Be the Referee: Volleyball Obstruction
By
Brent Rice
MHSAA Assistant Director
September 23, 2021
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 Obstruction - Listen
Ever wonder why in volleyball some balls hit into obstructions remain in play, while others are replayed, and some end the rally?
If a ball hits an obstruction over a playable area during a rally, and then is played by the same team, it has the same status as any other hit. However, that isn’t the case in all other instances.
If the ball hitting the wall or an object attached flush to the wall doesn’t actually interfere with a player’s legitimate effort to play the ball, the ball is dead and a loss of rally and point shall be awarded. If it does interfere with the playing of the ball, a replay is declared if the wall is less than six feet from the boundary.
If the ball hits a suspended backboard over the playable area, a replay will be declared as long as the referee believes the ball would have remained in play. Serves that hit any obstruction are a loss of rally and point.
Previous editions
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch - Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen
Story in Photos: 2025 Volleyball Division 1 & 4 Semifinals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2025
BATTLE CREEK – The first day of these MHSAA Girls Volleyball Semifinals saw three of four matches go five sets over 10 hours at Kellogg Arena, with the dramatic moments starting early and ending when the final point hit the floor.
All of the excitement set up Saturday's Division 1 and 4 championship matches, and possibilities for first-time champions in both – but with highly-ranked contenders hoping to stand in the way of those aspirations.
Saturday’s first two title matches will see the following face off:
10 a.m. – Division 4 – Fowler (35-8-2) vs. Mendon (38-6-1)
Noon – Division 1 – Farmington Hills Mercy (41-5-3) vs. Bloomfield Hills (43-6-1)
Mendon is seeking its first Finals championship since 2019, and Fowler its first in program history. They finished Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final regular-season coaches poll.
Mercy, No. 3 in the final Division 1 rankings, most recently won the Division 1 title in 2023. No. 2 Bloomfield Hills has never won a Finals title – but ended an incredible run by top-ranked Rockford on Thursday to earn the opportunity.
Division 2 and 3 Semifinals will be played Friday. Click here for more.
Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Thursday’s action.
Bloomfield Hills senior Kayla Nwabueze (far right) sends a kill attempt into a Rockford block during the Black Hawks' 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Rockford. Nwabueze finished with 43 kills, which are tied for second-most for a single match during the MHSAA Semifinals or Finals since the start of the rally scoring era in 2004-05.
Rockford senior Liv Hosford (1) sends a kill attempt into the block of Bloomfield Hills junior Brynn Wilcox (2) and freshman Emily Nwabueze (8). Hosford had 23 kills for the Rams, who finished 46-2-1.
Farmington Hills Mercy junior Kate Kalcynski (2) attempts to slam a kill past Byron Center senior Lainey VanTol (5) and junior Cara Crittendon during the Marlins’ 25-27, 24-26, 25-16, 25-17, 16-14 victory. Kalcynski totaled 30 kills and 21 digs.
Byron Center junior Caitlin Hartson (1) attempts to get a kill over the Mercy block of Kalczynski and sophomore McKenzie Andrews (12). Hartson finished with 16 kills as the Bulldogs ended their season 37-6-2.
Mendon junior Karyssa Holtz (3) sets as teammates Cienna Nightingale (9) and Sabrina Monroy make their moves toward the net. Holtz finished with 40 assists, Nightingale had six kills and Monroy had four in Mendon’s 25-18, 25-22, 27-25 win.
Ubly senior Sophi Heleski (4) elevates for a kill attempt. She finished with three kills and four digs for the Bearcats (30-11-4).
Fowler players celebrate their 26-24, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 15-8 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park in the day’s first match.
Forest Park junior Vienna Price (4) sets with senior Elsie Williams (2) ready for the next attack. Price had 17 assists and Williams had 32. The Trojans finished this season 42-2.
TOP PHOTO Bloomfield Hills players celebrate their five-set comeback win over Rockford on Thursday at Kellogg Arena.