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.
Preview: Kellogg Arena to Set Stage Again for 16 Historic Opportunities
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2024
An opportunity to play this Finals weekend at Kellogg Arena, much less win a championship, will be historic for all 16 volleyball teams taking the court.
But there are a few storylines that especially pop out as we head into Thursday’s first matches.
In Division 4, Clarkston Everest Collegiate is playing for a repeat – and to become the first undefeated champion since Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard in Class B in 2015.
In Division 3, all four semifinalists are back from a year ago – but this time the bracket features a rematch of last year’s title decider, with reigning champion Kalamazoo Christian taking on Traverse City St. Francis.
In Division 2, two teams are making their first trips to the Semifinals, and we are guaranteed a first-time champion – in fact, out of 16 teams total over the four divisions, 10 are playing for a first Finals title this weekend. Among those as well is Northville in Division 1, which finished runner-up two seasons ago.
Action begins Thursday with Division 1 and 4 Semifinals, with Divisions 3 and 2 on Friday and all four title matches Saturday. Tickets cost $11 for both rounds, and one ticket is good for all four matches that day. All 12 matches also will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv. Find more information, including how to purchase tickets, on the Volleyball page.
This weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 – Thursday
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Northville, 4:30 p.m.
Rockford vs. Fenton, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 - Friday
Tecumseh vs. Essexville Garber, 4:30 p.m.
Battle Creek Harper Creek vs. Detroit Country Day, 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Cass City, Noon
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Kalamazoo Christian, 2 p.m.
Division 4 – Thursday
Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. Hancock, Noon
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 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.)
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS MARIAN
Record/rank: 46-7, No. 4
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Mayssa Cook, seventh season (315-41-2)
League finish: Second in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), six runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Allie Davison, 5-11 jr. S/RS (948 assists, 240 digs); Sophia Smith, 6-2 soph. RS (266 kills, 67 blocks, 207 digs); Isabelle Busignani, 6-1 sr. OH (548 kills, .304 hitting %, 276 digs).
Finals forecast: After winning three straight Division 1 championships from 2020-22, Marian was stopped by rival Farmington Hills Mercy in the Quarterfinals last year – but has returned to Battle Creek with wins over No. 5 Clarkston and No. 7 Utica Eisenhower among others during this run. The win over Eisenhower avenged a pair of regular-season losses, and the other defeats also all came against top-10 teams in Division 1 – as did four regular-season wins. Busignani made the all-state first team last season, and sophomore outside hitter Calli LeFevre (172 kills) made the third team. Busignani has committed to continue at Cincinnati and was a candidate for the Miss Volleyball Award.
FENTON
Record/rank: 37-4, honorable mention
Michigan Power Rating: No. 8
Coach: Jenna Long, fifth season (137-42-9)
League finish: First in Flint Metro League Stripes and overall
Championship history: Three Class B runner-up finishes (most recent 1992).
Players to watch: Eva Long, 5-11 jr. S (784 assists, 205 kills, .365 hitting %, 238 digs); Megan Gornick, 6-1 sr. MH (222 kills, .439 hitting %, 89 blocks); Anna Logan, 5-8 sr. OH (269 kills).
Finals forecast: Fenton will play in its first Semifinal since 2016 coming off a repeat league title and first District and Regional championships under Jenna Long’s leadership. The Tigers’ only losses this fall were to Mercy, Northville twice and Country Day, and Fenton otherwise has given up only five more sets all season. One of several sweeps came over honorable mention Brighton in the District Final. Eva Long earned an all-state honorable mention last season. Junior middle Marley Pihlstrom (191 kills, 54 blocks) is another key contributor at the net.
NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 39-2, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Sarah Lindstrom, fourth season (182-14)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Players to watch: Molly Reck, 6-0 sr. OH (9.2 kills per game, .327 hitting %, 2.1 aces per game, 7.0 digs per game); Ella Craggs, 5-10 sr. S (23.6 assists per game, .387 hitting %, 8.4 digs per game); Mallory Reck, 6-0 sr. OH (10 kills per game, 7.7 digs per game).
Finals forecast: Northville’s run over the last four seasons has included league, District and Regional titles all four years, and Craggs set for the 2022 runner-up team while the Reck twins were contributors and now-junior libero Giselle Burlingame also saw the floor. Craggs made the all-state first team last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate, and Molly Reck earned an all-state honorable mention in 2023. Molly Reck signed with Oakland, Mallory Reck signed with Marist (N.Y.), and Craggs will continue at Illinois State. Northville has lost only nine sets all season and eliminated top-ranked Mercy in the Regional Semifinal, with the lone losses to No. 5 Clarkston and No. 8 Jenison.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 39-9, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 3
Coach: Kelly Delacher, 20th season (769-321-15)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Class A champion 2011, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Mallory Wandel, 6-1 soph OH (493 kills, 224 digs); Isabella Delacher, 5-9 jr. S (922 assists, 231 digs, 117 kills); Olivia Hosford, 6-0 j. OH (464 kills, 386 digs).
Finals forecast: After winning its third Regional title in four seasons, Rockford is back at Battle Creek for the first time since finishing Division 1 runner-up in 2018. The Rams defeated No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, No. 8 Jenison, No. 10 Grand Rapids Northview and honorable mention Traverse City Central over their last four matches to advance – with the Jenison win avenging a pair of regular-season losses. Seven of Rockford’s nine defeats came to top-10 teams in Division 1, and an eighth came to a top-10 team in Division 2. Hosford made the all-state second team last season.
Division 2
BATTLE CREEK HARPER CREEK
Record/rank: 52-4, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Terra King, 19th season (563-385-80)
League finish: First in Interstate 8 Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cassidy Pratley, 6-1 sr. MB (719 kills, .392 hitting %, 110 blocks, 206 digs); Taegen Anderson, 5-9 jr. S (1,391 assists, 72 aces); Camille Robinson, 5-9 soph. OH (500 kills, 70 aces, 325 digs).
Finals forecast: After playing in Division 1 the last two seasons – and winning a District title a year ago – Harper Creek moved back into Division 2 this fall and advanced to its first Semifinals since 2015. Pratley made the Division 1 all-state third team last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate this fall, and she has signed with Western Michigan. The Beavers defeated No. 6 Grand Rapids South Christian on Tuesday to reach this weekend, and their only losses were to Division 1 teams – and Harper Creek also owns wins over No. 8 Lake Odessa Lakewood, No. 9 Hudsonville Unity Christian and Division 1 No. 8 Jenison.
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 34-1, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 6
Coach: Kim Lockhart, 10th season (254-101-16)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Elise Heimstra, 6-0 jr. OH (320 kills, .308 hitting %, 86 aces, 226 digs); Olivia Grenadier, 6-1 sr. MH (378 kills, .478 hitting %, 245 digs); Payton Woodruff, 5-8 fr. S (890 assists).
Finals forecast: After winning its first Regional title in this sport three years ago, Country Day is making its first trip to the Semifinals and has been considered among championship favorites all season. The Yellowjackets defeated No. 4 North Branch and honorable mentions Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Richmond during this tournament run, and their only loss came to Mercy during a season-opening quad. Grenadier earned an all-state honorable mention last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate, and she’s signed with Colorado.
ESSEXVILLE GARBER
Record/rank: 43-12-2, honorable mention
Michigan Power Rating: No. 17
Coach: Kim Kokaly, 11th season (383-162-30)
League finish: Third in Tri-Valley Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Audrey Ball, 5-11 sr. MB (492 kills, 93 blocks, 583 digs); Ella Kokaly, 5-6 jr. S (1,233 assists, 91 aces, 326 digs); Jeana Lenhard, 6-0 soph. OH (699 kills, .311 hitting %, 75 aces, 351 digs).
Finals forecast: Garber emerged from a league that included Division 2 honorable mentions Freeland and Frankenmuth, later defeated Freeland in a District Final and Tuesday swept honorable mention Fruitport to earn a trip to the Semifinals for the first time. The Dukes have won 12 straight matches and are 17-2-1 since the start of October. Lenhard made the all-state third team last season and adds a sophomore to a starting lineup with two seniors and one player from all four classes. Senior libero Rylee Jatczak (470 digs) is another important defender.
TECUMSEH
Record/rank: 56-2-1, No. 7
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Morgan Skelton, fourth season (153-47-9)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Championship history: Class B runner-up 2011.
Players to watch: Maddy Vanblack, 5-11 jr. OH/DS (337 kills, 68 aces, 309 digs); Lily Gnodtke, 5-7 jr. S (1,186 assists); Emma Eldred 5-11 jr. OH/MB (524 kills, 250 digs).
Finals forecast: Tecumseh won a third-straight league championship this season before beginning the program’s longest tournament run since the 2011 runner-up finish. The only losses this fall came to Dexter and Division 3 top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and the former was avenged a week later. The starting lineup includes five juniors, with the lone senior middle Lauren Kilbarger (201 kills, 83 blocks). Senior Alli Zajac – who has signed to play basketball at Eastern Michigan – adds another 6-2 presence in the middle and entering the week had added 300 kills and 105 blocks.
Division 3
CASS CITY
Record/rank: 37-9-1, No. 5
Michigan Power Rating: No. 8
Coach: Amy Cuthrell, ninth season (209-64-15)
League finish: First in Big Thumb Conference White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Isabelle Phillips, 5-7 sr. S (656 assists, 253 digs); Kacee Gray, 5-8 sr. OH/DS (412 kills, 344 digs); Shelby Ignash, 6-1 sr. M/DS (451 kills, .305 hitting %, 81 blocks, 353 digs).
Finals forecast: Cass City has reached the Semifinals for the third-straight season and will attempt to take another step with five seniors anchoring the starting lineup including Miss Volleyball Award candidate Ignash. She made the all-state first team last season, and Gray made the third. Another of those seniors, Lexi Champagne, entered the week with 234 kills, 57 aces and 241 digs. Six of the nine losses this fall came to teams ranked or honorable mentions in Divisions 1 and 2, with the only loss to a team in Division 3 or 4 coming against potential championship match opponent Kalamazoo Christian – and Cass City also defeated K-Christian during tournament play that day.
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 31-8-2, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 4
Coach: Carlie Southland, third season (110-20-8)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Reagan Zuiderveen, 5-8 jr. S (998 assists, 294 digs); Hayden Deming, 5-11 sr. OH (301 kills, 67 aces); Annelise de Jong, 6-0 sr. OH (493 kills, .326 hitting %, 63 aces, 322 digs).
Finals forecast: Kalamazoo Christian graduated three players who earned all-state recognition during last season’s championship run, but is right back at the Semifinals for the third-straight year after also finishing Division 3 runner-up in 2022. Deming and de Jong were in the starting lineup for last year’s Final, and they’ve taken top hitting roles for a team that’s won 10 of its last 11 matches. Only two losses this fall came against opponents in Division 3 or 4, including one in the split with Cass City noted above. Sophomore hitter Elliana VanDusen had added another 220 kills entering the week.
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 37-4-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Kim Windham, first season (37-4-1)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jessica Costlow, 5-11 sr. OH (469 kills, .405 hitting %, 381 digs); McKenna Payne, 5-7 sr. S/RS (330 assists, 163 kills, 224 digs); Madeline Dettling, 6-0 jr. OH (217 kills, 290 digs).
Finals forecast: Make it five Semifinals trips in six seasons for the Kestrels, this time returning its top three players from a year ago with Costlow and Payne coming off all-state first-team selections and Dettling making the second team in 2023. Costlow and Payne also were Miss Volleyball Award candidates this fall; Costlow will continue at Illinois State, and Payne has signed with Utah. SMCC hasn’t lost a set over five tournament matches, including a sweep of No. 2 Plymouth Christian Academy in the Regional Final. The only losses were to top-10 or honorable mention Division 1 teams, and the Kestrels have wins over Division 1 No. 3 Forest Hills Northern and No. 7 Eisenhower. Sophomore Alexa Turner had a team-leading 662 assists heading into the week.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 34-12-3, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 3
Coach: Kathleen Nance, sixth season (173-79-10)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2023, Class C runner-up 2012.
Players to watch: Quinn Yenshaw, 6-0 jr. OH (463 kills, 91 aces, 302 digs); Reese Jones, 5-4 jr. S (655 assists, 274 digs); Avery Nance, 5-4 sr. L (101 aces, 530 digs).
Finals forecast: Last season’s runner-up is back with four starters and the libero from last season’s championship match lineup, with Avery Nance a returning all-state first-team selection and Yenshaw a third-teamer. Nance is the only senior in this season’s starting lineup as the Gladiators advanced with wins over No. 7 Elk Rapids in the District Final, No. 4 Calumet in the Regional Final and honorable mention Roscommon in the Quarterfinal. The subs are super, as senior Landry Fouch is second on the team with 246 kills, and senior Tessah Konas had 529 assists entering the week.
Division 4
CLARKSTON EVEREST COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 36-0-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Danielle Walker, second season (67-4-3)
League finish: First in CHSL Intersectional #2
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2023.
Players to watch: Sarah Bradley, 6-0 sr. OH (394 kills, .345 hitting %, 104 aces, 213 digs); Erica Walker, sr. S/RS (828 assists); Madelyn Krappmann, 5-10 jr. OH (337 kills, .300 hitting %, 214 digs).
Finals forecast: A year after entering Finals weekend as the lowest-ranked of four remaining contenders and coming away with the program’s first title, Everest has been nearly perfect in its encore. Only a split with Division 2 No. 4 North Branch has kept the Mountaineers from a flawless record, and their tournament sweeps of No. 4 Fowler and No. 9 Ubly are part of a run of nine straight as Everest has lost only five sets all season. The entire starting lineup and seven of eight players who saw action for all five sets in last year’s Final are back this weekend. Bradley and Krappmann both made the all-state first team last season, and Bradley is committed to continue at Calvin University.
HANCOCK
Record/rank: 25-6-2, unranked
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Brian Lamppa, first season (25-6-2)
League finish: Second in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Brooke Koskela, 5-7 sr. OH (385 kills, 100 aces, 320 digs); Emily L’Esperance, sr. S (542 assists); Alice Larson, jr DS (66 aces, 170 digs).
Finals forecast: After previously playing in Division 3, Hancock moved into Division 4 this fall and is making its first trip to the Semifinals after winning its first Regional title since 2009. Lamppa took over the program with more than two decades of college coaching experience including at the Division I level and after serving as head coach most recently at Finlandia. The Bulldogs stunned No. 5 Crystal Falls Forst Park in the Regional Final, avenging a September tournament sweep, and they’ve won 20 of their last 22 matches.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 42-4-2, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 4
Coach: Krista Davis, 11th season (363-129-46)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2022.
Players to watch: Sophie Hauck, 5-7 sr. S (808 assists, 112 kills, .319 hitting %); Erin Judge, 5-10 sr. MH (304 kills, .314 hitting %, 63 blocks); Chelsea Lynch, 5-8 sr. OH (216 kills, 434 digs).
Finals forecast: Sacred Heart has reached at least the Quarterfinals the last four seasons, and now the Semifinals three of the last four. The Irish have won 12 straight matches, with all of their losses and one of their two ties to Division 2 or 3 teams. Hauck made the all-state second team and Judge the third team last year, and Hauck and Lynch both started for the 2022 championship team. Sophomore outside hitter Karis Terwilliger added 153 kills heading into this week, and junior libero Isabel Rookard (546 digs, 64 aces) keys the defense.
ST. JOSEPH OUR LADY OF THE LAKE
Record/rank: 32-3-1, No. 8
Michigan Power Rating: No. 15
Coach: Erin Cashen, second season (57-11-4)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Nora Proos, 5-10 sr. MH/OH (449 kills, 101 aces, 370 digs); Rachel Kalamaros, 5-8 sr. MB/OH (244 kills, 85 aces, 377 digs); Aislin Sargent, 5-5 sr. S (1,070 assists, 75 aces, 238 digs).
Finals forecast: Our Lady has reached the Quarterfinals twice in Cashen’s two seasons, winning the first two Regional titles in program history, and now has reached the Semifinals for the first time as well. The team has just seven players – five seniors and two eighth graders (allowed because of the school’s small enrollment). The Lakers defeated No. 7 Wyoming Tri-unity Christian and No. 10 Concord during this tournament run. Proos made the all-state third team last season. Senior Jojo Marsh is another valuable hitter with 295 kills entering this week, as well as 109 aces and 323 digs.
PHOTO Fenton's Eva Long (2) sets during Tuesday's Division 1 Quarterfinal, as Battle Creek Lakeview's Karlee Gutsue (14) and her teammates anticipate the next hit. (Photo by John Johnson.)