Volleyball: In Ubly, Kubacki means Assist

February 29, 2012

In a report by the Huron Daily Tribune, Ubly coach Andy Guza called the last victory of his team's three-set win over Sandusky on Oct. 4, "the craziest game I've ever seen."

It also capped a record-setting match for his junior setter.

Ubly won 25-19, 26-28, 25-27, 25-21 and 23-21. Junior Ashley Kubacki totaled 65 assists -- 18 more than Ubly's previous school record and also two more than the previous best in the MHSAA record book for the five-game rally scoring era.

The main recipient of those passes was senior Nicole Kubacki, who finished with 32 kills -- which tied for 16th most in the MHSAA record book for one match.

(NOTE: The MHSAA switched to five-game rally scoring in 2004-05, and at that time started new record book listings for all categories to reflect the change in format.)

Title IX at 50: Marysville Builds Winning Streak Yet to be Challenged

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 23, 2021

This weekend wrapped up a season that saw two of the most dominating team performances in nearly a half-century of MHSAA volleyball – Bloomfield Hills Marian and Pontiac Notre Dame were Finals champions, both finishing their seasons with only one loss. Over the previous decade, only one team did one better – the 2015 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard team finished a perfect 41-0.

All of that provides just a little more context to an accomplishment that really doesn’t need too much – the 192-match win streak built by Marysville from Dec. 10, 1996 through Jan. 15, 2000.

After losing in a Lower Peninsula Class B Semifinal that previous March – when volleyball was still a winter sport – Marysville opened the 1996-97 season with a victory and didn’t lose or draw again until falling to Flint Carman-Ainsworth during the Birch Run Invitational on Jan. 15, 2000.

The sport has changed plenty in Michigan over the last 20 years, from when it’s played to how it’s played. But the streak is incredible in any era – the next longest in volleyball is 98 straight wins by Flint Kearsley during the 1984-85 seasons. Only Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern – with 92 straight wins from Feb. 24, 2002 through March 15, 2003 – has broken 90 since Marysville’s incredible run.

This also was only party of Marysville's marvelous story at the turn of the century. The front of this run made up part of a streak of eight straight Finals championships from 1997-2004, a record as well until Battle Creek St. Philip won nine straight from Winter 2007-2014. 

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

Previous Title IX at 50 Spotlights

Nov. 16: Wroubel Has Championed Girls School Sports from Their Start - Read
Nov. 9: Pioneer's Joyce Legendary in Michigan, National Swim History - Read
Nov. 2: Royal Oak's Finch Leading Way on Football Field - Read
Oct. 26: Coach Clegg Sets Championship Standard at Grand Blanc - Read
Oct. 19: Rockford Girls Set Pace, Hundreds After Have Continued to Chase - Read
Oct. 12: 
Bedford Volleyball Pioneer Continues Blazing Record-Setting Trail - Read
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

PHOTO Marysville's Randi Kettlewell (12) drives a kill attempt against Stevensville Lakeshore during the 1999 Class B Final. (MHSAA file photo.)