assists, 115 digs); Ava Waldron, jr. DS (286 digs, 64 aces).
Finals forecast: Lansing Christian will be playing in its first Semifinal after winning its third Regional title, and the Pilgrims should be prepared for anything they see after navigating a regular-season schedule filled nearly entirely with bigger schools including Division 2 power Lakewood and Division 3 semifinalist Pewamo-Westphalia, plus Division 4 top-ranked Adrian Lenawee Christian. Lansing Christian has given up only two sets over six postseason matches. Madelynn Rottman earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is one of four senior starters. Another, Eliza Wortz, was second on the team in kills entering the week with 187.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 42-7-6, No. 4
Coach: Krista Davis, ninth season (287-117-38)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 2 Leland in Quarterfinal, 3-0 over Onekama in Regional Final, 2-1 over Clare, 2-1 over Alma.
Players to watch: Lillie Laney, 5-10 sr. MH (339 kills, .354 hitting %, 60 aces, 83 blocks); Eliza Pieratt, 5-1 sr. S (518 assists, 98 aces); Angel Brown, 5-9 sr. OH (384 kills, 70 aces, 314 digs).
Finals forecast: After reaching the Semifinals for the first time last season – and just missing the championship match with a five-set defeat – Sacred Heart is back with Laney and Brown among those who saw the most game action during last year’s trip. Brown made the all-state second team last season, and Laney earned an honorable mention. Pieratt is joined by sophomore Sophie Hauck (482 assists) in a two-setter lineup. Junior libero Bridget Ruiz leads the defensive effort with 403 digs, and sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Lynch had 285 entering the week to go with 187 kills.
PHOTO Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Angel Brown (23) hits from the back row with teammate Bridget Ruiz (12) beside her during a match against Coleman. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)