Story in Photos: 2022 Volleyball Division 1 & 4 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 17, 2022

BATTLE CREEK – Two of this season’s four MHSAA volleyball championship pairings were decided during Thursday’s Semifinals, with a pair of first-time finalists set to play for the Division 4 title and the remaining Division 1 contenders meeting for the second edition of one of this regular season’s most notable matches.

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

10 a.m. – Division 4 – Athens (34-12-3) vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (43-7-6)
Noon – Division 1 – Bloomfield Hills Marian (48-1) vs. Northville (47-3)

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

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

A pair of Northville players, right, put up a block during their 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-13 comeback Semifinal win over Saline, which finished 38-9-1.

Mustangs setter Ella Craggs sets up her hitters Thursday. She finished with 45 assists, while Saline setter Laney Burns had 54. Both totals qualify for the MHSAA record book.

Marian’s Ava Sarafa (2) sets as a pair of Mustangs hitters begin their moves toward the net during their team’s 25-23, 25-16, 25-19 sweep of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, which finished 44-5-1. Sarafa totaled with 36 assists.

Marian’s Ava Sarafa (2) sets as a pair of Mustangs hitters begin their moves toward the net during their team’s 25-23, 25-16, 25-19 sweep of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, which finished 44-5-1. Sarafa totaled with 36 assists.

Mustangs libero Lauren Heming (1) dives to keep the ball in play. She finished with six digs and eight aces as the back-to-back reigning champions advanced.

Kate Lipscomb (7) serves for Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart during its 25-11, 25-10, 25-22 sweep of Crystal Falls Forest Park on Thursday.

Kate Lipscomb (7) serves for Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart during its 25-11, 25-10, 25-22 sweep of Crystal Falls Forest Park on Thursday.

Sacred Heart’s Lillie Laney (9) and Sophie Hauck (2) put up a block on Forest Park’s Leah Feldhausen (15). Laney had a match-high 16 kills and Hauck led the team with 19 assists. Feldhausen had eight kills for the Trojans, who finished 16-5.

Sacred Heart’s Lillie Laney (9) and Sophie Hauck (2) put up a block on Forest Park’s Leah Feldhausen (15). Laney had a match-high 16 kills and Hauck led the team with 19 assists. Feldhausen had eight kills for the Trojans, who finished 16-5.

Athens’ Kamryn Parlin (4) and Alaina Brubaker (8) put up a block as Lansing Christian’s Anna Jackson (5) looks for an opening in the defense. Athens swept the Division 4 Semifinal 25-18, 25-20, 25-23.

Athens’ Kamryn Parlin (4) and Alaina Brubaker (8) put up a block as Lansing Christian’s Anna Jackson (5) looks for an opening in the defense. Athens swept the Division 4 Semifinal 25-18, 25-20, 25-23.

Lansing Christian’s Lydia Brogan (4) attempts to tip the ball over the net with Brubaker and Kylie Quist (1) defending. Quist led Athens with a match-high 11 kills, and Brubaker had a match-high 29 assists. The Pilgrims ended the season 30-12-1.

Lansing Christian’s Lydia Brogan (4) attempts to tip the ball over the net with Brubaker and Kylie Quist (1) defending. Quist led Athens with a match-high 11 kills, and Brubaker had a match-high 29 assists. The Pilgrims ended the season 30-12-1.

TOP PHOTO Athens players engulf each other after clinching their first trip to Finals day by sweeping Lansing Christian at Kellogg Arena.

Be the Referee: Volleyball Jewelry

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

September 6, 2023

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Volleyball Jewelry - Listen

There’s a new rule in volleyball regarding the wearing of jewelry.

Previously, participants were not allowed to wear stud or post-like jewelry, such as earrings, even if they were covered by tape.

But now, stud or post-like jewelry, worn above the chin, is allowed. Stud earrings are now allowed to be worn during play – and do not need to be covered by tape.

Hoop-style jewelry, such as hoop earrings, are still not allowed, even if covered by tape. If a player is wearing hoop earrings, the coach will be issued an administrative yellow card for the first offense and a red card for a second offense in that set.

Items such as a medical-alert medal or a religious medal must be taped to the body and can be visible during play.

Previous Editions

Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen