Southwest 10 Conference Welcoming Volleyball Athletes as Legacy Officials

By Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com

November 13, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Story in Photos: 2024 Volleyball Division 1 & 4 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 21, 2024

BATTLE CREEK – The matchups for this season’s Division 1 and 4 Volleyball Finals are set after Thursday’s Semifinals at Kellogg Arena, with the possibility of first-time champions in both divisions, a reigning champion playing to repeat in near-perfect fashion and a past champion pursuing its first title in more than a decade.

Saturday’s first two Finals will see the following face off at Kellogg Arena:

10 a.m. – Division 4 – Clarkston Everest Collegiate (37-0-1) vs. St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic (33-3-1)
Noon – Division 1 – Northville (40-2) vs. Rockford (40-9)

Everest is the reigning champion in Division 4 and attempting to become the first Finals winner to also finish undefeated since 2015. The Mountaineers face Our Lady, which will play in its first championship match.

Northville is seeking its first Finals title as well, and finished runner-up in 2022. Rockford is seeking its second championship, to go with its Class A title won in 2011.

Division 2 and 3 Semifinals will be played Friday. Click here for more.

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Thursday’s action.

Northville’s Ella Craggs (9) sets for Elle Chenowith (16) during their team’s 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 Division 1 Semifinal win over Bloomfield Hills Marian (45-8).

Northville’s Ella Craggs (9) sets for Elle Chenowith (16) during their team’s 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 Division 1 Semifinal win over Bloomfield Hills Marian (45-8).

Marian’s Jayla Zayti works to get a ball past Northville’s Mallory Reck (10) and Chenowith (16). Zayti finished with six kills and seven blocks, while Reck had 18 kills and four blocks, and Chenowith had three blocks.

Marian’s Jayla Zayti works to get a ball past Northville’s Mallory Reck (10) and Chenowith (16). Zayti finished with six kills and seven blocks, while Reck had 18 kills and four blocks, and Chenowith had three blocks.

A Fenton player and Rockford's Grace Crelly (12) meet at the net of the second Division 1 Semifinal. Crelly finished with five kills in the Rams’ 25-12, 25-14, 25-8 victory.

A Fenton player and Rockford's Grace Crelly (12) meet at the net of the second Division 1 Semifinal. Crelly finished with five kills in the Rams’ 25-12, 25-14, 25-8 victory.

The Rams' Mallory Wandel (16) elevates for a kill attempt against the Tigers (36-5). Wandel finished with 18 kills.

The Rams' Mallory Wandel (16) elevates for a kill attempt against the Tigers (36-5). Wandel finished with 18 kills.

Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Erin Judge (7) sends a kill attempt toward the Our Lady of the Lake side of the court. Judge finished with 13 kills, but the Lakers prevailed 24-26, 25-22, 26-11, 26-28, 15-8.

Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Erin Judge (7) sends a kill attempt toward the Our Lady of the Lake side of the court. Judge finished with 13 kills, but the Lakers prevailed 24-26, 25-22, 26-11, 26-28, 15-8. The Irish finished 42-5-2 this fall.

Clarkston Everest Collegiate’s Emmerson Phyle (5) serves during her team’s 25-10, 25-16, 25-13 sweep of Hancock to open the Division 4 Semifinals on Thursday. Phyle had a pair of aces during the match.

Clarkston Everest Collegiate’s Emmerson Phyle (5) serves during her team’s 25-10, 25-16, 25-13 sweep of Hancock to open the Division 4 Semifinals on Thursday. Phyle had a pair of aces during the match.

Hancock’s Brooke Koskela (13) puts a ball through an Everest block. Koskela finished with 10 kills for the Gremlins (25-7-2).

Hancock’s Brooke Koskela (13) puts a ball through an Everest block. Koskela finished with 10 kills for the Gremlins (25-7-2).

TOP PHOTO Our Lady of the Lake’s Nora Proos sends a spike into the block of Judge and another teammate Thursday.