Block Party: 2026 Girls Volleyball District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 2, 2026
Girls Volleyball District Tournaments begin tonight with 176 matches across the state, and this week will conclude with 128 champions advancing to Regional play as we take a first giant step toward eventually ending up at Finals weekend Nov. 19-21 at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
Below is a look at a few final regular-season results of note and glances at three Districts in each division that could be especially notable as postseason progresses. Links to interactive brackets for all four divisions plus information on purchasing tickets are 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.
Records, results and schedules below are those posted for teams on MHSAA.com, and rankings reflect the latest polls posted by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA).
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Marshall d. Edwardsburg (28-26, 25-15) Division 2 honorable mention Marshall (29-13-1) finished 2-1 at its quad, but this win was most significant as the No. 7 Eddies (27-6) also are highly regarded in that division.
2. Cass City d. Traverse City St. Francis (27-25, 18-25, 25-16) Although Division 3 No. 10 Cass City (27-8-5) fell to host Kingsley at the Stags quad, this win over the No. 5 Gladiators (27-17-2) is significant heading into the Division 3 postseason.
3. Flat Rock d. South Lyon (13-25, 27-25, 25-20) The Division 2 honorable mention Rams (26-9-1) came back after losing the first set to pick up some momentum for the postseason with this win over the Division 1 honorable mention Lions (27-17-2).
4. Edwardsburg d. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (35-33, 27-25) The No. 7 Eddies (27-6) had to go the extra mile in both sets to get past the Division 1 honorable mention Eaglets (16-15-3).
5. Portage Northern d. Battle Creek St. Philip (3-0, scores N/A) The Huskies (24-11-4) won both of their matches at the Coldwater mini, sweeping the Division 4 No. 4 Tigers (29-13-4) and Mendon.
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
Greenville
#1 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (34-13-1), #2 Lowell (29-17), Rockford (16-21), Greenville (26-7-1), Grand Rapids Northview (10-19), Cedar Springs (5-26-2).
Forest Hills Northern entered last week ranked No. 7 and Lowell No. 9, and if they meet in Saturday’s District Final it will be their first matchup of the fall – although both have played most of the rest of the best in Division 1 this season. To reach Saturday, FHN will face the winner of Cedar Springs and Greenville, while Lowell will take on the winner of Northview and Rockford. The Rams could present an intriguing challenge – all but three of their losses came to ranked or honorable mention teams in Divisions 1 and 2.
Mount Pleasant
#1 Midland Dow (40-8-5), #2 Traverse City Central (30-5-1), Mount Pleasant (31-15-2), Cadillac (31-12-1), Traverse City West (18-15).
None of these teams were ranked heading into the final week of the regular season, but all finished with winning records and Dow has several wins over teams ranked in Divisions 2 and 3. That said, a notable result to recall was Dow’s five-set win over Mount Pleasant on Sept. 17 that came down to 16-14 in the decider. They would see each other in a Wednesday District Semifinal, while Big North Conference rivals Central and Cadillac are lined up on the other side of the bracket that day and Central entering with a regular-season sweep of that series. If seeds play out and they meet again, Dow and Central played to a draw at Mount Pleasant’s invitational Sept. 19.
Romeo
#1 Utica Eisenhower (39-4), #2 Port Huron Northern (26-5), Romeo (15-11-1), Port Huron (28-3), New Baltimore Anchor Bay (20-20-1).
The No. 5-ranked Eagles are 3-1 this season against No. 10 Romeo and would see the Bulldogs in a Wednesday District Semifinal, and Romeo might be eager having won their most recent matchup Oct. 17. But Romeo also can’t look past Port Huron tonight; the Red Hawks have won 11 straight matches with a three-set sweep of Port Huron Northern in that mix. Notable on the other side of the bracket, one of Northern’s few other losses came to Anchor Bay early this fall. Northern won the rematch Oct. 24, and they face off Wednesday.
DIVISION 2
Hopkins
#1 Holland Christian (20-10-1), #2 Grand Rapids South Christian (26-7), Hamilton (22-9), Hudsonville Unity Christian (15-20-1), Hopkins (23-16-2), Wayland (12-19-2).
Holland Christian entered the final week of the regular season an honorable mention in Division 2, and South Christian was ranked No. 9 – and the Sailors won their lone meeting 2-1 on Sept. 1. To earn a rematch, Holland Christian will have to face a league rival, either Hamilton or Unity Christian, and is 2-0 against both. Hopkins is an intriguing contender on South’s side of the bracket; the Vikings have won 12 of their last 14 matches but did fall to tonight’s opponent Wayland in their only meeting this fall.
Parma Western
#1 Parma Western (47-1), #2 Marshall (29-13-1), Three Rivers (23-13-6), Vicksburg (22-17), Battle Creek Pennfield (26-13-1).
The Interstate 8 Athletic Conference was one of the state’s deeper leagues this season, and No. 3 Western, honorable mention Marshall and Pennfield were among reasons why. Western’s only loss came 2-1 to Portage Central on Oct. 24, but it’s also important to note that the Panthers’ lone match against Marshall, on Sept. 23, went five sets. Marshall has wins over Pennfield and Vicksburg and sees the former Wednesday, and Vicksburg opens tonight against Wolverine Conference foe Three Rivers having won their regular-season match in four sets.
Macomb Lutheran North
#1 Macomb Lutheran North (37-3), #2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (28-17-6), Armada (10-27-1), Madison Heights Lamphere (18-9-1).
No. 6-ranked Lutheran North has enjoyed a fantastic campaign this fall, with its few losses to Division 1 Port Huron Northern and Division 2 No. 2 Detroit Country Day and No. 5 North Branch. The Mustangs have defeated this week’s first opponent Armada twice but haven’t seen the other two contenders in this bracket. Notre Dame Prep and Lamphere also will be facing each other for the first time, NDP on an 11-2-1 run and Lamphere 10-2-1 over its last 13 matches.
DIVISION 3
Clinton
#1 Grass Lake (27-5-3), Clinton (37-9-1), Manchester (13-22-4), Whitmore Lake (8-13), Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (4-16).
Grass Lake is ranked No. 6 and Clinton is No. 7 in Division 3, and they faced off just once, Oct. 22, with Clinton winning the first set but Grass Lake winning the next two 25-22 and then 31-29. Both were eliminated last season by Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, Clinton in SMCC’s District and Grass Lake in a Regional matchup, and the winner this week could very well be earning the opportunity to potentially see SMCC again in next week’s Regional at Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
Mancelona
#1 Traverse City St. Francis (27-17-2), #2 Elk Rapids (17-10-3), Johannesburg-Lewiston (30-5-9), Maple City Glen Lake (18-13-2), Mancelona (15-15-1), Grand Traverse Academy (1-16).
St. Francis is the only ranked contender in this bracket at No. 5, but there are plenty of teams to push the Gladiators as they seek a fourth-straight District title. Elk Rapids won their Sept. 17 match in five sets before St. Francis won the rematch in a sweep two weeks later. The Elks will play for another opportunity but sit on the same side of this bracket with Glen Lake and Johannesburg-Lewiston; those two face off tonight, and Elk Rapids’ lone match against either was a five-set win over Glen Lake just last week.
McBain
#1 Manton (27-12-1), #2 McBain (23-16-2), Lake City (21-19-3), LeRoy Pine River (19-20-1), Evart (4-24).
Manton and McBain are both honorable mentions in the most recent Division 3 coaches poll, and all five of these teams play in a Highland Conference that also includes top-ranked Roscommon and another honorable mention in Beal City. McBain won the lone meeting this season with Manton, just last Tuesday, in four sets after Manton won the first. Those two both went undefeated against the other three teams in this bracket, but with familiarity abounding it will be intriguing to see if one of those three can shake things up.
DIVISION 4
Baraga
#1 Hancock (28-2-1), #2 Baraga (26-1), Lake Linden-Hubbell (16-6), Dollar Bay (13-12-1), Calumet Copper Island Academy (14-19-4), L’Anse (9-15-2), Chassell (9-16-4).
Hancock is No. 10 and Baraga an honorable mention in the latest coaches poll, with Hancock dealing the Vikings their lone defeat Oct. 8, 3-0. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ only losses this season were to Division 2 Kingsford, both during an Oct. 22 tournament hosted by the Flivvers – and Hancock is a combined 5-0 against the rest of this field while Baraga is 14-0 against those five teams – but has battled through some tough sets against Lake Linden-Hubbell in multiple matches.
Central Lake
#1 Bellaire (33-7-2), No. 2 Suttons Bay (18-12-2), Central Lake (16-15-4), Leland (7-23-1), Lake Leelanau St. Mary (2-20).
Bellaire opened this season 13-1-1, and aside from an 0-3 night at the Buckley quad on Oct. 22 hasn’t slowed down, coming back to cap the regular season with a 7-1-1 string. The Eagles are unranked and haven’t seen Suttons Bay, which earned honorable mention in the most recent coaches poll and started this season 9-0 but has endured a difficult stretch of late but while facing multiple Division 3 teams and falling to Division 4 No. 3 Traverse City Christian twice last week. Central Lake has lost twice to Bellaire but took a set the second time and will have to defeat Suttons Bay to earn another opportunity.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian
#1 Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (21-6-3), #2 Grand Rapids Sacred Heart (28-4-1), Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (22-8-1), Martin (8-16), Byron Center Zion Christian (14-18-2), Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep (2-21).
Hackett and Sacred Heart are both honorable mentions in the latest rankings and would meet for the first time if both reach Saturday’s District Final. Hackett is 9-1 since the start of October, with five losses this season to Division 2 teams and the sixth to a Division 3 opponent. Sacred Heart also has losses to Division 2 and 3 opponents, but did take an early defeat against Tri-unity Christian and another against Martin – although both of those during the first month of the season. Sacred Heart and Tri-unity could meet again in a Thursday District Semifinal.
PHOTO Marquette’s Grace Filizetti (13) winds up for a kill attempt during a sweep last week of Calumet Copper Island Academy. (Photo by Randy Ritari Photo.)
Nine Just Fine for Record-Setting St. Phil
November 22, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
BATTLE CREEK – Emily Schaub has grown up in Battle Creek St. Philip’s volleyball tradition, her mother a member of the Tigers’ 1989 Class D championship team.
The last two seasons, Amy (Nelson) Schaub’s daughter also set St. Philip squads that weren’t supposed to continue the program’s near-decade of MHSAA Finals dominance.
But No. 1 in the regular-season rankings doesn’t mean much compared to number nine in the record book.
St. Philip, ranked No. 3 in Class D at the start of the postseason, defeated No. 2 Mendon in a Quarterfinal and then top-ranked Leland in Saturday’s Final 25-18, 25-18, 23-25, 25-17 to claim a record ninth consecutive MHSAA championship. The Tigers had entered this fall tied with the Marysville teams of 1997-2004 for the longest title streak in MHSAA volleyball history.
“Growing up and watching them, it was always great to say ‘I want to be out there one day.’ And just having that experience, being around that all my life, has pushed me harder to want to be like that,” Schaub said. “Going out there and doing that, … it feels good to prove we’re just as good as the other teams. Just to show we’re a great program, even when considered in a rebuilding year, just to show we’re still a fighting team and we’re here to stay.”
In 40 seasons of MHSAA volleyball, St. Philip has made the Semifinals 32 times, played in 28 championship games and won 20.
The eighth-straight title last season meant something personally to St. Philip coach Vicky Groat, who took over the program from her late mother Sheila Guerra and tied her mom’s career total of nine championships won.
But Saturday’s crowning victory will serve as one of the brightest points of pride for a community that turned out again to celebrate success.
“Ask every single one of these girls if they were in the stands for championship runs or Final Fours. They were in the stands watching, and they want to be part of that team,” Groat said. “That’s what it is. These kids, they have that. They want to play for St. Phil. They want that experience. As a coach, I want to make sure to give every single one of my kids who play for me the chance at a Final Four or to play for a championship.”
And, as Groat added, there was something to be said of claiming number nine “with this group of girls.”
St. Philip graduated all-state hitter and Miss Volleyball winner Amanda McKinzie after the 2012 win, and another all-state hitter and Miss Volleyball candidate Sierra Hubbard-Neil after last fall.
The Tigers this season had only two hitters who saw time in the 2013 Final, when Hubbard-Neil had 19 of the team’s 31 kills.
But on Saturday, junior Abby McKinzie had 13 kills and senior Megan Parker added 12 as seven St. Philip players scored. Schaub had 32 assists and was one of five with at least 14 digs – sophomore libero Kameron Haley led with 21, tied for 11th most in an MHSAA Final during the rally scoring era that began in 2004-05.
St. Philip claimed the first two sets before Leland stormed back in the third. The Comets played the Tigers to 15-15 in the fourth set before St. Philip ended on a 10-2 run.
“She is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had in my life, and to be able top get this record for her is unexplainable,” McKinzie said of Groat. “I’m so happy to have won it for her.”
It came against a program that could be considered a distant part of the St. Phil family. Leland coach Laurie Glass coached against Guerra, and Glass’ players stay with Groat each year when they play in the Tigers’ tournament. Groat’s players stay with Glass each summer during the Comets’ camp.
Leland certainly had the Tigers wary of a comeback. Leland had fallen in its first Semifinal set to Onaway before winning the next two, losing the fourth and then shutting out Onaway 15-0 in the decider.
When Groat and Glass crossed paths after Leland claimed the third set, Groat did mutter a little something about a possible repeat of Thursday.
“We were certainly hoping to give her another run at that time, at least make it go to a fifth,” Glass said. “I thought they really started serving really well at that time (in the fourth), we started making passing errors and got a little tighter. We made a couple hitting errors, unforced errors on our part that gave them the momentum for that 3-4 point swing that put them ahead.”
Junior Maddie Trumbull led the Comets with 16 kills, and senior Jessica Fleis had 37 assists. Senior Miranda Harrison’s 24 digs ranked sixth for an MHSAA Final. The Comets' runner-up finish was their best since 2006, and they finished 43-13-4.
St. Philip finished 53-12-4, with a few more losses than the last couple of seasons. The Tigers finished 1-3 at the Rockford Invitational on Oct. 25, but that day Groat saw a championship-level surge beginning to build.
“At the start of the season, we were doubtful. Ask every single (player), we were doubtful,” Groat said. “(We thought) we’re going to have to do our best as coaches, but it’s not only coaching. It’s players, and they bought into it.
"They believed they could do it, and the power of believing is awesome.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Battle Creek St. Philip players celebrate claiming their ninth straight MHSAA title trophy. (Middle) St. Phil’s Abby McKinzie drive a kill while Leland’s Vianna Hennig (13) and Erica Ongaro prepare to block. (Click for action photos and team photos from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)
HIGHLIGHTS:
COMETS ACE FOR SET THREE VICTORY - Down 2-0, Leland took the third set against Battle Creek St. Philip on this service ace by Eva Grobbel.
WINNER TIMES NINE IS FINE - Battle Creek St. Philip clinched its ninth straight Class D Girls Volleyball title on this kill from Abby McKinzie, which gave the Tigers a 3-1 decision over Leland.
You can watch the whole game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.