Hancock Riding Impressive Streak as Championship Pursuit Begins Second Week
By
John Vrancic
Special for MHSAA.com
November 10, 2026
BARAGA — Hancock carried a two-month winning streak into last week’s Division 4 District Tournament at Baraga and defeated the host Vikings on Thursday to overcome a major obstacle as they work to extend that undefeated run deep into November.
The Bulldogs (30-2-1) – who also won the Copper Mountain Conference title this fall – are 28-2 after the 25-11, 25-16, 25-20 sweep of Baraga and heading into tonight’s Regional Semifinal against host Ishpeming (18-8-2).
Baraga was an honorable mention in the final coaches Division 4 poll heading into the postseason, and its only losses this season were to Hancock. The Bulldogs entered the MHSAA Tournament ranked No. 5 and secured the league title by defeating Division 3 honorable mention Calumet in five sets Oct. 27. They also beat the Copper Kings 3-2 on their floor Sept. 15.
“That was a big win,” Hancock junior Romey Koskela said. “I think that was the first time in many years we won up there. It’s a great environment to be in. We were pretty excited after that. I think that set the tone for us. They’re a young team, but they’re tough to beat up there. They also gave us a tough match on our floor. Winning that match was big momentum for us going into the District.”
A victory tonight would enable the Bulldogs to return to Ishpeming for the Regional Final on Thursday to face the winner of No. 9 Crystal Falls Forest Park and Ewen-Trout Creek. Hancock defeated Forest Park in their regular-season meeting Sept. 12, after falling to the Trojans in a Regional Semifinal last fall. The Bulldogs defeated Forest Park in a 2024 Regional Final on the way to making the Division 4 Semifinals in Battle Creek.
“Forest Park would be a tough match,” Hancock senior Briell L’Esperance said. “Ishpeming also has a good team. You can’t underestimate anyone. You’ve got to give it your all in every match. I’m proud of the girls on our team. We work hard every day.”
Baraga challenged Hancock in the third set of Thursday’s District Final. The Vikings led 20-19 before a block by Koskela tied the score and gave the Bulldogs a side-out.
Hancock then scored the last five points, securing the decision on a kill by Koskela.
The Bulldogs run a 6-2 offense, which both L’Esperance and Hancock coach Brian Lamppa noted has been a great fit for their lineup.
Junior outside hitter Azura Aho, Koskela and junior libero Chloe Bastian recently were named to the WestPAC all-conference first team, while junior right-side hitter Vaeda Brooks and junior setter Tatum Sporalski made the second team and senior middle Bria Koski earned special mention. Lamppa was named league Coach of the Year.
“Romey is definitely leading us at the net and with her serving,” Lamppa said. “We’ve been working on our blocking. We’re being aggressive at the net.”
The Regional champion advances to the Quarterfinal on Nov. 17 at Manistique.
The two losses this season came against Division 2 Kingsford, which is coming off a District title as well.
“Our setters were getting some great passes to us (against Baraga),” L’Esperance said. “It all starts with them. It’s hard to defend against Azura Aho. If we can play like that, we’ll go far.
“We played a lot of bigger schools which I think will help us if we go downstate, although Forest Park has been a great team for many years. That would be a good match if we win Tuesday.”
John Vrancic has covered high school sports in the Upper Peninsula since joining the Escanaba Daily Press staff in 1985. He is known most prominently across the peninsula for his extensive coverage of cross country and track & field that frequently appears in newspapers from the Wisconsin border to Lake Huron. He received the James Trethewey Award for Distinguished Service in 2015 from the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
(Photo courtesy of the Hancock athletic booster club.)
Block Party: 2026 Girls Volleyball Week 9 Report
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 21, 2026
It’s always tournament season for Michigan’s high school girls volleyball teams, but this moment in time seems to especially stand out.
This past Saturday, a total of 257 teams – almost 37 percent of the state’s varsities – played at least one match, the majority as part of multi-team events.
And this Sunday, Oct. 25, this season’s District brackets will be announced, including the top two seeds in each as determined by Michigan Power Ratings (MPR).
Below are highlights from the past week with more to come as the final calculations are made to set those postseason matchups.
Records below are those reported and tracked on this website, and rankings referred to below 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. Byron Center d. Grand Rapids Christian (25-12, 25-12) The No. 3-ranked Bulldogs (34-4) continued to cement themselves as contenders in Division 1 with the championship at the prestigious Beast of the East, sweeping Division 2 top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian (24-4) to finish a 6-1 day.
2. Traverse City Christian d. Kingsley (25-21, 25-21) Division 4 No. 3 Traverse City Christian finished 4-1 at the McBain Invitational, losing only to the host Ramblers but also becoming just the fifth team to defeat the Division 2 No. 8 Stags (40-5-1).
3. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern d. Bloomfield Hills Marian (25-22, 25-23) Division 1 No. 6 FHN (28-9) finished 3-1 at Beast of the East with a win as well over honorable mention Grand Haven but this one over formerly top-ranked-now-No. 2 Marian (31-4) was the most notable.
4. Tecumseh d. Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-25, 25-21, 15-10) Division 2 honorable mention Tecumseh (31-6-2) finished 6-0 at the Lenawee County Tournament, with Division 4 top-ranked Lenawee Christian (34-5) the only team to take a set during those matches.
5. Saginaw Valley Lutheran d. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (25-16, 25-20) Division 3 top-ranked Valley Lutheran (44-6-2) went 6-0-1 at the M3 Invitational, with this the only loss taken on the day by the Division 4 No. 2 Irish (30-7-3).
Watch List
With an eye toward November, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Bloomfield Hills (28-9) The Black Hawks graduated Miss Volleyball Kayla Nwabueze after last season, but have navigated some tough competition to remain among the highly-regarded. They are an honorable mention in the Division 1 poll and coming off a 3-1 day at the Novi Wildcat Showcase with a win there over No. 9 Clarkston. Bloomfield Hills followed that up Tuesday by downing Division 2 No. 2 Detroit Country Day 3-0.
Brighton (23-9-1) A four-set win over honorable mention Orchard Lake St. Mary’s last week was the latest boost for the also-honorable mention Bulldogs, who have won eight straight matches. Five losses and the tie have come against ranked or honorable mention teams in Divisions 1 and 2, and a 2-1 win over Division 1 No. 7 Hudsonville at the East vs. West Showdown on Sept. 19 was memorable as well.
DIVISION 2
Kingsford (21-3-2) The Flivvers nearly have matched last season’s 22-3 record thanks in part to a 3-0 Saturday at the Clash of the Divisions where they defeated Division 1 Marquette, Division 3 honorable mention Calumet and Division 4 No. 9 Crystal Falls Forest Park after finishing 1-2 against that group a year ago. The Calumet win avenged a Sept. 10 loss, and the other two defeats this season came during a 2-2 day at the Cadillac Fall Tournament.
North Branch (28-9-3) The Broncos have maintained their usual place among the Division 2 top 10 all season, but after multiple weeks in the No. 10 slot have built back up to No. 7 thanks to a 10-2 run that’s included wins over Division 1 No. 7 Hudsonville and Division 2 honorable mention Flat Rock. Earlier triumphs over Division 1 honorable mention South Lyon, Division 3 No. 1 Saginaw Valley Lutheran and Division 4 No. 2 Sacred Heart also pop off the page.
DIVISION 3
Hanover-Horton (26-8-5) The Comets climbed to No. 9 in Division 3 this week and have downed No. 5 Clinton, No. 7 Grass Lake and No. 3 Plymouth Christian Academy and tied Division 4 No. 4 Battle Creek St. Philip over the last two weeks. The Clinton and Grass Lake victories avenged earlier losses, and Hanover-Horton could see one of them again in Regional play next month.
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (24-2) Another annual contender – and Division 3 champion most recently in 2024 – St. Mary sits No. 8 in the coaches poll with its only losses both to Division 1 honorable mention South Lyon. SMCC finished 4-1 at Beast of the East after last week also finishing a sweep of Division 2 honorable mention Flat Rock amid a perfect run through the Huron League.
DIVISION 4
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (30-7-3) The Irish have reached at least the Regional Finals the last six seasons and could be headed back to Battle Creek with all of its losses coming to ranked or honorable mention teams in Divisions 2 and 3. The Irish are ranked No. 2 in Division 4 with wins over No. 3 Traverse City Christian, No. 7 Ubly and Division 3 honorable mention Morley Stanwood.
Onekama (24-6-1) The Portagers went 3-5 in August and have been on a 21-1-1 tear since with only three sets lost over their last 20 matches. They’ll see Division 3 honorable mention Manton on Saturday as they tune up for the postseason, where they’ll attempt to add to a string of six straight District championships.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these matches and tournaments coming up:
Thursday – Hillsdale Academy (21-6) at Battle Creek St. Philip (28-12-4) – This Southern Central Athletic Association crossover game features the Division 4 No. 4 Tigers facing honorable mention Hillsdale Academy.
Thursday – Detroit Country Day (14-7-1) at South Lyon East (29-6) – The Division 1 No. 4 Cougars host Division 2 No. 2 Country Day in what should be an excellent postseason prep match for both.
Thursday – Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (26-8) at Plymouth Christian Academy (26-11-5) – The Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue is topped by this pair of ranked teams, PCA at No. 3 in Division 3 and Oakland Christian at No. 5 in Division 4.
Saturday – East vs. West Challenge at Lowell – The field includes No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy, No. 2 Bloomfield Hills Marian and No. 3 Byron Center among six top-10 Division 1 teams, five more Division 1 honorable mentions, and Division 2 top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian.
Saturday – Frankenmuth Invitational – Another impressive field includes the Division 2 No. 6 Eagles and Division 3 top-ranked Saginaw Valley Lutheran, No. 2 Roscommon and honorable mention Manton.
PHOTOS (Top) A Bath hitter puts the ball over the net during a match against Lansing Christian this season. (Middle) Rockford’s Kendall Anderson (12) sets during a match against Grandville. (Bath/Lansing Christian photo by Click by Christine McCallister. Rockford/Grandville photo by Michigan Sports Media.)