Highlight Reel: Class B Semifinals

November 21, 2014

The Lake Odessa Lakewood volleyball team defeated Battle Creek Harper Creek 3-1 in a Class B Semifinal on Thursday. North Branch followed with a 3-1 victory over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Click the headings below for highlights: 

LAKEWOOD WINS FIRST SET - Lake Odessa Lakewood captured the first set against Battle Creek Harper Creek on this big swing by Vanessa Reynhout.

TEACHING THEM A LESON - Harper Creek bounced back to win the second set against Lakewood. Here's one of two big points Olivia Leson connected on down the stretch. 

CARLSON BLASTS ONE FOR ND PREP - Katherine Carlson comes through for Notre Dame Prep on this play in the first set against North Branch. However, it was the Broncos who advanced.

WILLSON MOWS THEM DOWN - This big hit by Laura Willson of North Branch was a key play in the fourth and final set against Pontiac Notre Dame.

Watch the matches in full and order DVDs by Clicking Here for Lakewood/Harper Creek and Clicking Here for North Branch/Notre Dame Prep. 

Mercy's Mruzik Adds National Accolade

April 15, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Farmington Hills Mercy senior Jess Mruzik has been awarded as Gatorade’s national “Player of the Year” after earlier earning the state award for the second-straight season.

Mruzik – who missed the start of the high school season while leading the U-18 Team USA squad to a world championship in Egypt – returned to Mercy and led the Marlins to the Division 1 championship, their first MHSAA Finals title in volleyball.

A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Mruzik totaled 495 kills, 209 digs, 47 aces and 19 blocks with .635 kill and .540 hitting percentages. Mercy finished 59-1.

Mruzik also carries a 3.47 grade-point average and has participated in her school’s community clean-up effort and provided youth volleyball instruction as part of her club and local grade school programs. She has begun her studies at University of Michigan, where she will continue her volleyball career.

PHOTO: Farmington Hills Mercy’s Jess Mruzik winds up for a kill attempt during the fall’s Division 1 Final.