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.

Be the Referee: Volleyball Unplayable Areas

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

November 14, 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 Unplayable Areas - Listen

We’re on the volleyball court today when my teammate’s second touch sends the ball towards the bleachers, still on our side of the net. I take off running to attempt to hit it over and jump onto the first row of the stands in order to reach it. I am able to volley the ball over the net, and remarkably it falls to the floor untouched for a point. Or is it?

It is not. The bleachers are not a playable area in volleyball, so my hit wouldn’t count. It would actually be a point for the other team. Despite my best parkour efforts, it’s all for naught.

With player safety in mind, there are other unplayable areas in volleyball including the area behind the benches and the space between the benches and scorer’s table.

Before each match, the officials go over playable and unplayable areas with both coaches.

Previous Editions

Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen