Block Party: 2025 Girls Volleyball District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 3, 2025
Nearly 700 high school varsity volleyball teams will begin their marches toward MHSAA championships over the next three days, beginning a final three-week run that will conclude Nov. 22 at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
District tournaments start tonight with 178 matches. Links to interactive brackets for all four divisions plus information on purchasing tickets is available on the Girls Volleyball page, and a list version of tonight’s slate is posted on the Scores page – with green TV icons linked to broadcasts on the NFHS Network.
Below is a look at a few last regular-season results of note and glances at three Districts in each division that especially pop off the page. Records, results and schedules below are those posted for teams on MHSAA.com, and rankings reflect polls posted by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Kingsley d. Traverse City St. Francis (25-20, 25-21) This was the most notable result from the annual ABCD quad, as Kingsley (50-4-1) is ranked No. 3 in Division 3 and St. Francis is No. 8 (28-16-0).
2. Coldwater d. Mendon (2-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 15-3) The Cardinals (22-17-5) head into Division 1 District play off avenging a loss from 11 days prior to the Division 4 top-ranked Hornets (32-6-1).
3. Marshall d. Edwardsburg (25-23, 25-21, 15-25, 25-15) Honorable mention Marshall (31-11-5) got a nice boost heading into Division 2 District play, adding a second win this season over the No. 9 Eddies (28-8-0).
4. Adrian Madison d. Concord (23-25, 26-24, 25-15) The Trojans (34-14-2) came back after losing the first set to add a second win this season (plus a draw) against the Division 4 No. 6 Yellow Jackets (26-10-3).
5. Lowell d. Battle Creek Harper Creek (25-14, 25-15) The Division 1 No. 8 Red Arrows (35-8-3) also swept Mattawan and Caledonia at their regular-season ending quad, but with this matchup with the Division 2 honorable mention Beavers (27-21-1) perhaps most notable from the final tune-up.
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold, and top two seeds at each are noted.
DIVISION 1
Cadillac
#1 Cadillac (34-7-1), #2 Mount Pleasant (26-9-1), Midland (25-8-4), Midland Dow (21-13-5), Bay City Western (20-16-4).
All five of these teams have winning records, with Big North Conference co-champion Cadillac holding down the top seed and potentially looking for a chance to avenge after seeing last season end against Mount Pleasant in a District Semifinal. Those two met only once this regular season, a 2-1 Mount Pleasant win at the Flint Powers Catholic Tournament. The Oilers also won their division of the Saginaw Valley League and went a combined 6-0 against the other three SVL teams in this week’s field.
Northville
#1 South Lyon East (37-7-1), #2 South Lyon (33-9-0), Northville (19-13-0), Salem (12-11-0), Canton (7-17-0), Plymouth (8-26-0).
South Lyon East has won its last 11 matches, is the only team in the state to defeat top-ranked Rockford, has a pair of wins over rival South Lyon and defeated Northville in their lone meeting as well. But South Lyon will certainly be prepared to challenge its rival one more time and has won nine of its last 10 matches with a victory over Clarkston during that run. And don’t count out Northville – last season’s Division 1 champion – which has seen several of the state’s best and did defeat East in last year’s District Final.
Troy Athens
#1 Bloomfield Hills Marian (43-5-0), #2 Bloomfield Hills (37-6-1), Troy Athens (21-6-1), Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (10-11-3), Birmingham Seaholm (12-22-2), Troy (1-29-0).
Marian and Bloomfield Hills High have hovered among the top-ranked teams in the state all season, with the Black Hawks holding a 2-1 match advantage as Marian won their first meeting Sept. 4 but Bloomfield Hills claimed the next two including in a three-set comeback Oct. 25. Marian made the Division 1 Semifinals last season and has won District championships nine straight seasons. Host Athens has enjoyed a notable six-win jump from a year ago and won 11 of its last 12 matches.
DIVISION 2
Adrian
#1 Tecumseh (51-2-0), #2 Adrian Madison (34-14-2), Chelsea (32-11-2), Brooklyn Columbia Central (23-16-0), Adrian (15-21-1), Michigan Center (14-23-2).
Last season’s Division 2 runner-up Tecumseh has certainly earned its way to the top seed this week with its only losses this season to Division 3 top-ranked Roscommon and Division 1 No. 6 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern. Tecumseh also has two wins apiece over Chelsea, Columbia Central, Adrian and Madison, and Chelsea and Madison could meet Wednesday to set up one last rematch. Madison defeated Chelsea in three sets during the Sept. 20 Onsted Tournament.
Caro
#1 North Branch (32-8-0), #2 Imlay City (33-9-0), Yale (23-24-1), Croswell-Lexington (25-24-0), Caro (1-20-0).
A District Final matchup between North Branch and Imlay City would be the third meeting in three weeks between the Blue Water Area Conference rivals, with North Branch winning during the league schedule Oct. 21 and again in the league tournament four days later, both in three-set sweeps. The Broncos are ranked No. 2 and Imlay City No. 7 statewide in Division 2, and if they meet once more it will be with North Branch’s 20-year District title streak on the line.
Saginaw Swan Valley
#1 Essexville Garber (39-13-3), #2 Saginaw Swan Valley (22-13-1), Freeland (24-15-2), Carrollton (31-2-2), Bay City John Glenn (10-18-1), Bridgeport (1-13-0).
Garber is the top seed after reaching the Division 2 Semifinals a year ago and taking Tecumseh to a fifth set in Battle Creek. But no matter which opponent the Dukes might face if they reach the District Final this week, they’ll surely be cautious. Garber defeated Swan Valley in four sets two weeks ago, but fell to Freeland in five in their league meeting Sept. 24. And Carrollton definitely is intriguing with its only losses to Division 3 No. 9 Saginaw Valley Lutheran and a strong Breckenridge team.4
DIVISION 3
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker
#1 Cass City (22-8-2), #2 Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker (19-14-3), Bad Axe (26-14-0), Unionville-Sebewaing (16-15-4), Harbor Beach (15-17-3).
Although Cass City is a combined 7-0 this season against Laker, Bad Axe and USA, there is potential for some shaking up in this bracket as those opponents all are familiar with each other. Cass City won two matches against Laker, both in four sets, and Laker has two wins in three matches against Bad Axe, both victories coming in five sets. Laker and Bad Axe could meet Wednesday with another opportunity to see Cass City on the line – but Harbor Beach and USA have made enough noise during the season to make this unpredictable.
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central
#1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (20-4-1), #2 Clinton (31-5-1), Ottawa Lake Whiteford (20-12-0), Erie Mason (13-13-3), Blissfield (8-28-1), Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (7-9-1).
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central is the reigning Division 3 champion and again has seen its share of top competition from multiple divisions. The Kestrels are coming off a loss to league rival Flat Rock, and Clinton – which made the Regional Finals a year ago – will try to jump into the mix with 11 wins over its last 13 matches and losses as well to some of the best in Divisions 2 and 4 including Tecumseh and Mendon. Whiteford also recently tested itself against several larger opponents, going 3-3 at the Belleville Invitational on Oct. 18.
Morley Stanwood
#1 Morley Stanwood (26-12-0), #2 Kent City (31-7-2), White Cloud (16-16-0), Lakeview (14-13-3), Blanchard Montabella (3-26-1).
Host Morley Stanwood and Kent City met three times during the regular season, splitting league matchups with Kent City winning the first, Morley Stanwood the second, but then Kent City coming back to win the third at the Central State Activities Association Tournament – and after losing the first set. That turnaround may provide Kent City with nice momentum if they meet again, although the Eagles did go 2-2 in matches last week. White Cloud lost twice to both this fall, but did take a set off Kent City in their second meeting Oct. 14.
DIVISION 4
Non-Traditional (top line of bracket hosts)
#1 Hancock (24-4-2), #2 Lake Linden-Hubbell (24-5-0), Baraga (21-10-0), Dollar Bay (19-11-0), Chassell (13-11-0), L’Anse (8-19-0).
Hancock burst back on the scene by making last season’s Division 4 Semifinals, and while it would be easy to look ahead to a potential Regional matchup next week with Crystal Falls Forest Park, the Bulldogs have to be cautious this week to make that happen. They’ve seen Lake Linden-Hubbell twice, winning both times in four sets, and Baraga and Dollar Bay have impressed as well – Baraga nearly flipping its record from a year ago. Lake Linden-Hubbell closed the regular season with a sweep of Dollar Bay, but Dollar Bay won their previous meeting in five and should present quite a challenge if it advances to Wednesday.
Bear Lake
#1 Onekama (32-9-3), #2 Suttons Bay (23-2-0), Leland (12-27-1), Frankfort (15-17-2), Bear Lake (16-23-0), Lake Leelanau St. Mary (4-26-3).
Onekama is a combined 11-2-1 over its last 14 matches and 5-0 this season against teams in this bracket as the Portagers seek a sixth-straight District title. They played Suttons Bay to a five-set win on Sept. 25, taking the first two and losing the next pair before winning the decider. Suttons Bay’s only other loss this season came to Division 3 contender Traverse city St. Francis, and the Norsemen defeated both possible Wednesday opponents Leland and St. Mary in a quad Oct. 23.
Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy
#1 Hillsdale Academy (21-11-1), #2 Concord (26-10-3), Hillsdale Will Carleton Academy (18-7-3), Pittsford (13-12-0).
The bracket also is filled with teams with winning records, with Hillsdale Academy an honorable mention and Concord ranked No. 6 in the most recent coaches poll. Hillsdale Academy has lost four of its last six matches, but those defeats came to Division 2 or 3 teams, or top-ranked Mendon, and Colts have wins in lone matches against Concord and Pittsford. Concord went 2-2 to close the regular season, but also with losses to Division 2 and 3 teams. Will Carleton and Pittsford have split a pair of meetings over the last three weeks.
PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Country Day hosts Hartland on Oct. 9. (Middle) Bath faces Brooklyn Columbia Central during the Mason Invitational on Sept. 13. (Country Day/Hartland photo by TCP-Photography. Bath/Ovid-Elsie photo by Click by Christine McCallister.)
Preview: Setting Out to Make History
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 15, 2017
There are some clear favorites heading into this MHSAA Volleyball Finals weekend at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
Three reigning champions are back from a year ago. Two of those are among the three top-ranked teams still in play. But 12 others are aiming to show that rankings and past history won’t matter this time around.
Below is this weekend’s schedule:
Class A Semifinals – Thursday
Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Bloomfield Hills Marian, 4:30 p.m.
DeWitt vs. Novi, 6:30 p.m.
Class B Semifinals - Friday
Lake Odessa Lakewood vs. Livonia Ladywood, 4:30 p.m.
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Fruitport, 6:30 p.m.
Class C Semifinals – Friday
Wixom St. Catherine vs. Laingsburg, Noon
Bronson vs. Calumet, 2 p.m.
Class D Semifinals - Thursday
Munising vs. Fowler, Noon
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Rogers City, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Class A, 2 p.m.
Class B, 4 p.m.
Class C, Noon
Class D, 10 a.m.
Click for links to all results from this season’s tournament plus information on live broadcasts of all 12 matches this weekend on MHSAA.tv and MHSAANetwork.com. Below is a glance at all 16 contenders, with statistics through last week's Regional Finals unless noted.
Class A
BLOOMFIELD HILLS MARIAN
Record/rank: 44-12-1, No. 7
Coach: Lauren Duquette, first season (44-12-1)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Class A champions 2010 and 2009, five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 (Quarterfinal) and 2-1 over honorable mention Midland, 3-0 over No. 8 Clarkston in the Regional Final, 3-1 over honorable mention Rochester Hills Stoney Creek in the Regional Semifinal, 2-1 over No. 5 Lake Orion, 2-0 over honorable mention Utica Eisenhower, 2-1 over No. 10 Monroe, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-1 over honorable mention Macomb Dakota, 3-0 over Class B No. 1 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-1 over Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian Academy, 2-1 over Class C No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Players to watch: Lauren Wenzel, 6-2 sr. M; Maggie DePorre, 5-11 sr. M; Maddie Dowd, 5-10 jr. S. (Statistics not submitted).
Finals forecast: Marian took another step this fall under first-year coach Duquette, a former standout at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and Oakland University and coach for the previous six seasons at Rochester High. Five starters came back from last year’s Quarterfinal team that fell to eventual champion Novi, led by Wenzel – who made the all-state third team as a junior and will continue her career next season at Notre Dame. DePorre and Dowd also were all-region picks a year ago. Dowd has committed to play at Georgetown after high school and DePorre has signed with Hillsdale College.
DEWITT
Record/rank: 45-4, No. 4
Coach: Christy Thelen, 10th season (404-90-8)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 (Regional Final), 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Richland Gull Lake, 3-1 over honorable mention Mattawan in the Regional Semifinal, 2-0 over honorable mention Lowell, 2-0 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-1 over No. 1 Novi, 2-0 over honorable mention East Grand Rapids, 2-1 over honorable mention Macomb Dakota.
Players to watch: Brooke Binkley, 5-6 sr. S (1,192 assists, 349 digs); Grace George, 5-10 sr. OH (519 kills, 356 digs); Desiree Becker, 6-2 jr. MH (387 kills, .360 hitting %, 148 blocks, 51 aces).
Finals forecast: DeWitt will play in its first Semifinal since 2000 in Class B after finally breaking through following fourth-straight league and District titles. Becker, Binkley, George and senior libero Stephanie Starr all were all-region picks last season, and Becker is considered one of the state’s top juniors. The Panthers are among the few that have beaten reigning champ Novi, downing the Wildcats and Marian at Novi’s tournament in September. DeWitt also has wins over Class B No. 6 Marshall and No. 9 Freeland and still-impressive losses to Class A No. 1 Rockford, No. 5 Lake Orion and No. 6 Farmington Hills Mercy.
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY
Record/rank: 50-7-1, No. 6
Coach: Loretta Vogel, ninth season (record N/A)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Class A runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 3-1 (Quarterfinal) and 2-0 over honorable mention New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 3-1 and 3-2 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-1 over No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian, 2-0 over No. 4 DeWitt, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 8 Clarkston, 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 5 Lake Orion, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Macomb Dakota, 2-0 over honorable mention Utica Eisenhower, 2-0 over No. 10 Monroe, 2-0 over Class B No. 1 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-1 over Class C No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Players to watch: Jess Mruzik, 6-1 soph. OH; Lauren Hunter, 5-11 sr. OH; Julia Bishop, 5-9 fr. S. (Statistics not submitted.)
Finals forecast: Mercy is back at the Semifinals for the first time since its championship match run in 2010, led by one of the state’s winningest coaches but also with a lot of help from standout underclassmen. Vogel is in her 40th season coaching overall and has more than 1,000 career wins, and she brings a lineup that includes Mruzik and two freshmen starters. Mruzik – who already has committed to play college volleyball at University of Michigan – made the all-state third team last season, and Hunter earned an honorable mention.
NOVI
Record/rank: 55-3, No. 2
Coach: Jennifer Cottrill, sixth season (284-24-2)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold and overall
Championship history: Class A champion 2016 and 2015, runner-up 2014.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Temperance Bedford in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 (District Final), 2-0, 2-0 and 3-0 over No. 9 Northville, 2-0 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 8 Clarkston, 2-0 over honorable mention Macomb Dakota, 2-0 over No. 10 Monroe, 2-0 over Class C No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 2-0 over Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian Academy, 2-0 over Class D No. 2 Leland.
Players to watch: Erin O’Leary, 5-10 sr. S (1,451 assists, 207 kills, 307 digs, 93 aces); Abryanna Cannon, 6-1 sr. OH (507 kills, .401 hitting %, 322 digs); Kathryn Ellison, 6-1 sr. OH (325 kills, .325 hitting %, 327 digs).
Finals forecast: The two-time reigning Class A champions have been among favorites all season for obvious reasons. O’Leary was named Miss Volleyball earlier this week and Cannon also was a candidate; they are headed next season to Michigan and Northwestern, respectively, while Ellison will play at Kent State. The losses came to DeWitt, Bedford and Lake Orion, and the Wildcats avenged the Bedford defeat Tuesday and can avenge the DeWitt defeat Thursday. Junior Jaeda Porter, senior Savanna Frick and sophomore Shannon Jennings all also have at least 130 kills while hitting at least .300.
Class B
FRUITPORT
Record/rank: 36-17-4, honorable mention
Coach: Nicole Bayle, 10th season (367-152-5)
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 over honorable mention Cadillac in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 over honorable mention Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the Regional Semifinal, 3-0 over No. 8 Spring Lake in the District opener, 2-1 over Class A honorable mention Midland, 2-0 over Class C No. 9 Traverse City St. Francis.
Players to watch: Kailey Carmean, 5-7 jr. S; Jordyn Carlyle, 5-11 jr. MH; Kylie Oberlin, 5-11 jr. MH. (Statistics not submitted.)
Finals forecast: Fruitport has had one of the strongest traditions on the west side of the state going back to when Bayle starred two decades ago, and she has the Trojans back in the Semifinals for the first time since leading them to back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. She also has only one senior – defensive specialist Chloe Kern – meaning this could be the first of another run of trips to the season’s final weekend. Fruitport has won 12 straight matches since falling during the regular season to Spring Lake, which it then defeated to start the District.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Record/rank: 46-5-2, No. 3
Coach: Kellie Rowland, 23rd season (1,026-153-7)
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference
Championship history: Class B champion 2012, three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 4 Niles in the Quarterfinal, 3-0 over No. 6 Marshall in the Regional Final, 2-0 over honorable mention Grand Rapids West Catholic, 2-0 over honorable mention Fruitport, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 2-1 over Class A honorable mention Hudsonville, 2-1 over Class A No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian, 2-0 over Class C No. 4 Schoolcraft, 3-0 over Class A honorable mention Lowell.
Players to watch: Breanna Wickerink, 5-9 sr. MB (387 kills .479 hitting %, 106 blocks, 58 aces); Alivia Benedict, 5-9 sr. OH (285 kills, 61 aces, 73 blocks, 324 digs); Kayla Sauers, 5-5 sr. S (1,232 assists, 328 digs, 98 aces).
Finals forecast: Lakewood was last season’s Class B runner-up and has played in the championship match three of the last five seasons. Five seniors start; Wickerink made the all-state first team last season and Benedict made all-region, and they are joined as well up front by 6-2 freshman middle Aubrey O’Gorman (292 kills, .392 hitting percentage, 176 blocks). The Vikings have won 15 straight matches since falling to Class A No. 1 Rockford during the regular season, and have given up only three sets total during the run.
LIVONIA LADYWOOD
Record/rank: 23-5-1, unranked
Coach: Kathryn Chinavare, second season (35-14-3)
League finish: Tied for third in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Lower Peninsula Class A champion 1989 and 1988, runner-up 1990.
Best wins: 2-0 over honorable mention Ida, 3-2 over Class A honorable mention Fenton, 2-1 over Class C No. 10 Wixom St. Catherine, 3-0 over Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian Academy.
Players to watch: Monique Lamoureux, 5-3 jr. S (807 assists, 54 aces, 241 digs); Madison Benoit, 5-9 jr. OH/DS (238 kills, .372 hitting %, 280 digs); Madeline Hudson, 5-11 jr. MH (186 kills, .355 hitting %).
Finals forecast: Ladywood is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since back-to-back trips in 2009 and 2010, nearly doubling its wins from a year ago in this second season under former Livonia Franklin standout Chinavare. Ladywood navigated the Catholic League Central behind Class A semifinalists Marian and Mercy, with three of its five losses to those opponents and a fourth to Class C semifinalist St. Catherine. Benoit made the all-region team last season.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Record/rank: 62-2-2, No. 1
Coach: Betty Wroubel, 24th season (989-216-94)
League finish: Independent
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2013).
Best wins: 3-0 (Regional Final), 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 2 North Branch, 3-0 over No. 7 Marysville in the Regional Semifinal, 2-0 over No. 6 Marshall, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Cadillac, 2-0 over Class A No. 8 Clarkston, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention Midland, 2-1, 2-0 and 3-0 over Class A No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-1 over Class A No. 5 Lake Orion, 2-0 over Class A honorable mention Temperance Bedford, 3-0 over Class A No. 6 Farmington Hills Mercy, 2-0 over Class A No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian, 2-1 over Class C No. 1 Bronson, 2-0 over Class C No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 2-0 over Class C No. 4 Schoolcraft.
Players to watch: Madeline Chinn, 6-2 jr. OH (621 kills, .417 hitting %, 115 blocks, 77 aces); Gabrielle Shilling, 6-1 sr. MH (330 kills, .437 hitting %, 165 blocks); Natalie Risi, 6-0 jr. OH/S (431 kills, .340 hitting %, 162 aces, 422 digs).
Finals forecast: Notre Dame Prep’s resume speaks for itself. The only losses came to Class A Lake Orion and Farmington Hills Mercy, and both have been avenged. The Irish downed No. 2 North Branch in the Regional Final for the third time this season and have wins over eight top-10 teams in either Class A or B plus the top-ranked in Class C. Chinn made the all-state first team last season, while Risi made the second and Shilling earned an honorable mention. They are set by senior Lauren Burnick (1,072 assists) and entering the week also had gotten 122 blocks and 315 kills from 5-11 sophomore hitter Taylor Garrigan-Raiola. Total, Wroubel has more than 1,400 wins since starting her first coaching job in 1978-79 at Clawson. Chinn has committed to sign with Purdue, while Shilling will continue at Rhode Island, Risi will sign next year with Ball State and Burnick will play next at Lake Erie College.
Class C
BRONSON
Record/rank: 58-9-2, No. 1
Coach: Jean LaClair, 18th season (801-301-75)
League finish: First in Big 8 Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in the Quarterfinal, 3-2 over No. 4 Schoolcraft in the Regional Final, 3-0 over honorable mention Mendon in the District Final, 2-0 over Class B No. 4 Niles, 2-0 over Class B No. 6 Marshall, 2-0 over Class B honorable mention Buchanan.
Players to watch: Keona Salesman, 6-0 soph. OH (614 kills, .375 hitting %, 79 aces, 408 digs); Ashton Wronikowski, 5-11 jr. M (449 kills, .377 hitting %, 117 blocks, 90 aces); Kiana Mayer, 6-0 sr. S (1,656 assists, 125 blocks, 89 aces); Kiera Lasky, 5-5 jr. L (132 aces, 709 digs).
Finals forecast: Bronson has won the last two Class C championships and been ranked No. 1 this fall since the second poll was released at the end of August. Mayer and Lasky were all-state first teamers last season, while Wronikowski made the second and Salesman the third – and only two of the eight players in the regular rotation graduate after this season. The nine losses came against six Class A and three Class B opponents – and the Vikings have won 20 of their last 21 matches. Mayer was a Miss Volleyball candidate, and her assists heading into the week already ranked as the fourth-most for one season in MHSAA rally-scoring era history.
CALUMET
Record/rank: 44-6-2, No. 8
Coach: Matt Laho, first season (44-6-2)
League finish: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2008.
Best wins: 3-1 (District Semifinal), 3-2 and 2-1 over Houghton, 2-0 over Class D honorable mention Bellaire, 2-1 over Class B No. 5 Kingsley, 2-1 over Traverse City Central.
Players to watch: Lea Bjorn, 5-9 sr. OH (606 kills, 77 aces, 447 digs); Celia Kiilunen, 5-8 jr. OH (249 kills, 69 aces, 180 digs) Brea Johnson, 5-5 sr. S/RS (82 aces, 348 kills).
Finals forecast: Calumet is making its second straight trip to the Semifinals and this time under former assistant Laho, who took over for retiring Lisa Twardzik after last season. Bjorn was an all-region pick last season and has emerged as a force this fall, leading a team that has given up only one set in six postseason matches and 29 sets total this season while also taking a pair of losses to Class A honorable mention Midland and another to Class B honorable mention Cadillac. The Copper Kings have won 16 straight matches since falling to Class B No. 5 Kingsley in their second meeting this season (Calumet won the first).
LAINGSBURG
Record/rank: 40-17-3, honorable mention
Coach: Tennille Whitmore, 17th season (353-247-36)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Shelby in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 (Regional Semifinal), 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Saranac, 2-0 over honorable mention Pewamo-Westphalia, 3-2 over No. 3 Brighton Charyl Stockwell in the District Final, 2-1 over honorable mention Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 2-1 and 2-1 over Class D No. 6 Fowler, 2-0 and 2-0 over Class D honorable mention Muskegon Catholic Central, 3-0 over Corunna.
Players to watch: Maya Ferland, 6-0 sr. M (500 kills, .366 hitting %, 51 aces, 138 blocks, 488 digs); Alex Randall, 6-0 sr. M (350 kills, 55 aces, 105 blocks, 422 digs); Grace Gregg, 5-4 sr. S (850 assists, 272 digs).
Finals forecast: Laingsburg turned its third straight trip to the Quarterfinals into its first Semifinal berth and as one of two teams – joining Fowler in Class D – from the CMAC heading to Kellogg Arena. Ferland made the all-state first team last season in leading the Wolfpack on a run that ended with a loss to eventual champion Bronson. Senior 5-10 Sophie Strieff gives Laingsburg another big hitter; she had 355 kills plus a team-high 565 digs entering the week. The Wolfpack loaded the start of its schedule with a number of larger opponents and also took defeats this season to No. 9 Traverse City St. Francis and Class D No. 1 Plymouth Christian Academy.
WIXOM ST. CATHERINE
Record/rank: 40-5-2, No. 10
Coach: Malia Gabel, first season (40-5-2)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 6 Unionville-Sebewaing in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 over Madison Heights Bishop Foley in the Regional Semifinal, 3-0 over Livonia Ladywood, 3-0 over Livonia Clarenceville.
Players to watch: Emma Schlagheck, 5-10 jr. OPP (385 kills, .550 hitting %, 105 blocks); Payton Porter, 5-11 jr. OH (315 kills, .450 hitting %, 306 digs); Katie Grose, 5-9 jr. S (1,032 assists, 109 aces, 90 blocks).
Finals forecast: St. Catherine won its first Regional title last week after prepping during the regular season against a number of Class A and B opponents. The Stars also last week avenged their lone league loss to AA champion Bishop Foley, and Bishop Foley has been the only one of five postseason opponents to win a set on St. Catherine. Porter earned all-state honorable mention last season, and Grose also was all-region. Junior 5-10 Maryann Alexander has provided another big block in the middle with 170 stops entering the week.
Class D
FOWLER
Record/rank: 37-11-5, No. 6
Coach: Patty Feldpausch, ninth season (177-210-41)
League finish: Second in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Southfield Christian in the Quarterfinal, 2-0 and 2-0 over No. 10 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 3-2 over Class C honorable mention Saranac, 2-1 over Class C honorable mention Laingsburg, 3-1 and 2-0 over Class C honorable mention Pewamo-Westphalia.
Players to watch: Kennedy Koenigsknecht, 5-3 sr. S (904 assists, 59 aces, 205 digs); Sidney Horak, 5-7 sr. OH (259 kills, 370 digs); Brooklyn Witgen, 5-9 jr. M (265 kills, 91 blocks).
Finals forecast: Fowler will play in its first Semifinal after winning its second Quarterfinal appearance ever and first since 2003. Feldpausch – who led rival Pewamo-Westphalia to a Class C runner-up finish in 1994 and has 663 wins over 24 seasons – has brought the Eagles back after two straight sub-.500 finishes. In fact, they had only 12 wins a year ago. It’s an even more impressive turnaround considering Fowler came out of a CMAC that has a team in the Class C Semifinals and had two more earn honorable mentions in the final Class C rankings. Junior Marissa Snyder has provided more valuable hitting with 254 kills plus 361 digs entering the week.
MUNISING
Record/rank: 27-6-4, honorable mention
Coach: Ted Williams, seventh season (first of second tenure, record N/A)
League finish: Tied for first in Skyline Central Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 7 Rudyard in the Quarterfinal, 3-2 over Carney-Nadeau in the Regional Final, 3-0 over Eben Junction Superior Central in the District opener, 3-2 over Crystal Falls Forest Park.
Players to watch: Kianne Wendt, 5-9 sr. OH (350 kills, .453 kill %, 69 aces, 298 digs); Michaela Werner, 5-10 jr. MB (73 blocks, 47 aces); Emily Contreras, 5-6 jr. S (474 assists). (Statistics through Regional Semifinal.)
Finals forecast: Munising also is making its first Semifinal appearance after winning its first Regional title. The Mustangs have given up only three sets over six postseason matches, and avenged a late regular-season loss to Superior Central immediately to start District play. Wendt earned all-region last season and also gets hitting help from junior Daryn Johnson (196 kills). Williams returned the program this fall after previously coaching the varsity from 1999-2005.
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Record/rank: 43-8-3, No. 1
Coach: DJ Kellogg, third season (114-24-7)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class D champion 2016, runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 3 North Adams-Jerome in the Regional Final, 3-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Southfield Christian, 2-1 over Class A honorable mention Mattawan, 2-0 over Class C No. 3 Brighton Charyl Stockwell, 2-0 over Class C honorable mention Laingsburg.
Players to watch: Grace Kellogg, 5-9 sr. OH/DS (463 kills, .318 hitting %, 77 aces, 555 digs); Gabriella Kellogg, 5-9 soph. OH/DS (363 kills, 402 digs, 68 aces); Abigail Pray, 5-4 sr. S (875 assists, 60 aces).
Finals forecast: The reigning Class D champion has been ranked No. 1 all season long with Grace and Gabriella Kellogg and Pray also playing substantial roles last season – the Kelloggs led the team in kills and Pray led in assists in the championship match win. Grace Kellogg made the all-state first team, and Gabriella made the second. The Eagles also prepped this fall by testing themselves against some of the best in the state regardless of size, taking losses to Class A No. 2 Novi, No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian and No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian among others. Plymouth Christian has given up only one set during the playoffs, in Tuesday’s Quarterfinal to Battle Creek St. Philip.
ROGERS CITY
Record/rank: 38-8-3, No. 8
Coach: Jacqueline Quaine, 10th season (337-110-38)
League finish: First in North Star League
Championship history: Lower Peninsula Class C champion 1988, runner-up 1987. <