Block Party: 2025 Girls Volleyball Semifinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2025
The final countdown has begun for another highlight-filled MHSAA Girls Volleyball Finals weekend at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena, and we’ll follow suit:
In Division 4, the top-four ranked teams at the end of the regular season make up the Semifinals field, and three of those teams are seeking a first championship.
In Division 3, four of the top-eight ranked teams advanced to this weekend, and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central will play to repeat but with the field also including two contenders seeking to win for the first time.
In Division 2, we’re guaranteed a team playing in the championship match for the first time – Flat Rock and Fremont face off Friday for that opportunity – while Detroit Country Day also is seeking a repeat.
And in Division 1, four of the top-seven ranked teams advanced with two of those seeking first Finals titles, and Rockford aiming to finish this fall with just one loss and its first championship since 2011.
Action begins Thursday with Division 4 and 1 Semifinals, with Divisions 2 and 3 on Friday and all four title matches Saturday. Tickets cost $11 for both rounds, and one ticket is good for all four matches that day. All 12 matches also will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv. Find more information, including how to purchase tickets, on the Girls Volleyball page.
This weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 – Thursday
Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Byron Center, 4:30 p.m.
Bloomfield Hills vs. Rockford, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 - Friday
Detroit Country Day vs. Grand Rapids Christian, Noon
Fremont vs. Flat Rock, 2 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Kingsley, 4:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Christian vs. Saginaw Valley Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Thursday
Fowler vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park, Noon
Ubly vs. Mendon, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1, Noon
Division 2, 2:30 p.m.
Division 3, 4:30 p.m.
Division 4, 10 a.m.
Below is a glance at all four contenders in each division. (Statistics are through Regional Finals.)
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Record/rank: 42-6-1, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Brian Kim, first season (42-6-1)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Kayla Nwabueze, 6-0 sr. OH (664 kills, .378 hitting %, 319 digs); Brynn Wilcox, 5-7 jr. S (1,207 assists, 111 kills); Allison Stakoe, 5-10 soph. OH (391 kills, .308 hitting %, 71 aces, 297 digs).
Finals forecast: Nwabueze, a finalist for the state’s Miss Volleyball Award and all-state first-teamer last season, has led Bloomfield Hills on its longest postseason run – which has included its first Regional title. The Black Hawks own wins over No. 3 Farmington Hills Mercy, No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian, No. 5 South Lyon East and Division 2 No. 1 North Branch and No. 2 Detroit Country Day among other ranked opponents. Freshman middle Emily Nwabueze (227 kills, .337 hitting %) has quickly become another player to contend with at the net, and although Kayla Nwabueze will be a big loss after this season, she’s the only senior starter.
BYRON CENTER
Record/rank: 37-5-2, honorable mention
Michigan Power Rating: No. 7
Coach: Missy Ritz-Johnson, fourth season (120-42)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Green
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Mallory Johnson, 5-6 jr. OH (330 kills, 437 digs); Kenna Deters, 5-11 soph. MH (232 kills, .326 hitting %, 54 blocks); Raya Kooiker, 5-6 sr. S (482 assists, 224 digs).
Finals forecast: Byron Center will play in a Semifinal for the first time since 1993, when it was a Class C school. The Bulldogs have swept all five of their MHSAA Tournament matches and total are 23-1-2 since mid-September – with an Oct. 25 tie with Mercy, its next opponent. Mallory Johnson made the all-state first team last season as a libero, and she’s followed among hitters this fall by junior Caitlin Hartson with 279 kills plus a team-high 71 aces heading into the week. Junior Lele Froysland also has set the offense significantly and totaled a team-leading 488 assists. Byron Center should remain in the mix next season as well, as Kooiker and middle blocker Lainey VanTol are the team’s only senior starters.
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY
Record/rank: 40-5-3, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Loretta Vogel, 16th season (record N/A)
League finish: First in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), one runner-up finish.
Players to watch: Ella Andrews, 6-4 sr. MB (209 kills, .355 hitting %, 68 blocks); Kate Kalczynski, 6-1 jr. OH (471 kills, .314 hitting %, 257 digs); Kaelyn Easton, 5-9 fr. S (980 assists).
Finals forecast: Mercy is back at Battle Creek after ending last season with a Regional Semifinal loss to eventual champion Northville. The Marlins graduated 2024 Miss Volleyball Campbell Flynn and still brought back all-state first-teamer Andrews – a Miss Volleyball finalist this season – and second-teamer Kalczynski. Andrews and Cree Hollier (270 kills) are the only senior starters for another young team that no doubt is benefiting from the experience of this run. Mercy has defeated honorable mentions Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and South Lyon during the postseason, and Marian, Country Day, North Branch and No. 7 Utica Eisenhower among others on the way.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 46-1-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Kelly Delacher, 21st season (817-323-16)
League finish: First in O-K Red
Championship history: Class A champion 2011, three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Liv Hosford, 6-0 sr. OH (428 kills, .364 hitting %, 321 digs); Izzie Delacher, 5-10 sr. S (1,207 assists, 244 digs, 124 kills); Mallory Wandel, 6-1 jr. OH (56 kills, .315 hitting %, 298 digs).
Finals forecast: Delacher has had his share of dominating teams over a total of 31 years with 1,251 wins across three stops. But this one has to be comparable to all, as the Rams’ only loss was to No. 5 South Lyon East and they’ve defeated the other eight teams ranked in the Division 1 top 10. Hosford was a Miss Volleyball finalist and with Wandel made the all-state first team last season, while Izzie Delacher made the third team as the Rams finished Division 1 runner-up. The South Lyon East defeat came in two sets Sept. 20; otherwise, Rockford has lost just five more sets the entire season.
Division 2
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 27-9, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 9
Coach: Kim Lockhart, 11th season (283-110-16)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2024.
Players to watch: Elise Hiemstra, 6-0 sr. OH (391 kills, .321 hitting %, 60 aces); Payton Woodruff, 5-8 soph. S (836 assists, 54 aces); Leah Green, 5-11 jr. MH (193 kills, 72 blocks).
Finals forecast: Country Day has lost the first set twice during this tournament run but emerged to continue its repeat pursuit after winning its first championship a year ago. The Yellowjackets lost their first two sets to top-ranked North Branch in the Regional Final before coming all the way back. Hiemstra and Woodruff both made the all-state first team last season, and Hiemstra was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall. All nine of the team’s losses this year came to Division 1 opponents as Country Day saw several of the best and earned a big win over Bloomfield Hills heading into the postseason.
FLAT ROCK
Record/rank: 38-8, No. 10
Michigan Power Rating: No. 6
Coach: Morgan Delhey, first season (38-8)
League finish: Tied for first in Huron League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Sarah Giroux, 5-10 jr. OH (526 kills, .340 hitting %, 334 digs); Hannah Hesse, 5-6 jr. S/RS (708 assists, 242 digs); Lily Klein, 6-3 jr. M (252 kills, .336 hitting %, 69 blocks).
Finals forecast: Flat Rock put itself on the map this season with a five-set win over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on Sept. 22, and ended up sweeping the Kestrels this fall on the way to sharing the league title. The Rams were swept by Milan, but then defeated Milan to clinch the program’s first Regional title. Giroux earned an all-state honorable mention last season and leads an all-junior starting lineup. Junior outside hitter Reagan Higdon has been another significant contributor with 252 kills, 105 aces and 313 digs.
FREMONT
Record/rank: 38-13, unranked
Michigan Power Rating: No. 48
Coach: Chris Bruggema, fourth season (151-61-5)
League finish: Tied for first in West Michigan Conference Lakes
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Hallie Snyder, 5-9 sr. OH (282 kills, 175 digs); Taylor DeKuiper, 5-9 jr. MB (268 kills, .334 hitting %, 69 blocks); Brynna Barnhart, 5-8 sr. S (807 assists, 265 digs, 68 aces).
Finals forecast: Fremont also has advanced farther than any other team in program history, thanks to winning its Regional Final and Quarterfinal both in five sets. The Regional title was the program’s first and came as the Packers avenged a regular-season loss to Fruitport, and Fremont’s league championship share was a result of avenging a five-set loss to Ludington with a league tournament sweep four days later. Sophomore Ava Geers (229 kills) is another key hitter, and senior libero Grace Evans has paced the defense with 652 digs – to go with a team-high 86 aces – heading into this week.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 36-9, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Amy Huisken, fifth season (160-58-2)
League finish: Tied for first in O-K White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Players to watch: Grace Goodyke, 6-0 jr. OH (510 kills, .338 hitting %); Piper Cebulski, 6-2 jr. S/RS (491 assists, .318 hitting %, 102 kills); Mya McKinnon, 6-1 soph. MB (301 kills, .441 hitting %, 92 blocks).
Finals forecast: Grand Rapids Christian held on through a five-set Quarterfinal with No. 6 Tecumseh to reach the Semifinals for the fifth time in seven seasons but after missing a year ago. Goodyke made the all-state second team and Cebulski made the third last season, and they pace a lineup that also defeated No. 4 Grand Rapids Catholic Central, No. 5 Holland Christian and No. 8 Grand Rapids South Christian during this postseason run. All of the Eagles’ losses came to ranked or honorable mention Division 1 teams. Junior Taylor Frost (537 assists) joins Cebulski in setting the attack.
Division 3
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 29-11-3, No. 8
Michigan Power Rating: No. 12
Coach: Carlie Southland, fourth season (136-31-11)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Reagan Zuiderveen, 5-10 sr. S (966 assists, 52 aces, 51 blocks, 307 digs, 122 kills); Eliana Keller, 5-10 jr. OH (333 kills); Elliana VanDusen, 6-0 jr. OH (418 kills).
Finals forecast: Kalamazoo Christian is making a fourth-straight trip to the Semifinals and just missed playing for the championship last year, falling to Traverse City St. Francis in five sets. Zuiderveen made the all-state third team, and this fall has directed the offense but done some of everything else as well while one of only three seniors. Another, 6-foot middle blocker Maya Gaertner, was third on the team with 174 kills entering this week and topped the Comets with 95 blocks. A four-set Quarterfinal win over Pewamo-Westphalia followed a season-opening tournament split with the No. 9 Pirates.
KINGSLEY
Record/rank: 55-4-1, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Dave Hall, 27th season (1,228-289-100)
League finish: First in Northern Shores Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2004.
Players to watch: Jenna Middleton, 5-10 jr. OH (669 kills, .305 hitting %, 67 aces, 376 digs); Sarah Wooer, 5-4 sr. S (1,428 assists); Delaney Case, 5-9 jr. MH (259 kills, .361 hitting %, 74 blocks).
Finals forecast: Hall ranks 10th on the all-time coaching wins list for this sport, and he’s bringing Kingsley to the Semifinals for the first time since 2019. Wooer is moving up the MHSAA record book list for single-season assists, and she and libero Isabelle Seitz (604 digs, 63 aces) are the only senior starters. The Stags’ only Division 3 losses this season were a pair to top-ranked Roscommon, and Kingsley avenged them with a Regional Semifinal sweep. Junior outside hitter Aizlyn McKinley has been another key contributor in several ways, with 295 kills, 528 digs and 116 aces heading into this week.
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 36-5-1, No. 5
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Kim Windham, second season (78-9-2)
League finish: Tied for first in Huron League
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Olivia Beaudrie, 5-6 sr. MH (176 kills, 169 digs, 46 blocks); Alexa Turner, 5-9 jr. S (632 assists, 294 digs); Madeline Dettling, 6-0 sr. OH (221 kills, .325 hitting %, 211 digs).
Finals forecast: Windham took over her alma mater last season and immediate led the Kestrels to their eighth Finals championship, and she’s guided them back to Battle Creek with postseason wins over No. 4 Hanover-Horton in the Regional Final and No. 2 Plymouth Christian Academy on Tuesday. Dettling made the all-state second team last season and Beaudrie earned an honorable mention, and they’re part of a balanced lineup that also saw senior outside hitter Adela Illes enter the week with a team-leading 274 kills and senior middle hitter Quinn Harrington second at 251. All four losses came to teams in Divisions 1 and 2.
SAGINAW VALLEY LUTHERAN
Record/rank: 51-10-3, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 8
Coach: Jon Frank, 20th season (699-286-83)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Kate Belt, 5-10 jr. S (1,271 assists, 337 digs); Reagan Webb, 5-7 jr. OH (422 kills, 302 digs, 73 aces); Braelin Rodammer, 5-10 soph. OH (453 kills).
Finals forecast: Valley Lutheran has won Regional titles five of the last seven seasons, and this time without a senior in the lineup. The Chargers played several ranked and larger opponents during the regular season and avenged three of their defeats – with an opportunity to avenge two more if they meet Kingsley in this weekend’s championship match. They also haven’t lost a set during the postseason. Sophomore Grace Parker (312 kills, 89 blocks) has been another major contributor at the net, and juniors Hayden Sherman (648 digs, 52 aces) and Elsie Hultberg (357/74) help pace the defense.
Division 4
CRYSTAL FALLS FOREST PARK
Record/rank: 42-1, No. 4
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Bobbie Jo Anderson, sixth season (152-31-6)
League finish: First in Skyline Central Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ava Fischer, 5-7 sr. OH (467 kills, .350 hitting %, 351 digs, 56 aces); Elsie Williams, 5-5 sr. OH/S (502 assists, .340 hitting %, 196 kills, 55 aces, 286 digs); Harper Anderson, 5-6 soph. OH (132 kills, 89 aces, 236 digs).
Finals forecast: Forest Park avenged a 2024 Regional loss to No. 10 Hancock to return to the Semifinals for the third time in four seasons. Fischer made the all-state third team last season and joins Williams as the only seniors on the roster; both have been part of all three trips to Battle Creek. The Trojans’ run through the Upper Peninsula this fall included wins over Division 2 honorable mention Kingsford and Division 3 honorable mention Calumet as well, and the only loss came during a season-opening trip downstate as Forest Park split matches with Division 3 semifinalist Valley Lutheran. Junior setter Vienna Price (444 assists) joins Williams in directing the offense, and freshman middle Josie Anderson (188 kills) is another key hitter.
FOWLER
Record/rank: 34-8-2, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 3
Coach: Patty Feldpausch, 17th season (400-325-59)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 2017.
Players to watch: Rachel Wirth, 5-6 sr. L (550 digs, 57 aces); Neelah O’Rourke, 5-10 sr. S (902 assists, 206 digs, 58 aces, 132 kills); Paige Thelen, 5-10 sr. OH (440 kills).
Finals forecast: Fowler is making its first trip to the Semifinals since 2017 and after winning a Regional title for the first time since 2020 – and a second-straight league championship thanks in part to a sweep of Division 3 No. 9 Pewamo-Westphalia. Thelen made the all-state first team last season, and Wirth made the second, as the Eagles were stopped in 2024 by eventual champion Clarkston Everest Collegiate. Fowler avenged one of three losses to Division 4 teams this season, downing No. 5 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the Regional Final, and can avenge two more if it meets No. 3 Ubly on Saturday.
MENDON
Record/rank: 37-6-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 6
Coach: Kenneth Herbert, fourth season (120-25-7)
League finish: First in Southern Central Athletic Association West and overall
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2019).
Players to watch: Jadyn Samson, 5-4 sr. L (566 digs, 75 aces); Cienna Nightingale, 5-9 sr. RS (335 kills, 288 digs); Gracie Schultz, 5-5 sr. OH (449 kills, 81 aces, 354 digs).
Finals forecast: Mendon is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since its most recent championship season in 2019, and after winning league and District titles both for the third-straight seasons. Samson made the all-state first team and Schultz and Nightingale made the third a year ago, and they’ve helped the Hornets make a run that’s seen their only losses to Division 1 and 3 opponents. Junior Karyssa Holtz (919 assists, 82 aces, 237 digs) sets an attack that also features 5-9 freshman middle Lashell Blair (204 kills, 62 blocks).
UBLY
Record/rank: 30-10-4, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 16
Coach: Rachel Sorenson, second season (67-18-4)
League finish: First in Big Thumb Conference Black
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2007 (Fall).
Players to watch: Addison Weber, 5-7 sr. OH (240 kills, 291 digs, 56 aces); Sadi Heleski, 5-8 sr. S (986 assists, 190 digs); Waverly Hagen, 6-1 jr. MB (425 kills, .332 hitting %, 66 blocks).
Finals forecast: After a fifth trip to the Quarterfinals over the last seven seasons, Ubly has broken through to reach its first Semifinals since the fall of 2007, and with a starting lineup with Sophi Heleski (170 kills, 62 aces) joining twin sister Sadi and libero Suzanne Smigielski (527 digs, 56 aces) as the only seniors. Weber earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and she and Hagen also get significant help at the net from 5-9 sophomore middle Brooke Badger (178 kills, 71 blocks). Ubly didn’t lose to a Division 4 opponent this season, and avenged its defeat against Division 3 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian three weeks later.
PHOTOS (Top) Farmington Hills Mercy's Kate Kalczynski (2) and Ella Andrews put up a block during a Regional Final win over South Lyon. (Middle) Country Day's Leah Green (14) sends a kill attempt toward a North Branch block during the Yellowjackets' Regional Final win. (Mercy/South Lyon photo by KMS Photography. Country Day/North Branch photo by Terry Lyons.)
Preview: Kellogg Arena to Set Stage Again for 16 Historic Opportunities
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2024
An opportunity to play this Finals weekend at Kellogg Arena, much less win a championship, will be historic for all 16 volleyball teams taking the court.
But there are a few storylines that especially pop out as we head into Thursday’s first matches.
In Division 4, Clarkston Everest Collegiate is playing for a repeat – and to become the first undefeated champion since Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard in Class B in 2015.
In Division 3, all four semifinalists are back from a year ago – but this time the bracket features a rematch of last year’s title decider, with reigning champion Kalamazoo Christian taking on Traverse City St. Francis.
In Division 2, two teams are making their first trips to the Semifinals, and we are guaranteed a first-time champion – in fact, out of 16 teams total over the four divisions, 10 are playing for a first Finals title this weekend. Among those as well is Northville in Division 1, which finished runner-up two seasons ago.
Action begins Thursday with Division 1 and 4 Semifinals, with Divisions 3 and 2 on Friday and all four title matches Saturday. Tickets cost $11 for both rounds, and one ticket is good for all four matches that day. All 12 matches also will be broadcast on MHSAA.tv. Find more information, including how to purchase tickets, on the Volleyball page.
This weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 – Thursday
Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Northville, 4:30 p.m.
Rockford vs. Fenton, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 - Friday
Tecumseh vs. Essexville Garber, 4:30 p.m.
Battle Creek Harper Creek vs. Detroit Country Day, 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Cass City, Noon
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Kalamazoo Christian, 2 p.m.
Division 4 – Thursday
Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. Hancock, Noon
St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1, Noon
Division 2, 4:30 p.m.
Division 3, 2:30 p.m.
Division 4, 10 a.m.
Below is a glance at contenders in each division. (Statistics are through Regional Finals.)
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS MARIAN
Record/rank: 46-7, No. 4
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Mayssa Cook, seventh season (315-41-2)
League finish: Second in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), six runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Allie Davison, 5-11 jr. S/RS (948 assists, 240 digs); Sophia Smith, 6-2 soph. RS (266 kills, 67 blocks, 207 digs); Isabelle Busignani, 6-1 sr. OH (548 kills, .304 hitting %, 276 digs).
Finals forecast: After winning three straight Division 1 championships from 2020-22, Marian was stopped by rival Farmington Hills Mercy in the Quarterfinals last year – but has returned to Battle Creek with wins over No. 5 Clarkston and No. 7 Utica Eisenhower among others during this run. The win over Eisenhower avenged a pair of regular-season losses, and the other defeats also all came against top-10 teams in Division 1 – as did four regular-season wins. Busignani made the all-state first team last season, and sophomore outside hitter Calli LeFevre (172 kills) made the third team. Busignani has committed to continue at Cincinnati and was a candidate for the Miss Volleyball Award.
FENTON
Record/rank: 37-4, honorable mention
Michigan Power Rating: No. 8
Coach: Jenna Long, fifth season (137-42-9)
League finish: First in Flint Metro League Stripes and overall
Championship history: Three Class B runner-up finishes (most recent 1992).
Players to watch: Eva Long, 5-11 jr. S (784 assists, 205 kills, .365 hitting %, 238 digs); Megan Gornick, 6-1 sr. MH (222 kills, .439 hitting %, 89 blocks); Anna Logan, 5-8 sr. OH (269 kills).
Finals forecast: Fenton will play in its first Semifinal since 2016 coming off a repeat league title and first District and Regional championships under Jenna Long’s leadership. The Tigers’ only losses this fall were to Mercy, Northville twice and Country Day, and Fenton otherwise has given up only five more sets all season. One of several sweeps came over honorable mention Brighton in the District Final. Eva Long earned an all-state honorable mention last season. Junior middle Marley Pihlstrom (191 kills, 54 blocks) is another key contributor at the net.
NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 39-2, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Sarah Lindstrom, fourth season (182-14)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Players to watch: Molly Reck, 6-0 sr. OH (9.2 kills per game, .327 hitting %, 2.1 aces per game, 7.0 digs per game); Ella Craggs, 5-10 sr. S (23.6 assists per game, .387 hitting %, 8.4 digs per game); Mallory Reck, 6-0 sr. OH (10 kills per game, 7.7 digs per game).
Finals forecast: Northville’s run over the last four seasons has included league, District and Regional titles all four years, and Craggs set for the 2022 runner-up team while the Reck twins were contributors and now-junior libero Giselle Burlingame also saw the floor. Craggs made the all-state first team last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate, and Molly Reck earned an all-state honorable mention in 2023. Molly Reck signed with Oakland, Mallory Reck signed with Marist (N.Y.), and Craggs will continue at Illinois State. Northville has lost only nine sets all season and eliminated top-ranked Mercy in the Regional Semifinal, with the lone losses to No. 5 Clarkston and No. 8 Jenison.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 39-9, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 3
Coach: Kelly Delacher, 20th season (769-321-15)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Class A champion 2011, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Mallory Wandel, 6-1 soph OH (493 kills, 224 digs); Isabella Delacher, 5-9 jr. S (922 assists, 231 digs, 117 kills); Olivia Hosford, 6-0 j. OH (464 kills, 386 digs).
Finals forecast: After winning its third Regional title in four seasons, Rockford is back at Battle Creek for the first time since finishing Division 1 runner-up in 2018. The Rams defeated No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, No. 8 Jenison, No. 10 Grand Rapids Northview and honorable mention Traverse City Central over their last four matches to advance – with the Jenison win avenging a pair of regular-season losses. Seven of Rockford’s nine defeats came to top-10 teams in Division 1, and an eighth came to a top-10 team in Division 2. Hosford made the all-state second team last season.
Division 2
BATTLE CREEK HARPER CREEK
Record/rank: 52-4, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 2
Coach: Terra King, 19th season (563-385-80)
League finish: First in Interstate 8 Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cassidy Pratley, 6-1 sr. MB (719 kills, .392 hitting %, 110 blocks, 206 digs); Taegen Anderson, 5-9 jr. S (1,391 assists, 72 aces); Camille Robinson, 5-9 soph. OH (500 kills, 70 aces, 325 digs).
Finals forecast: After playing in Division 1 the last two seasons – and winning a District title a year ago – Harper Creek moved back into Division 2 this fall and advanced to its first Semifinals since 2015. Pratley made the Division 1 all-state third team last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate this fall, and she has signed with Western Michigan. The Beavers defeated No. 6 Grand Rapids South Christian on Tuesday to reach this weekend, and their only losses were to Division 1 teams – and Harper Creek also owns wins over No. 8 Lake Odessa Lakewood, No. 9 Hudsonville Unity Christian and Division 1 No. 8 Jenison.
DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 34-1, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 6
Coach: Kim Lockhart, 10th season (254-101-16)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Elise Heimstra, 6-0 jr. OH (320 kills, .308 hitting %, 86 aces, 226 digs); Olivia Grenadier, 6-1 sr. MH (378 kills, .478 hitting %, 245 digs); Payton Woodruff, 5-8 fr. S (890 assists).
Finals forecast: After winning its first Regional title in this sport three years ago, Country Day is making its first trip to the Semifinals and has been considered among championship favorites all season. The Yellowjackets defeated No. 4 North Branch and honorable mentions Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Richmond during this tournament run, and their only loss came to Mercy during a season-opening quad. Grenadier earned an all-state honorable mention last season and was a Miss Volleyball Award candidate, and she’s signed with Colorado.
ESSEXVILLE GARBER
Record/rank: 43-12-2, honorable mention
Michigan Power Rating: No. 17
Coach: Kim Kokaly, 11th season (383-162-30)
League finish: Third in Tri-Valley Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Audrey Ball, 5-11 sr. MB (492 kills, 93 blocks, 583 digs); Ella Kokaly, 5-6 jr. S (1,233 assists, 91 aces, 326 digs); Jeana Lenhard, 6-0 soph. OH (699 kills, .311 hitting %, 75 aces, 351 digs).
Finals forecast: Garber emerged from a league that included Division 2 honorable mentions Freeland and Frankenmuth, later defeated Freeland in a District Final and Tuesday swept honorable mention Fruitport to earn a trip to the Semifinals for the first time. The Dukes have won 12 straight matches and are 17-2-1 since the start of October. Lenhard made the all-state third team last season and adds a sophomore to a starting lineup with two seniors and one player from all four classes. Senior libero Rylee Jatczak (470 digs) is another important defender.
TECUMSEH
Record/rank: 56-2-1, No. 7
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Morgan Skelton, fourth season (153-47-9)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Championship history: Class B runner-up 2011.
Players to watch: Maddy Vanblack, 5-11 jr. OH/DS (337 kills, 68 aces, 309 digs); Lily Gnodtke, 5-7 jr. S (1,186 assists); Emma Eldred 5-11 jr. OH/MB (524 kills, 250 digs).
Finals forecast: Tecumseh won a third-straight league championship this season before beginning the program’s longest tournament run since the 2011 runner-up finish. The only losses this fall came to Dexter and Division 3 top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and the former was avenged a week later. The starting lineup includes five juniors, with the lone senior middle Lauren Kilbarger (201 kills, 83 blocks). Senior Alli Zajac – who has signed to play basketball at Eastern Michigan – adds another 6-2 presence in the middle and entering the week had added 300 kills and 105 blocks.
Division 3
CASS CITY
Record/rank: 37-9-1, No. 5
Michigan Power Rating: No. 8
Coach: Amy Cuthrell, ninth season (209-64-15)
League finish: First in Big Thumb Conference White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Isabelle Phillips, 5-7 sr. S (656 assists, 253 digs); Kacee Gray, 5-8 sr. OH/DS (412 kills, 344 digs); Shelby Ignash, 6-1 sr. M/DS (451 kills, .305 hitting %, 81 blocks, 353 digs).
Finals forecast: Cass City has reached the Semifinals for the third-straight season and will attempt to take another step with five seniors anchoring the starting lineup including Miss Volleyball Award candidate Ignash. She made the all-state first team last season, and Gray made the third. Another of those seniors, Lexi Champagne, entered the week with 234 kills, 57 aces and 241 digs. Six of the nine losses this fall came to teams ranked or honorable mentions in Divisions 1 and 2, with the only loss to a team in Division 3 or 4 coming against potential championship match opponent Kalamazoo Christian – and Cass City also defeated K-Christian during tournament play that day.
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 31-8-2, No. 3
Michigan Power Rating: No. 4
Coach: Carlie Southland, third season (110-20-8)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2023, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Reagan Zuiderveen, 5-8 jr. S (998 assists, 294 digs); Hayden Deming, 5-11 sr. OH (301 kills, 67 aces); Annelise de Jong, 6-0 sr. OH (493 kills, .326 hitting %, 63 aces, 322 digs).
Finals forecast: Kalamazoo Christian graduated three players who earned all-state recognition during last season’s championship run, but is right back at the Semifinals for the third-straight year after also finishing Division 3 runner-up in 2022. Deming and de Jong were in the starting lineup for last year’s Final, and they’ve taken top hitting roles for a team that’s won 10 of its last 11 matches. Only two losses this fall came against opponents in Division 3 or 4, including one in the split with Cass City noted above. Sophomore hitter Elliana VanDusen had added another 220 kills entering the week.
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 37-4-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Kim Windham, first season (37-4-1)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Seven MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jessica Costlow, 5-11 sr. OH (469 kills, .405 hitting %, 381 digs); McKenna Payne, 5-7 sr. S/RS (330 assists, 163 kills, 224 digs); Madeline Dettling, 6-0 jr. OH (217 kills, 290 digs).
Finals forecast: Make it five Semifinals trips in six seasons for the Kestrels, this time returning its top three players from a year ago with Costlow and Payne coming off all-state first-team selections and Dettling making the second team in 2023. Costlow and Payne also were Miss Volleyball Award candidates this fall; Costlow will continue at Illinois State, and Payne has signed with Utah. SMCC hasn’t lost a set over five tournament matches, including a sweep of No. 2 Plymouth Christian Academy in the Regional Final. The only losses were to top-10 or honorable mention Division 1 teams, and the Kestrels have wins over Division 1 No. 3 Forest Hills Northern and No. 7 Eisenhower. Sophomore Alexa Turner had a team-leading 662 assists heading into the week.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 34-12-3, No. 6
Michigan Power Rating: No. 3
Coach: Kathleen Nance, sixth season (173-79-10)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2023, Class C runner-up 2012.
Players to watch: Quinn Yenshaw, 6-0 jr. OH (463 kills, 91 aces, 302 digs); Reese Jones, 5-4 jr. S (655 assists, 274 digs); Avery Nance, 5-4 sr. L (101 aces, 530 digs).
Finals forecast: Last season’s runner-up is back with four starters and the libero from last season’s championship match lineup, with Avery Nance a returning all-state first-team selection and Yenshaw a third-teamer. Nance is the only senior in this season’s starting lineup as the Gladiators advanced with wins over No. 7 Elk Rapids in the District Final, No. 4 Calumet in the Regional Final and honorable mention Roscommon in the Quarterfinal. The subs are super, as senior Landry Fouch is second on the team with 246 kills, and senior Tessah Konas had 529 assists entering the week.
Division 4
CLARKSTON EVEREST COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 36-0-1, No. 1
Michigan Power Rating: No. 1
Coach: Danielle Walker, second season (67-4-3)
League finish: First in CHSL Intersectional #2
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2023.
Players to watch: Sarah Bradley, 6-0 sr. OH (394 kills, .345 hitting %, 104 aces, 213 digs); Erica Walker, sr. S/RS (828 assists); Madelyn Krappmann, 5-10 jr. OH (337 kills, .300 hitting %, 214 digs).
Finals forecast: A year after entering Finals weekend as the lowest-ranked of four remaining contenders and coming away with the program’s first title, Everest has been nearly perfect in its encore. Only a split with Division 2 No. 4 North Branch has kept the Mountaineers from a flawless record, and their tournament sweeps of No. 4 Fowler and No. 9 Ubly are part of a run of nine straight as Everest has lost only five sets all season. The entire starting lineup and seven of eight players who saw action for all five sets in last year’s Final are back this weekend. Bradley and Krappmann both made the all-state first team last season, and Bradley is committed to continue at Calvin University.
HANCOCK
Record/rank: 25-6-2, unranked
Michigan Power Rating: No. 5
Coach: Brian Lamppa, first season (25-6-2)
League finish: Second in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Brooke Koskela, 5-7 sr. OH (385 kills, 100 aces, 320 digs); Emily L’Esperance, sr. S (542 assists); Alice Larson, jr DS (66 aces, 170 digs).
Finals forecast: After previously playing in Division 3, Hancock moved into Division 4 this fall and is making its first trip to the Semifinals after winning its first Regional title since 2009. Lamppa took over the program with more than two decades of college coaching experience including at the Division I level and after serving as head coach most recently at Finlandia. The Bulldogs stunned No. 5 Crystal Falls Forst Park in the Regional Final, avenging a September tournament sweep, and they’ve won 20 of their last 22 matches.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 42-4-2, No. 2
Michigan Power Rating: No. 4
Coach: Krista Davis, 11th season (363-129-46)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2022.
Players to watch: Sophie Hauck, 5-7 sr. S (808 assists, 112 kills, .319 hitting %); Erin Judge, 5-10 sr. MH (304 kills, .314 hitting %, 63 blocks); Chelsea Lynch, 5-8 sr. OH (216 kills, 434 digs).
Finals forecast: Sacred Heart has reached at least the Quarterfinals the last four seasons, and now the Semifinals three of the last four. The Irish have won 12 straight matches, with all of their losses and one of their two ties to Division 2 or 3 teams. Hauck made the all-state second team and Judge the third team last year, and Hauck and Lynch both started for the 2022 championship team. Sophomore outside hitter Karis Terwilliger added 153 kills heading into this week, and junior libero Isabel Rookard (546 digs, 64 aces) keys the defense.
ST. JOSEPH OUR LADY OF THE LAKE
Record/rank: 32-3-1, No. 8
Michigan Power Rating: No. 15
Coach: Erin Cashen, second season (57-11-4)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Nora Proos, 5-10 sr. MH/OH (449 kills, 101 aces, 370 digs); Rachel Kalamaros, 5-8 sr. MB/OH (244 kills, 85 aces, 377 digs); Aislin Sargent, 5-5 sr. S (1,070 assists, 75 aces, 238 digs).
Finals forecast: Our Lady has reached the Quarterfinals twice in Cashen’s two seasons, winning the first two Regional titles in program history, and now has reached the Semifinals for the first time as well. The team has just seven players – five seniors and two eighth graders (allowed because of the school’s small enrollment). The Lakers defeated No. 7 Wyoming Tri-unity Christian and No. 10 Concord during this tournament run. Proos made the all-state third team last season. Senior Jojo Marsh is another valuable hitter with 295 kills entering this week, as well as 109 aces and 323 digs.
PHOTO Fenton's Eva Long (2) sets during Tuesday's Division 1 Quarterfinal, as Battle Creek Lakeview's Karlee Gutsue (14) and her teammates anticipate the next hit. (Photo by John Johnson.)