Title IX at 50: Bedford Volleyball Pioneer Continues Blazing Record-Setting Trail

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 12, 2021

The national high school record book’s lists for most girls volleyball coaching wins – both among those still active and all-time – is filled with Michigan legendary leaders.

Temperance Bedford’s Jodi Manore tops both of those illustrious rosters. And it’s not even close.

Manore entered this season with a 2,128-369-59 coaching record at the high school level, from two stints at Bedford – beginning with the winter season of 1979-80 through 1983, and continuing with her return to her alma mater during the winter season of 1989-90 through today.

At the start and in between, Manore also served as the University of Toledo’s first women’s coach preceding and during her first tenure with Bedford, and then until returning to the Kicking Mules for her current run. Along the way, she’s led them to Class A championships in 1998, 2001 and 2005, five more Finals runner-up finishes and a total of 24 trips to the Semifinals.

Manore’s 2,128 wins were 363 more than the total of the next closest active coach after last season and 296 more than former Portage Northern and Delton Kellogg coach Jack Magelssen – the previous MHSAA and national record holder.  

Manore was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Hall of Fame in 2019 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame this summer. (Click for an indepth 2015 Second Half feature.)

Second Half's weekly Title IX Celebration posts are sponsored by Michigan Army National Guard.

Previous Title IX at 50 Spotlights

Oct. 5: Warner Paved Way to Legend Status with Record Rounds - Read
Sept. 28: Taylor Kennedy Gymnasts Earn Fame as 1st Champions - Read
Sept. 21: 
Portage Northern Star Byington Becomes Play-by-Play Pioneer - Read
Sept. 14: 
Guerra/Groat Legacy Continues to Serve St. Philip Well - Read
Sept. 7: 
Best-Ever Conversation Must Include Leland's Glass - Read
Aug. 31: We Will Celebrate Many Who Paved the Way - Read

Mercy's Mruzik Adds National Accolade

April 15, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Farmington Hills Mercy senior Jess Mruzik has been awarded as Gatorade’s national “Player of the Year” after earlier earning the state award for the second-straight season.

Mruzik – who missed the start of the high school season while leading the U-18 Team USA squad to a world championship in Egypt – returned to Mercy and led the Marlins to the Division 1 championship, their first MHSAA Finals title in volleyball.

A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Mruzik totaled 495 kills, 209 digs, 47 aces and 19 blocks with .635 kill and .540 hitting percentages. Mercy finished 59-1.

Mruzik also carries a 3.47 grade-point average and has participated in her school’s community clean-up effort and provided youth volleyball instruction as part of her club and local grade school programs. She has begun her studies at University of Michigan, where she will continue her volleyball career.

PHOTO: Farmington Hills Mercy’s Jess Mruzik winds up for a kill attempt during the fall’s Division 1 Final.