Mendon Seniors Hope to Add Volleyball Title to Historic Softball Success
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
October 7, 2025
MENDON – A few short months ago, Jadyn Samson, Cienna Nightingale, Gracie Schultz and Brook Gerth led Mendon to this spring’s Division 4 softball championship, the first MHSAA Finals title for the Hornets on the diamond.
Now those four seniors would like to finish their final volleyball season raising a trophy at Kellogg Arena as well.
But first the Division 4 top-ranked contender must clear an elusive hurdle at the Regional level.
As freshmen, Mendon's senior class got swept by Athens in the District opener. Since then, Mendon has captured two straight District trophies before getting swept by St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic in a 2023 Regional Semifinal and losing 3-2 to Concord in the 2024 Regional Finals.
Fourth-year head coach Kenny Herbert hopes Mendon's experience, chemistry and a rigorous schedule are enough to get the Hornets back to Finals weekend next month in Battle Creek.
Mendon captured two consecutive Division 4 titles under Heather Bowers in 2018 and 2019 and three Class D crowns under legendary coach Kathy Trenary in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Before arriving in Mendon, Herbert, a native of St. Clair, served as New Haven's varsity mentor, and prior to that he was junior varsity coach at Beal City and Port Huron Northern. He also has served as a club coach for Michigan Elite and Deadfrogs.
"I love coaching in the small-town atmosphere. It really brings out the best in our athletes, especially here at Mendon because they have such a great tradition in all sports,” Herbert said. “Three of my four seniors this year were part of the varsity when I started here, and the other one joined the varsity her sophomore year. They have built on the tradition that's been set here and bought into the culture I wanted to instill and the standards that we've set. Day in and day out they're just hard-working kids who want to get better and win. They all care about one another, and that shows what Mendon volleyball is about.”
This year's Hornets (21-3-1) are fresh off a 25-18, 16-25, 25-16, 25-21 victory last week over No. 3-rated Battle Creek St. Philip.
Mendon began its season by winning the St. Joseph County Tournament, including earning a 25-18, 25-21 win over Three Rivers, a Division 2 school. The Hornets were 3-1-1 at the Cereal City Classic, won the Decatur quad and compiled a 3-2 record at the prestigious Division 3-4 Showdown on Sept. 27 at Schoolcraft College.
At the D3/D4 Showdown, Mendon lost in straight sets to Grass Lake before registering consecutive straight-set wins over Montrose, Division 3 honorable mention Cass City and No. 5 Pewamo-Westphalia before dropping its final match of the day in straight sets to No. 3 Plymouth Christian Academy.
Schultz, Samson and Nightingale are all four-year varsity letterwinners, while Gerth is in her third year on the varsity.
"Our seniors are leaders by example and with their voice. They run all our drills, and they know what it takes to win, Herbert said. “Right away they bought into what I wanted to do, and they've taken care of the team. We have two freshmen on our team this year, and our seniors make them feel at home like they've always been a part of the varsity.”
Schultz, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter, leads Mendon in kills with 249 to go with 49 service aces, 197 digs, 13 blocks and 18 assists.
"Gracie brings a lot of energy and is a six-rotation player who can put the ball away and command our defense – which is something we really pride ourselves on," Herbert said.
Schultz recently committed to play at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and plans to go into sports medicine.
"Having been on varsity all four years helps us in holding everyone accountable. We know what Coach Herbert's expectations are, and it helps the others follow those rules as well,” Schultz said. “We have the right team chemistry to make a run, and it’s been exciting to see the underclassmen develop since the beginning of the season.”
Nightingale, a right-side hitter, has produced 161 kills, 25 aces, 142 digs and nine blocks.
"Cienna is a very steady player who can also put the ball away. She is very composed in what she does and knows the ins and outs of the game," Herbert said.
Nightingale, the last of a talented athletic family at Mendon, plans to continue playing volleyball and possibly softball at the next level but hasn't decided what college she will attend.
"I really like playing right-side hitter because it's a super-important position with the blocking aspect, transitioning hard and attacking. I also enjoy being able to serve-receive and play defense as well because I feel I'm an overall solid player," Nightingale said.
Samson, the Hornets' starting libero, has 302 digs, 29 aces and 49 assists. The daughter of Patty and Mendon athletic director and multiple-sport coach Glen Samson, Jadyn will continue her volleyball career at Huntington College in Indiana.
"Jayden is the heart and soul of our defense. She never wants a ball to drop without going for it. She has a voice and is basically a third coach for us and understands the game better than most athletes," Herbert said.
Her voice is usually hoarse after matches as she takes that role of communicator to heart.
"Looking at the past few years, we've never came away with that Regional title. Right now that's our goal as seniors, and we know we can get that,” said Samson, who plans to study sports management. “So right now we are just showing up to the gym every day and growing together. Even with a few underclassmen on the team I think we all bond really well. We are a real scrappy team that never gives up. This is a very unselfish team.”
Freshman Lashell Blair, a 5-foot-10 middle blocker, also has been a force with 85 kills, 27 aces, 23 blocks and 34 digs. Freshman 5-8 middle blocker Sabrina Monroy has three aces, 36 kills and 21 blocks.
"Lashell is just a great athlete and another kid who can put the ball away. She understands the game very well and has done a great job of picking up the speed and tempo of the varsity game," Herbert said. "Sabrina is one of the best blockers on our team because she does a great job of reading the other side of the net.”
Gerth has 51 kills, 21 aces, 55 digs and 20 blocks. "Brooke has really matured the past couple years and come out of her shell. This year she transitioned from the middle to playing outside hitter and has embraced that role," Herbert said.
Junior setter Karyssa Holtz has done an effective job at setter with 468 assists to go with 45 aces, 46 kills and 107 digs. "Karyssa has grown tremendously into that setter's role. She takes control of running our offense and has done a good job with it," Herbert said.
Junior Michelle Gomez-Sanchez, a defensive specialist and outside hitter, has 14 aces, five kills and 74 digs. Sophomore Graye Lukeman, another defensive specialist and outside hitter, sports totals of six kills and 25 digs.
"Michelle will sacrifice herself to go after every ball. She always has a smile on her face and just wants to play and contribute to the team," Herbert said. "Graye continues to improve every day. She fits the mold of what our team is, and I'm excited to see how she benefits our team in the future.”
Rounding out the squad is junior right-side hitter Harley Stover. "Harley is a voice to our team and a teammate that anyone would ask for,” Herbert said. “She is very supportive of everyone and their success."
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Mendon senior right-side hitter Cienna Nightingale (9) attacks the net against a pair of Battle Creek St. Philip blockers last week. (Middle) Fourth-year Mendon head coach Kenny Herbert exchanges hi-fives with one of his players during a timeout. (Below) From left, Mendon four-year varsity volleyball letterwinners Nightingale, Jayden Samson and Gracie Schultz pose for a photo following the win over St. Philip. (Nightingale and Herbert photos by Nicci Plummer. Group photo by Scott Hassinger.)
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.)