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.)
Pair of Michigan School Sports' Best Receive National Accolades
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 4, 2021
A pair of longtime and significant contributors to school athletics in Michigan have been recognized nationally as the best in their respective fields by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
Battle Creek St. Philip volleyball coach Vicky Groat was named national Coach of the Year in her sport, while recently-retired administrator Fred Smith was named national Athletic Director of the Year by the NHSACA.
Both were nominated for the national recognition by the Michigan High School Coaches Association. They received their awards at last week’s NHSACA Annual Conference in Lincoln, Neb.
Groat last season led St. Philip to the Division 4 championship, the program’s 11th Finals title with her as head coach. She ranks sixth in MHSAA history with 1,177 coaching wins (1,177-275-93) over 22 seasons. She also serves as principal and athletic director at her school.
Smith served 38 years total as a teacher, coach and administrator with stops at St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, Comstock, Buchanan and Benton Harbor before retiring in 2017. He received a Citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2019 for his various contributions not only in Michigan but nationally, especially in athletic director education and development.
Both Groat and Smith, coincidentally, are graduates of Battle Creek St. Philip. Both also have served on the MHSAA Representative Council, including Smith four years as vice president.
Additionally, Temperance Bedford volleyball coach Jodi Manore and longtime Warren De La Salle Collegiate lacrosse coach and athletic director Mike Jolly were inducted into the NHSACA Hall of Fame. Manore is the winningest coach in MHSAA volleyball history and all-time nationally as well with a record of 2,128-369-59 at Bedford from 1980-83 and again from 1990-2020. Jolly led the Pilots lacrosse program to a 215-105 record and also coached football, basketball and baseball.