![](/sites/default/files/imported/Photos/161116_volleyball_2H.jpg)
Preview: Mix of Familiar and Hopeful
November 16, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Three reigning champions will return to MHSAA Volleyball Finals weekend beginning Thursday at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena. Also making the trip are eight teams that have never won an MHSAA title.
And it's guaranteed at least one of those hopefuls will get the chance, as Class C semifinalists Brown City and Adrian Madison open the final three days of this season in a match to determine which will play for a championship Saturday for the first time.
Click for the schedule in full plus information on live broadcasts of all 12 matches on MHSAA.tv and MHSAANetwork.com. Below is a glance at all 16 contenders, with statistics through last week's Regional Finals.
Class A
FENTON
Record/rank: 46-5-3, unranked
Coach: Jerry Eisinger, third season (124-32-16)
League finish: First in Flint Metro League.
Championship history: Three runner-up finishes (most recent 1992).
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 2 Clarkston in the Regional Final, 3-2 over No. 10 Utica Eisenhower in the Regional Semifinal, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class B No. 10 Frankenmuth, 2-0 over Class C No. 6 Brown City.
Players to watch: Kiley Aldred, 5-6 sr. S (1,132 assists, 381 digs); Jessica Warford, 5-11 sr. OH (640 kills, .320 hitting %, 403 digs); Chloe Idoni, 5-11 soph. OH (433 kills, .390 hitting %, 107 blocks, 64 aces).
Finals forecast: Fenton has been building toward this during Eisinger’s three seasons, adding a second league and third District title during his tenure this fall. Fenton opened 10-1 and never really slowed down; the Tigers also went 4-1 against Class B honorable mention Goodrich and have won 11 straight – highlighted by the upset-filled Regional title run. This will be their first Semifinal appearance since 1992. Warford and senior defensive specialist Taylor Mowery (566 digs this season) were all-region picks a year ago and are two of senior seniors.
NOVI
Record/rank: 52-1, No. 1
Coach: Jennifer Cottrill, fifth season (230-21-2)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central, Kensington and overall.
Championship history: Class A champion 2015, runner-up 2014.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 7 Farmington Hills Mercy in the Regional Final, 3-0 over honorable mention Bloomfield Hills Marian in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 (District Final), 2-1, 3-0, 3-0 over No. 6 Northville; 2-0 over No. 9 Grand Haven, 2-1 and 3-0 over Class B No. 3 North Branch.
Players to watch: Erin O’Leary, 5-10 jr. S (1,305 assists, 209 kills, .472 hitting %, 70 aces, 363 digs); Ally Cummings, 5-11 sr. RS (418 kills, .348 hitting %, 54 blocks, 302 digs); Abryanna Cannon, 6-1 jr. OH (403 kills, .388 hitting %, 65 aces, 387 digs).
Finals forecast: The reigning champion Wildcats are an incredible 157-10 over the last three seasons, with their only loss this fall to No. 2 Clarkston. Cummings was a finalist for the Miss Volleyball Award, and O’Leary no doubt will be a heavy favorite next season and is nationally-renowned for her age group. Novi’s run this fall also has included multiple wins over Class A honorable mentions Rochester Hills Stoney Creek and one each over honorable mentions Saline, Macomb Dakota and Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian. The Wildcats have given up only six sets in 53 matches, and more than one only in that 2-1 loss to the Wolves. Junior libero Claire Pinkerton (555 digs this season) joined all-state first-team O’Leary and second-teamer Cummings with all-region honors a year ago.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 47-8-1, No. 5
Coach: Kelly Delacher, 12th season (461-217-12)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red.
Championship history: Class A champion 2011.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 4 Portage Central in the Quarterfinal, 3-2 (Regional Final), 3-1, 3-0, 2-0 over No. 9 Grand Haven; 3-0 over honorable mention Lowell in the District Final, 3-0 over No. 6 Northville, 3-0 over No. 8 Grand Rapids Christian, 2-0 over Class B No. 1 Lake Odessa Lakewood, 2-0 over Class B No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Players to watch: Hailey Delacher, 5-5 jr. S (1,489 assists, 261 digs); Kendra DeJonge, 5-11 sr. OH (445 kills, 62 aces, 277 digs); Cassandra Smigiel, 6-0 sr. MH (314 kills, .320 hitting %, 70 blocks).
Finals forecast: The Rams played many of the best across the Lower Peninsula, defeating Portage Central on Tuesday after falling twice to the Mustangs during the regular season. This fall’s run also has included two wins over Class B No. 8 Grand Rapids South Christian, another over Class B No. 7 Cadillac, one each over Class A or B honorable mentions Richland Gull Lake, Ada Forest Hills Eastern and Fruitport, and an early-season 2-0 over Temperance Bedford. Hailey Delacher made the all-state second team last season, DeJonge earned honorable mention, and now-junior middle Olivia Rademacher (274 kills 75 blocks this season) joined them as all-region. Junior Sara Majerle is another big hitter with 435 kills plus 266 digs and 65 aces this fall.
TEMPERANCE BEDFORD
Record/rank: 56-13-3, unranked
Coach: Jodi Manore, 32nd season (1,927-325-55)
League finish: Second in Southeastern Conference.
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2005), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-2 (Regional Final) and 3-2 over honorable mention Saline, 3-0 over Class B No. 7 Cadillac, 2-0 over Class C No. 6 Brown City, 2-0 over Class B No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-0 over Class B No. 6 Battle Creek Harper Creek.
Players to watch: Heidi Fausze, 5-11 jr. OH (468 kills, .350 hitting %, 96 aces); Erika Wilt, 5-9 sr. OH (435 kills, .373 hitting %, 506 digs); Levi Lennard, 5-9 soph. S (1,400 assists, 259 digs).
Finals forecast: The Kicking Mules have won 14 of their last 15 matches as they travel to their fourth Semifinal over the last six seasons. Manore is the state’s winningest volleyball coach all-time, and as evidenced by the program’s 23-0 record in Quarterfinals, few know better how to win at this stage. Wilt and now-senior libero Taylor Haberland (1,065 digs, 65 aces this fall) were all-region selections a year ago, and they and those also mentioned above have plenty of help. Four others in addition to Fausze and Wilt also have at least 150 kills this season, with 5-10 junior middle Mackenzie Fuleky hitting at a .426 clip with 96 blocks and seniors Jaycie Harris and Brynn Duvall combining for 504 kills and 141 blocks.
Class B
BUCHANAN
Record/rank: 49-6, No. 5
Coach: Lisa Holok, 13th season (501-183)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red.
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1991.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 9 Grant in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 (Regional Semifinal) and 2-0 over No. 6 Battle Creek Harper Creek, 2-0 over Class C No. 2 Bronson, 2-0 over Temperance Bedford, 3-2 over Class D No. 2 Mendon.
Players to watch: Franki Strefling, 5-10 sr. OH (351 kills, 214 digs); Britta Mollberg, 5-7 sr. S (356 digs), Alex Tobler, 5-9 sr. OH (588 kills, 349 digs).
Finals forecast: Buchanan vanquished annual nemesis Harper Creek during the Regional and has made the Semifinals for the first time ever in Class B – its previous two trips were in Class C in 1991 and 1978. The Bucks also have shined despite losing Eastern Michigan-bound and 2015 all-state third-teamer Strefling with an injury for part of the season; she’s back and heads a seven-player senior class that has been part of three league and three District titles. Mollberg and senior libero Taylor Strauss (432 digs this fall) also made all-region last season, and 6-0 middle Liz Kuntz had added 313 kills and a team-high 131 blocks entering the week.
CADILLAC
Record/rank: 50-7-2, No. 7
Coach: Michelle Brines, 17th season (705-204-37)
League finish: First in Big North Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 (Quarterfinal) and 2-1 over honorable mention Corunna, 2-0 over No. 9 Grant, 2-1 over No. 10 Frankenmuth, 2-0 over Class C No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis, 2-1 and 2-1 over Temperance Bedford.
Players to watch: Kylie Christensen, 6-1 sr. MH (589 kills, .400 hitting %, 141 blocks, 358 digs); Ali Finch, 6-1 sr. S (1,123 assists, 330 kills, 416 digs, 95 blocks, 74 aces); Gabby Kapuscinski, 5-9 jr. OH (283 kills, 472 digs).
Finals forecast: This final week has become almost an annual part of Cadillac’s season, as the Vikings played Tuesday in a Quarterfinal for the eighth straight season and advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 2013. They also won their 11th District title in a row, and Corunna’s one set win was the first given up by Cadillac in its last 12 matches this fall. Four seniors anchor a mostly-veteran lineup that also features a freshman; Christensen and Finch made the all-state second team last season and Kapuscinski joined them as all-region.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Record/rank: 53-5, No. 1
Coach: Kellie Rowland, 21st season (980-148-5)
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference.
Championship history: Class B champion 2012, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 8 Grand Rapids South Christian, 2-0 over honorable mention Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 2-0 over Class A No. 4 Portage Central, 2-0 over Class A No. 5 Rockford, 2-1 over Class A No. 8 Grand Rapids Christian, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention Richland Gull Lake.
Players to watch: Gabie Shellenbarger, 5-6 sr. S (1,339 assists, 106 blocks, 306 digs, 75 aces); Breanna Wickerink, 5-9 jr. MB (563 kills, .465 hitting %, 143 blocks); Lisa Hewitt, 5-10 jr. MB (132 kills, 124 blocks).
Finals forecast: The Vikings are back in the Semifinals for the third time in five seasons with six players back who saw time during the 2014 championship match loss to North Branch and a seventh who was injured earlier in that run; Shellenbarger, Hewitt and senior right-side hitter Rebecca Kutch started in that Final. Shellenbarger made the all-state first team last season (Hewitt made all-region with her) and sets for five hitters who have at least 130 kills. Kutch adds 157, 321 digs and 79 aces, and junior Alivia Benedict has tallied 373 kills with a .345 hitting percentage. In addition to wins mentioned above, Lakewood swept Class D No. 2 Mendon, No. 4 Lansing Christian and Class C No. 9 Laingsburg.
NORTH BRANCH
Record/rank: 56-9, No. 3
Coach: Jim Fish, 17th season (974-161-46)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference East.
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2014), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in the Regional Semifinal, 3-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Goodrich in the Regional Final, 2-0 over No. 7 Cadillac, 3-0 over No. 10 Frankenmuth, 3-0 over honorable mention Corunna, 2-0 over honorable mention Marysville, 2-0 over Class A No. 2 Clarkton, 2-1 over Class A No. 6 Northville, 2-1 and 2-1 over Class A honorable mention Lake Orion.
Players to watch: Olivia Fike, 6-1 sr. OH/MH (528 kills, .362 hitting %, 96 blocks); Madee Miner, 5-8 sr. S (1,170 assists, 150 kills, 116 aces, 282 digs); Allyson Severance, 6-1 soph. OH (227 kills, 234 digs).
Finals forecast: Four of six starters are back from last season’s Class B runner-up team, and Fike and Miner also started in the 2014 championship match win. Fike and Severance made the all-state first team last season and Miner made the second team, while sophomore hitter Reese Ruhlman joined them as all-region. Junior right-side hitter Janel Ruhlman has become a big contributor this season with 328 kills, second most on the team. Another tough schedule has the Broncos ready for the weekend; in addition to the wins above, North Branch also downed Class A honorable mention Lowell, Class C No. 6 Brown City twice and Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian, plus Class A semifinalist Fenton.
Class C
ADRIAN MADISON
Record/rank: 57-3-2, unranked
Coach: Dawn Opsal, 19th season (561-254-82)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in the Regional Final, 2-0 over Class D honorable mention Pittsford, 2-0 over Class D honorable mention Camden-Frontier.
Players to watch: Courtney Benschoter, sr. OH (523 kills, .349 hitting %, 51 blocks, 402 digs, 76 aces); Kiarah Horn, jr. S (1,470 assists, 279 digs, 75 aces); Ysabela Soto, sr. OH (422 kills, 356 digs, 77 aces)
Finals forecast: Madison cruised through the regular season, giving up only 13 sets. And the Trojans have made that dominance stand up in the tournament as well, giving up three sets over six matches while eliminating the top-ranked Kestrels. Benschoter and Soto were all-region picks last year and join sophomore Kaiya Wall (496 kills, .322 hitting percentage, 67 blocks) for a formidable group of hitters. Middle Amia Benson gives the team a third senior starter, but she, Benschoter and Soto are the team’s only spring graduates.
BRONSON
Record/rank: 48-9-6, No. 2
Coach: Jean LaClair, 16th season (744-273-62)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Blue.
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 9 Laingsburg in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 (Regional Final) and 2-1 over No. 8 Kalamazoo Christian, 2-1 over No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis, 2-0 over honorable mention Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, 3-0 and 3-1 over Class D No. 2 Mendon, 3-0 over Class B No. 5 Buchanan.
Players to watch: Jill Pyles, 5-10 sr. MH (363 kills, .331 hitting %, 100 aces, 141 blocks); Allison Sikorski, 5-9 sr. OH (409 kills, 60 aces, 450 digs); Kiana Mayer, 5-11 jr. S (1,435 assists, 93 aces, 175 kills, 115 blocks, 305 digs).
Finals forecast: Pyles, Sikorski and Mayer (as an outside hitter) all started on the team that swept Monroe St. Mary in last season’s championship match, as did now-sophomore middle Ashton Wronikowski (202 kills, 114 blocks this season). Also, now-sophomore Kiera Lasky was an all-region libero as Pyles made the all-state first team and Sikorski made the second. LaClair is one of the state’s all-time winningest coaches with 1,063 victories over three stops and 22 seasons, and her team is unbeaten over its last 20 matches (18-0-2).
BROWN CITY
Record/rank: 44-9-5, No. 6
Coach: Jenna Welke, fourth season (144-42-18)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference East.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 4 New Lothrop in the Quarterfinal, 2-1 and 2-0 over Class B honorable mention Marysville, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class B honorable mention Croswell-Lexington, 2-0 over Class D No. 6 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian.
Players to watch: Becki Krause, sr. OH (586 kills, .326 hitting %, 83 aces, 108 blocks, 466 digs); Breigha Donnelly, sr. RS (210 kills, 106 blocks, 398 digs, 66 aces); Alexia Mason, sr. S (1,006 assists, 105 aces, 401 digs, 89 blocks).
Finals forecast: After making the Semifinals last season for the first time, Brown City is back with three starters from the team that fell in five sets to eventual runner-up Monroe St. Mary. Sophomore outside hitter Kendal Muxlow (266 kills, 106 aces, 79 blocks this season) joined Krause and Mason in the lineup, while now-junior libero Jasmin Bender (553 digs in 2016) rotated in off the bench. Brown City advanced this time by coming back from a 2-0 deficit to Shelby in the Quarterfinal; those two sets were the first the Green Devils had given up this postseason. Krause made the all-state second team and Mason was an honorable mention last fall.
CALUMET
Record/rank: 40-10, honorable mention
Coach: Lisa Twardzik, 20th season (625-131-43)
League finish: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference.
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2008.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 over honorable mention Rudyard in the Regional Final, 2-1 over Class D honorable mention Suttons Bay, 2-1 over Class D honorable mention Rogers City.
Players to watch: Anna Johnson, 5-6 sr. S (163 aces, 285 digs); Hailey Wickstrom, 6-3 sr. RS (595 kills, 182 digs, 55 blocks); Lea Bjorn, 5-9 jr. OH (264 kills, 243 digs).
Finals forecast: After four straight Quarterfinal misses, Calumet avenged last season’s loss to St. Francis by winning to advance this time. Wickstrom was an all-state honorable mention a year ago and Johnson joined her as all-region; together they lead a team that has won 28 of its last 29 matches since also falling to St. Francis 2-0 midseason. The Copper Kings have given up only three sets during the postseason and over the closing run also avenged previous losses this fall to rivals Hancock and Houghton.
Class D
AUBURN HILLS OAKLAND CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 42-4-5, No. 6
Coach: Priscilla Larned, 32nd season (988-458-81)
League finish: Tied for first in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 1 Plymouth Christian, 2-0 over honorable mention Brighton Charyl Stockwell, 3-1 over Portland St. Patrick in the Quarterfinal.
Players to watch: Samantha Morse, sr. S (1,070 assists, 282 digs); Alexandra Gudobba, sr. OH (502 kills, .378 hitting %, 92 aces, 481 digs); Starr Sumner, sr. MH (317 kills, .392 hitting %, 93 aces, 66 blocks).
Finals forecast: Oakland Christian is back in the Semifinals for the fifth time and first time since 2013. The set given up to St. Patrick was the only set lost by the Lancers this postseason. The team’s 42 wins also are their most under longtime coach Larned since 2009. Oakland Christian has seven seniors, and six start; outside hitter Marisa Mingle had added 306 kills, 116 aces and 426 digs heading this week.
LELAND
Record/rank: 42-10-4, No. 3
Coach: Laurie Glass, 22nd season (871-258-87)
League finish: Second in Northwest Conference.
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 9 Fife Lake Forest Area in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 (District opener), 3-0 and 3-0 over honorable mention Suttons Bay; 2-0 over honorable mention Camden-Frontier, 2-0 over Class B honorable mention Saginaw Swan Valley, 2-0 over Class C honorable mention Calumet, 2-0 over Class C No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis.
Players to watch: Allie Martin, 5-7 sophomore OH (534 kills, 114 aces, 479 digs); Ella Siddall, 5-4, soph. S (1,100 assists, 63 aces); Rowan Wilson, 5-7 jr. OPP (373 kills, 475 digs).
Finals forecast: Leland broke Battle Creek St. Philip’s nine-season hold on the Class D title last fall and proceeded to graduate three all-state hitters. But the Comets also had two starring freshmen in 2015, and Siddall is back after making the all-state first team while Martin made the second and senior libero Julie Bardenhagen (514 digs this fall) earned honorable mention. Tuesday’s win was the 1,000th for Glass, who also has coached at Traverse City Central, and it moved Leland’s record against Class D teams to 18-0 this season. Her team played at least 11 matches against teams from every class and finished with a winning record against all four.
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 33-11-1, No. 1
Coach: DJ Kellogg, second season (69-16-4)
League finish: Tied for first in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue
Championship history: Class D runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 2 Mendon in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 over No. 4 Lansing Christian in the Regional Final, 3-0 over No. 10 North Adams-Jerome in the Regional Semifinal, 3-1 over No. 6 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 2-1 over Class B No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-0 over Class C No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis.
Players to watch: Grace Kellogg, 5-9 jr. OH/DS (403 kills, 331 digs); Gabriella Kellogg, 5-9 fr. MB (241 kills, .327 hitting %) Jessica Paulson, 5-10 sr. S (724 assists).
Finals forecast: Plymouth Christian makes the trip to Kellogg as the top-ranked team in Class D for the second season in a row and with six of the seven players who saw action in last season’s Semifinal loss. The Eagles have certainly justified their top ranking, and prepped by playing a number of bigger schools – 10 of their 11 losses were to Class A and B teams, including the top two ranked teams in Class A at the end of the regular season.
ROGERS CITY
Record/rank: 35-10-1, honorable mention
Coach: Jackie Quaine, ninth season (297-101-34)
League finish: First in North Star League Big Dipper.
Championship history: Lower Peninsula Class C champion 1988, runner-up 1987.
Best wins: 3-1 over honorable mention Crystal Falls Forest Park in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 over No. 7 DeTour in the Regional Semifinal, 3-0 (District Semifinal) and 3-0 over No. 5 Onaway.
Players to watch: Taylor Fleming, 5-11 soph. MH (360 kills, 104 blocks); Erika Peacock, 5-2 sr. S (322 assists, 62 aces, 138 digs); Kayla Rabeau, 5-7 jr. MH (252 kills, 99 aces, 366 digs).
Finals forecast: Rogers City is at the Semifinals for the first time since playing in Class C in 2003. The Hurons have lost only one set during the postseason, against Forest Park. That broke a 10-match sweep streak, and total the team has won 20 straight. Four seniors start; Peacock is joined by defensive specialist Mary Brege and outside hitters Hannah Dittmar and Saige Wagner.
PHOTO: Cadillac's Ali Finch (5) sets up a teammate during Tuesday's Quarterfinal win over Corunna. (Click for more from Varsity Monthly.)
![](/sites/default/files/imported/Photos/141119_volleyball_2H.jpg)
Preview: Stage Set for Repeat Greatness
November 19, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Two reigning champions will return this weekend to the MHSAA's Volleyball Finals at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena.
One features this season's Miss Volleyball. The other has earned an opportunity to define dominance like no other volleyball team in MHSAA history.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep's Katherine Carlson will attempt to lead the Fighting Irish to a repeat in Class B, while Battle Creek St. Philip did not enter the Class D tournament as the favorite but can leave with a record ninth straight Finals championship.
See below for breakdowns of all 16 teams playing this weekend, beginning with Class B and C Semifinals on Thursday. Click for the full schedule and also for the broadcast schedule and links to all matches available live on MHSAA.tv.
Class A
GRAND HAVEN
Record/rank:
Coach: Aaron Smaka, eighth season (300-128-4)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 7 East Kentwood, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-1 over honorable mention Holland West Ottawa, 2-0, 3-2 and 2-0 over honorable mention Byron Center, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Portage Central, 2-0 over Class B No. 2 North Branch, 2-0 over Class B No. 10 Grand Rapids South Christian.
Players to watch: Emily Lachmann, 6-0 jr. OH (443 kills, 121 aces, 454 digs); Katie Cole, 5-9 soph. S (1,731 assists, 292 digs); Autumn Monsma, 5-10 sr. OH (494 kills, 409 digs); Amy Kober, 6-1 sr. OP (326 kills, 72 blocks, 329 digs).
Finals forecast: Grand Haven is back in the Semifinals for the second time in three seasons and has won at least 42 matches in all three. Four hitters are at least 6-foot tall, with junior middle Ally Knoll leading the team with 109 blocks. Mason in the Quarterfinal was the only team to take a set from Grand Haven during the postseason. The run is even more impressive considering the team graduated three all-staters after last season.
NOVI
Record/rank: 53-5-1, No. 2
Coach: Jennifer Cottrill, third season (124-18-2)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association (Kensington Conference and overall)
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 2-1 over No. 4 Lake Orion, 2-1 over No. 1 Temperance-Bedford, 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 8 Romeo, 2-0 over honorable mention Birmingham Seaholm, 3-1 over honorable mention White Lake Lakeland in Regional Final.
Players to watch: Victoria Iacobelli, 5-9 jr. OH (604 kills, 516 digs); Paulina Iacobelli, 5-9 jr. OH (465 kills, 62 aces, 601 digs); Erin O’Leary, 5-10 fr. S (1,305 assists, 61 aces, 35 blocks).
Finals forecast: Novi is back in the Semifinals for the second time in program history; the Wildcats also advanced in 2007 before falling in a five-set match to Bloomfield Hills Marian. This team is built for multiple runs – its top two hitters and setter should return in 2015, and they’re surrounded in the starting lineup this season by three seniors and a senior libero. Cottrill brings a variety of experience as a former four-year starter at Eastern Michigan University and coach at Ypsilanti Lincoln, Pinckney and Lakeland.
ROMEO
Record/rank: 43-8-1, No. 8
Coach: Stacy Williams, ninth season (235-132-33)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship game history: Lower Peninsula Class A runner-up 1997.
Best wins: 2-0 over No.6 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0 over honorable mention White Lake Lakeland; 2-1 over honorable mention Birmingham Seaholm, 3-1 over No. 5 Clarkston in Regional Final, 3-1 over honorable mention Farmington Hills Mercy in Quarterfinal, 3-0 and 3-2 over Class B No. 9 Marysville.
Players to watch: Gia Milana, 6-1 jr. OH/MB (472 kills, .440 hitting %, 65 aces, 232 digs); Jodie Kelly, 5-10 soph. OH/L (319 kills, 230 digs, 40 blocks); Lauren Korth, 5-10 sr. S (1,006 assists, 217 kills, 54 aces.
Finals forecast: Romeo took the next step this fall after making the Quarterfinals in 2013, with this Semifinal appearance its first since 1999. Milana was an all-state third-team selection as a sophomore and is the top hitter in a lineup with four starters at .300 success or better. The Bulldogs have won 15 straight matches since a loss to No. 2 Novi and also own a two-game sweep of Class D Semifinalist Waterford Our Lady.
TEMPERANCE BEDFORD
Record/rank: 71-5-2, No. 1
Coach: Jodi Manore, 30th season (1,814-298-52)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference
Championship game history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2005), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 4 Lake Orion, 2-1 and 2-0 over No. 6 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-0 over No. 9 Mattawan, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention White Lake Lakeland, 2-1 over honorable mention Portage Central, 2-0, 3-1 and 3-2 (District Final) over honorable mention Saline, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class B No. 3 Chelsea, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class B No. 7 Mount Morris, 2-0 over Class C No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Players to watch: Nicole Rightnowar 5-11 sr. MH (575 kills, .382 hitting %, 213 blocks, 542 digs, 82 aces); Kayla Gwozdz, 5-11 sr. OH (546 kills, .375 hitting %, 555 digs); Chloe Lamb, 6-0 sr. RT (313 kills, 143 blocks); Isabelle Marciniak, 5-11 jr. S (1,591 assists, 95 aces, 370 digs)
Finals forecast: Bedford has made the Semifinals four of the last five seasons and was runner-up in 2012 with Rightnowar and Gwozdz in the lineup. Rightnowar is a four-year standout and was a Miss Volleyball candidate this fall; she made the all-state first team as a junior and will continue her career at Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne. Gwozdz was an all-state second teamer last season. Manore is closing in on the MHSAA record for volleyball coaching wins, needing only 19 to break it while carrying an incredible .838 winning percentage over two tenures as coach (she also coached the University of Toledo for 14 years).
Class B
BATTLE CREEK HARPER CREEK
Record/rank: 55-8-2, unranked
Coach: Terra King, ninth season (293-201-52)
League finish: First in Interstate 8 Conference
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 6 Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in Quarterfinal, 3-2 over Class A honorable mention DeWitt, 2-0 over Class D No. 2 Mendon, 2-0 over Class D No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class D No. 5 Waterford Our Lady, 2-0 over Class C No. 7 Concord.
Players to watch: Olivia Leson, 5-9 jr. OH (496 kills, .412 hitting %, 314 digs); Charley Andrews, 5-10 soph. MB (496 kills, .412 hitting %, 167 blocks); Katie Wade, 5-7 soph. S (606 assists, 71 aces); Edrie Ganey, 5-7 jr. S (794 assists, 301 digs, 74 aces).
Finals forecast: Harper Creek will carry its longest playoff run and first Regional title just a few miles downtown for the first time with a starting lineup featuring no seniors aside from libero Kendall Latshaw. Harper Creek has nearly doubled last season’s 29 wins and has had success in the recent past with this fall’s District title its third in five seasons. Leson earned an all-state honorable mention as a sophomore and combines with Andrews to give the Beavers two dangerous finishers for its two-setter system.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Record/rank: 50-8, No. 5
Coach: Kellie Rowland, 17th season (871-134)
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference
Championship game history: Class B champion 2012, Class B runner-up 1995.
Best wins: 2-0 and 3-2 (Regional Final) over No. 10 Grand Rapids South Christian, 2-0 and 3-1 (Quarterfinal) over honorable mention Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class A No. 3 Grand Haven.
Players to watch: Vanessa Reynhout, sr. MB (573 kills, .470 hitting %, 220 blocks, 62 aces); Charlie Smith, jr. OH (212 kills, 56 blocks, 148 digs); Gabie Shellenbarger, soph. S (998 assists, 202 digs); Gracie Shellenbarger, sr. OH (228 kills, 174 digs).
Finals forecast: This lineup is much different than the one that claimed the team’s first MHSAA title two seasons ago, although Reynhout, Smith and junior libero Karly Morris did see time in that championship match win over North Branch. Lakewood's 50 wins are the second-most in six seasons since Rowland returned as coach in 2009, and Reynhout and Gracie Shellenbarger are the only seniors in the main playing group. The Vikings have won 11 straight since losing to Class A honorable mention Portage Central.
NORTH BRANCH
Record/rank: 59-7-4, No. 2
Coach: James D. Fish, 15th season (859-140-44)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference East
Championship game history: Class B champion 2009, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0, 2-1 and 2-0 (District Final) over No. 7 Mount Morris, 3-0 over honorable mention Cadillac in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 and 3-0 (District Semifinal) over honorable mention Frankenmuth, 2-1 over Class A No. 4 Lake Orion, 2-1 over Class A honorable mention Farmington Hills Mercy, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention Byron Center, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention Holland West Ottawa.
Players to watch: Laura Willson, 6-1 sr. OH (726 kills, .380 hitting %, 96 aces, 88 blocks); Victoria Severance, 6-0 sr. MH (228 kills, .355 hitting %, 82 blocks); Mady Ruhlman, 5-5 sr. L (636 digs, 278 digs); Madee Miner, 5-7 soph. S (1,241 assists, 88 aces, 257 digs); Calla McNulty, 5-11 sr. OH (89 aces, 160 kills).
Finals forecast: North Branch finished runner-up to Lakewood in 2012 and with Willson its second-best hitter in that championship match. She made the all-state first team in 2013 and was a Miss Volleyball candidate this fall. Ruhlman, Severance and McNulty also saw time in that 2012 Final and have helped the Broncos to a third straight Regional title; with a Semifinal win the team would have at least 60 for the third straight season as well.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Record/rank: 57-5, No. 1
Coach: Betty Wroubel, 21st season (829-193-81)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship game history: Class B champions 2013 and Fall 2007.
Best wins: 2-0 and 3-0 (Regional Final) over No. 9 Marysville, 3-0 and 3-0 (Quarterfinal) over honorable mention Dearborn Divine Child, 3-0 over No. 6 Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 2-0 and 2-0 over Battle Creek Harper Creek, 2-0 over Class A No. 1 Temperance-Bedford, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class C No. 7 Concord, 3-0 over Class A honorable mention Farmington Hills Mercy, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention DeWitt, 2-0 over Class C No. 9 Ubly.
Players to watch: Katherine Carlson, 5-11 sr. OH (991 kills, .527 hitting percentage, 62 blocks, 111 aces, 415 digs); Hannah Antosz, 5-7 sr. S (632 assists, 215 digs, 77 aces); Ashley Knutson, 5-7 sr. S (929 assists, 211 kills, 373 digs); Emma Kowalkowski, 5-6 jr. DS (85 aces, 806 digs).
Finals forecast: Notre Dame Prep is favored to repeat as Class B champion with three players back after earning all-state honors in 2013 including Carlson, recently named Miss Volleyball for this season. She’s over 1,000 kills for the second straight season and will continue her career at Valparaiso University. Kowalkowski made the all-state second team last season and Knutson earned an honorable mention, and Antosz also started in last season’s Final.
Class C
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 43-8-2, No. 1
Coach: Diane E. Tuller, 17th season (593-188-51)
League finish: Tied for first in Huron League
Championship game history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2012), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 2-0 over No. 4 Morley-Stanwood, 2-1 over Class B No. 7 Mount Morris, 3-0, 2-1 and 2-0 over Class B No. 4 New Boston Huron, 2-0 over Class D No. 6 Plymouth Christian.
Players to watch: Cassandra Haut, 6-2 sr. MH (604 kills, .444 hitting %, 86 aces); Madeline Pietraniec, 5-8 sr. OH (236 kills); Sydney McGinn, 5-10 sr. S (1,206 assists, 284 digs); Skylar Iott, 6-1 jr. MH (334 kills, 75 aces, 314 digs).
Finals forecast: If the recent pattern holds, St. Mary could be unbeatable this weekend; the Kestrels also won Class C in 2012 and 2010 and are back after making the Class B Quarterfinals a year ago. Haut made the all-state first team in Class B and was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall; she’ll continue at Eastern Michigan University. She’s also one of three starters taller than 6-foot, which allowed St. Mary to again match up well with the Class A and B teams that made up the majority of the regular-season schedule.
ROSCOMMON
Record/rank: 49-11-2, No. 3
Coach: Heather Compton, 11th season (413-109-28)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 2-1 and 3-0 (Quarterfinal) over honorable mention Calumet, 3-0 over No. 5 Traverse City St. Francis in Regional Final, 2-0 over Class D No. 9 Onaway, 2-0 over Class D No. 1 Leland.
Players to watch: Katie Tozer, 5-10 sr. MH (500 kills, .444 hitting %, 90 aces, 89 blocks); Lauren Shores, 5-10 jr. MH (248 kills, .383 hitting %, 58 blocks); Reagan Moffit, 6-0 sr. OH (437 kills, .409 hitting %, 191 digs); Logan Hutek, 5-9 sr. S (1,250 assists, 192 kills, 204 digs).
Finals forecast: Roscommon has followed up last season’s 56-5-2 finish in Class B with its first Regional title and third District championship in nine seasons. Tozer earned an all-state honorable mention in Class B last season and remains the top hitter for a team that also has a number of impressive losses – including to Class A Clarkston, Lake Orion and Saline and Class B Mount Morris, North Branch and Chelsea.
SCHOOLCRAFT
Record/rank: 45-10-1, No. 2
Coach: Erin Onken, third season (122-37-4)
League finish: First in Kalamazoo Valley Association
Championship game history: Class C champion 2008.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 8 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian in the Regional Final, 3-0 over honorable mention Ravenna in the Quarterfinal.
Player to watch: Marianne Douglas, sr. OH. (Statistics not submitted.)
Finals forecast: Schoolcraft has won Regional titles the last three seasons and took the next step after falling to Mendon in five sets in their 2013 Quarterfinal. Douglas made the all-state third team last season and is one of four senior starters.
UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING
Record/rank: 43-7-2, honorable mention
Coach: Teresa Rose, seventh season (238-69-29)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 9 Ubly in District Semifinal, 2-1 and 3-1 (Quarterfinal) over Brown City, 2-0 over St. Louis.
Players to watch: Erica Treiber, 6-1 sr. MH (676 kills, .487 hitting %, 72 aces, 239 blocks, 511 digs); Sam Ewald, sr. MH (217 kills, 45 blocks); Morgan Thomas, sr. S (557 assists, 42 aces, 217 digs), Jessica Marker, sr. RS (124 kills, 61 assists, 71 blocks).
Finals forecast: Unionville-Sebewaing has won three straight Regional titles and is headed to the Semifinals for the third time in Rose’s seven seasons as coach – while led by one of the most intriguing players in the state. Treiber will leave the thumb to continue her career next fall at the University of Tennessee and also was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall.
Class D
BATTLE CREEK ST. PHILIP
Coach: Vicky Groat, 17th season (960-189-80)
League finish: First in Southern Central Athletic Association
Championship game history: 19 MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), eight runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 2-0 and 3-0 (Quarterfinal) over No. 2 Mendon, 3-1, 3-1, 2-1 and 3-0 (Regional Final) over No. 4 Camden-Frontier; 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Climax-Scotts.
Players to watch: Emily Schaub, 5-8 sr. S (1,316 assists, 146 kills, 104 aces, 419 digs); Abby McKinzie, 5-8 jr. OH (634 kills, 501 digs, 62 aces); Anna Lehouiller, 6-0 jr. MH (155 kills, 63 blocks); Megan Parker, 5-7 sr. OH (444 kills, 547 digs, 64 aces).
Finals forecast: Gone are three more all-staters from last season (that makes six over two seasons), and St. Philip is back in the Semifinals after sweeping No. 2 Mendon on Tuesday. A ninth-straight title would set an MHSAA record; the Tigers are tied with Marysville 1997-2004 for longest championship streak. Schaub made the all-state first team last season and has plenty of experience leading a title run.
LELAND
Record/rank: 42-12-4, No. 1
Coach: Laurie Glass, 20th season (781-241-79)
League finish: Second in Northwest Conference
Championship game history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2006), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the Quarterfinal, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class C honorable mention Charlevoix, 2-0 over Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: Maddie Trumbull, 5-10 jr. OH (520 kills, 288 digs); Eva Grobbel, 5-11 jr. MB (244 kills,35 blocks); Jessica Fleis, 5-6 sr. S (1,017 assists, 91 aces, 190 digs); Whitney Schaub, 5-4 sr. L (460 digs, 65 aces).
Finals forecast: Leland returns to the Semifinals for the second straight season after playing at least six matches against teams from all six classes – with impressive results. The Comets finished 3-2-1 against Class A teams, 5-3-1 against Class B, 14-7-1 against Class C and 19-0-1 against Class D programs. Leland graduated three players who earned all-state recognition last season, but Schaub made the third team and is one of a number of strong servers – four have at least 65 aces, and senior Erica Ongaro had a team-high 166 through the Regional.
ONAWAY
Record/rank: 34-16-5, No. 9
Coach: Steve Watson, 12th season (359-179-53)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship game history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 10 Pickford in the Regional Final, 3-0 over No. 8 Stephenson in the Quarterfinal.
Players to watch: Lexi Szymoniak, 5-8 sr. OH (549 kills, 83 aces, 31 blocks, 702 digs); Taylor Ehrke, 5-8 soph. S (849 assists, 125 kills, 373 digs); Elise Arkwood, 5-4 sr. MH (181 kills, 76 aces, 351 digs); Ashley LaLonde, 5-4 sr. RS (406 digs, 85 aces).
Finals forecast: Onaway is on an excellent three-year run, making its second trip to the Semifinals after winning its third league and District titles during that time. Szymoniak made the all-state second team last season and Ehrke made the third. The Cardinals have beaten two straight ranked teams to reach Battle Creek, and also split earlier this season with top-ranked Leland – the only Class D team not to fall to the Comets.
WATERFORD OUR LADY
Record/rank: 27-21-5, No. 6
Coach: Stephanie Swearingen, sixth season (137-56-23)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship game history: Class D runner-up 2013.
Best wins: 3-0 and 3-0 (Quarterfinal) over No. 7 Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 3-2 over No. 6 Plymouth Christian in the Regional Final.
Players to watch: Courtney Wightman, 5-11 jr. OH (408 kills, 36 blocks); Lindsay Wightman, 5-7 soph. OH (300 kills, 108 aces, 487 digs); Rebekah Collier, 6-1 jr. MB (158 kills, 106 blocks); Beth Meehan, 5-5 jr. S (1,039 assists, 289 digs).
Finals forecast: Our Lady’s record is a bit deceiving; subtract a 1-9 run midseason against mostly Class A teams, and the Lakers fall right into place with four sweeps in five postseason matches. Courtney Wightman made the all-state first team last season in leading Our Lady to its first championship match, and Lindsay Wightman made the all-state second team as a freshman.
PHOTO: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, including this season's Miss Volleyball Katherine Carlson (11), celebrates during last year's Class B Semifinal; Notre Dame went on to win the Class B championship.