Story in Photos: 2022 Volleyball Division 2 & 3 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 18, 2022

The 2022 Volleyball Finals field is full, with Division 2 and 3 title contenders earning their way Friday to the final day of this season.

Saturday’s championship match schedule, including the Division 4 and 1 finales determined Thursday, will conclude the fall at Battle Creek’s 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)
2:30 p.m. – Division 3 – Pewamo-Westphalia (45-2-2) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (39-5-3)
4:30 p.m. – Division 2 – North Branch (52-7) vs. Cadillac (34-10-4)

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Friday’s Semifinals:

Cadillac’s Makenzie Johns (13) blasts a ball over the net as Dearborn Divine Child’s Reese Ringwelski (1) puts up a block. Johns had eight kills as Cadillac prevailed 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13.

Cadillac’s Makenzie Johns (13) blasts a ball over the net as Dearborn Divine Child’s Reese Ringwelski (1) puts up a block. Johns had eight kills as Cadillac prevailed 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13.

The Vikings’ Cassie Jenema (4) sets for her teammates as Divine Child awaits on the other side of the net. The Falcons finished this fall 16-19-1.

The Vikings’ Cassie Jenema (4) sets for her teammates as Divine Child awaits on the other side of the net. The Falcons finished this fall 16-19-1.

North Branch libero Hailey Green (4) passes the ball from the back row during her team’s 25-13, 25-19, 25-15 win over Grand Rapids South Christian. She had 19 digs.

North Branch libero Hailey Green (4) passes the ball from the back row during her team’s 25-13, 25-19, 25-15 win over Grand Rapids South Christian. She had 19 digs.

The Sailors’ Kennedy Arp (6) looks for an opening in the Broncos’ defense. She finished with four kills as her team concluded the season 36-7-3.

The Sailors’ Kennedy Arp (6) looks for an opening in the Broncos’ defense. She finished with four kills as her team concluded the season 36-7-3.

Lola Stecker (3) blocks a Calumet kill attempt during Kalamazoo Christian’s 16-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-11 comeback win over the Copper Kings, who finished 30-7.Lola Stecker (3) blocks a Calumet kill attempt during Kalamazoo Christian’s 16-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-11 comeback win over the Copper Kings, who finished 30-7.

Kalamazoo Christian teammates converge on libero Hope Krichke (4) to celebrate their Semifinal win.

Kalamazoo Christian teammates converge on libero Hope Krichke (4) to celebrate their Semifinal win.

Pewamo-Westphalia’s Chloe Hengesbach (4) and Sierra Schnieder (12) put up a strong block during the Pirates’ 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of Cass City. Schneider finished with four blocks.

Pewamo-Westphalia’s Chloe Hengesbach (4) and Sierra Schnieder (12) put up a strong block during the Pirates’ 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of Cass City. Schneider finished with four blocks.

The Pirates’ Taylor Smith (11) sets for Schneider. Smith posted a match-high 26 assists. Cass City ended the season 34-9-3.

The Pirates’ Taylor Smith (11) sets for Schneider. Smith posted a match-high 26 assists. Cass City ended the season 34-9-3.

TOP PHOTO Kalamazoo Christian’s Annelise de Jong (2) and Calumet’s Allison Bjorn (17) simultaneously make contact with the ball at the net during their Division 3 Semifinal on Friday.

Story in Photos: 2023 Volleyball Division 2 & 3 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 16, 2023

BATTLE CREEK – Championship matches are set in Divisions 2 and 3 after Thursday’s MHSAA Volleyball Semifinals at Kellogg Arena, with a reigning champion set to continue a repeat pursuit and the other three finalists all earning an opportunity to play for a first Finals title on the volleyball court.

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

2:30 p.m. – Division 2 – Grand Rapids West Catholic (38-9-6) vs. North Branch (55-4-1)
4:30 p.m. – Division 3 – Kalamazoo Christian (42-6-3) vs. Traverse City St. Francis (38-9-1)

North Branch is the reigning champion in Division 2 and will be playing in the title match for the third-straight season. The Broncos will face West Catholic, a first-time finalist. In Division 3, Kalamazoo Christian will return to the Final after finishing runner-up a year ago, and both the Comets and St. Francis are seeking a first championship with the Gladiators also a past runner-up.

Division 1 and 4 Semifinals will be played Friday. Click here for more.

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

Grand Rapids Christian’s Grace Goodyke smashes a kill attempt into a block of Clara Gyoromy (14) and Maci Kaake (17).

Grand Rapids Christian’s Grace Goodyke smashes a kill attempt into a block of Clara Gyoromy (14) and Maci Kaake (17). Goodyke had 16 kills for the No. 2 Eagles (35-13-1), but top-ranked North Branch prevailed 25-16, 25-16, 25-17 in a Division 2 Semifinal.

The Broncos’ Hailey Green (4) connects from her libero position; she finished with 12 digs for North Branch (55-4-1).

The Broncos’ Hailey Green (4) connects from her libero position; she finished with 12 digs for North Branch (55-4-1).

Grand Rapids West Catholic Ella Bernreuter (13) connects on a kill attempt during a 25-16, 25-13, 25-19 win in Division 2, with Milan’s Lauryn Parris (4) and Malea Wourman (8) blocking. Bernreuter finished with six kills for the Falcons (38-9-6).

Grand Rapids West Catholic Ella Bernreuter (13) connects on a kill attempt during a 25-16, 25-13, 25-19 win in Division 2, with Milan’s Lauryn Parris (4) and Malea Wourman (8) blocking. Bernreuter finished with six kills for the Falcons (38-9-6).

West Catholic’s Mia Henne attempts to tip the ball over the net with Mariah Stines (16) on the block for Milan (27-9-2).

West Catholic’s Mia Henne attempts to tip the ball over the net with Mariah Stines (16) on the block for Milan (27-9-2).

Traverse City St. Francis’ Tessah Konas (10) sets for an oncoming teammate during the Gladiators’ 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 Division 3 Semifinal win. Konas and Reese Jones both had 22 assists to lead St. Francis. 

Traverse City St. Francis’ Tessah Konas (10) sets for an oncoming teammate during the Gladiators’ 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 Division 3 Semifinal win. Konas and Reese Jones both had 22 assists to lead St. Francis. 

Cass City’s Josie Spencer contends for a ball at the net; she finished with 10 kills and 11 digs. The No. 10 Red Hawks finished 34-7-5 while No. 5 St. Francis advanced at 38-9-1.

Cass City’s Josie Spencer contends for a ball at the net; she finished with 10 kills and 11 digs. The No. 10 Red Hawks finished 34-7-5 while No. 5 St. Francis advanced at 38-9-1.

Kalamazoo Christian’s Makenna Ekkens (13) takes a big swing at the net during the No. 4 Comets’ 25-15, 25-10, 25-17 win over top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.

Kalamazoo Christian’s Makenna Ekkens (13) takes a big swing at the net during the No. 4 Comets’ 25-15, 25-10, 25-17 win over top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. She finished with nine kills and 12 digs as K-Christian (42-6-3) ended the Kestrels’ season at 33-9-1.

TOP PHOTO Comets including Lola Stecker (7) and Jovie Cochran (8) celebrate Thursday’s Division 3 Semifinal win at Kellogg Arena.