Preview: Top-Ranked Aiming to Finish #1
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2019
State poll voters have been right on with their favorites for this weekend's MHSAA Volleyball Finals at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena, as all four top-ranked teams will be making the trip.
What's more, Division 1 No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy is one of seven contenders this weekend seeking to finish as a Finals champion for the first time.
Below is this weekend’s schedule:
Division 1 Semifinals – Thursday
Lake Orion vs. Lowell, 4:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Skyline vs. Farmington Hills Mercy, 6:30 p.m.
Division 2 Semifinals - Friday
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 4:30 p.m.
Kingsley vs. Grand Rapids Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Division 3 Semifinals – Friday
Saginaw Valley Lutheran vs. Schoolcraft, Noon
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central vs. Beaverton, 2 p.m.
Division 4 Semifinals - Thursday
Mendon vs. Southfield Christian, Noon
Rudyard vs. Leland, 2 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1, 2 p.m.
Division 2, 4 p.m.
Division 3, Noon
Division 4, 10 a.m.
Click for links to all results from this season’s tournament plus ticket information and details on live broadcasts of all 12 matches this weekend on MHSAA.tv and MHSAANetwork.com. Below is a glance at all 16 contenders, with statistics through last week's Regional Finals unless noted.
Division 1
ANN ARBOR SKYLINE
Record/rank: 54-8, unranked
Coach: Chris Cristian, third season (111-31-6)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Novi in Regional Final, 3-0 (District Final) 3-0, 2-0 and 2-1 over honorable mention Saline, 2-0 over honorable mention Brighton, 2-0 over honorable mention Oxford.
Players to watch: Kendall Murray, 6-2 sr. OH (656 kills, .420 kill %, 367 digs); Harper Murray, 6-1 fr. OH (657 kills, .492 kill %, 151 aces, 446 digs); Stacie Warner, 5-5 sr. S (1,297 assists, 74 aces).
Finals forecast: Skyline won its first Regional title last week powered by a Miss Volleyball finalist in Kendall Murray and a star just getting started on her high school career in Harper Murray. The Eagles haven’t dropped a set during the MHSAA Tournament, nor in 12 of their last 13 matches. Skyline also has defeated a number of top teams from other divisions, including Division 2 honorable mention Ida, Division 3 No. 4 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian and No. 10 Saginaw Valley Lutheran; and Division 4 No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip and No. 4 Southfield Christian. Kendall Murray will continue her career at University of Michigan.
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY
Record/rank: 56-1, No. 1
Coach: Loretta Vogel, 11th season (record N/A)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Class A runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 3-2 (Regional Semifinal), 3-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 3-0 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian; 2-1 over No. 3 Mattawan, 2-0 over No. 2 Lowell, 2-0, 2-1 and 3-0 over No. 9 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek; 2-0 over No. 10 Bloomfield Hills, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Saline; 2-0 over honorable mention Novi, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Oxford, 2-0 over honorable mention Brighton, 2-0 over Ann Arbor Skyline.
Players to watch: Jess Mruzik, 6-2 sr. OH (415 kills, .534 hitting %); Julia Bishop, 6-0 jr. S (1,459 assists, 75 aces, 288 digs); Ellen Tisko, 6-2 jr. MB (340 kills, .500 hitting %, 68.5 blocks); Charli Atiemo, 6-1 jr. MB (398 kills, .506 hitting %, 85 blocks).
Finals forecast: Mercy and Miss Volleyball winner Mruzik will attempt to win Vogel her first MHSAA Finals championship over more than four decades of coaching that has included bringing nine teams to at least the Semifinals, including last year’s team – which fell to eventual champion Lake Orion in a five-set semi. Mruzik, who also will continue at U-M, spent the beginning of the season playing for the U.S. U-18 national team in Egypt, and yet Mercy lost this season only to Lowell (while Mruzik was away). Bishop also made the all-state first team last season, while Atiemo made the third.
LAKE ORION
Record/rank: 39-15-2, honorable mention
Coach: Tony Scavarda, sixth season (317-63-5)
League finish: Third in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2018, Class A runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 3-2 over No. 9 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek in Regional Semifinal, 3-2 (District Final) and 3-0 over honorable mention Oxford, 3-1 (District Quarterfinal) and 2-0 over No. 6 Clarkston, 2-0 over honorable mention Brighton, 2-0 over honorable mention Saline, 2-0 over Ann Arbor Skyline.
Players to watch: Nina Horning, 6-2 fr. OH (394 kills, 107 aces); Lauren Staruch, 6-0 jr. OH (361 kills, 61 blocks); Reagan Goeke, 6-2 jr. MH (201 kills, .337 hitting %, 167 blocks).
Finals forecast: Lake Orion is 9-0-2 over its last 11 matches and defeated two top-10 teams on the way back to Battle Creek. Junior middle Kendall Robertson (250 kills, .331 hitting %) started last season’s championship match against Rockford but is the only player on this year’s roster to see the floor that day, making the Dragons’ return even more impressive. Kylie Andras (559 assists) and sophomore Jaina Macaulay (623) have split much of the setting, with Andras one of only three seniors on the team.
LOWELL
Record/rank: 54-3, No. 2
Coach: Jordan Drake, second season (92-7-2)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-1 (Quarterfinal) and 2-1 over No. 3 Mattawan, 3-1 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over No. 4 Hudsonville, 3-0 (Regional Semifinal) and 2-0 over No. 5 Byron Center, 3-0 (District Final) and 3-1 over honorable mention Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 2-0 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 2-0 over No. 10 Bloomfield Hills, 2-0 over No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy, 2-0 over No. 8 Grand Haven, 2-0 over honorable mention Novi, 2-0 and 2-0 over honorable mention Lake Orion, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian.
Players to watch: Sophia Powell, 5-8 jr. S (1,446 assists, .390 hitting %); Jenna Reitsma, 5-11 jr. OH (795 kills, .357 hitting %, 82 aces, 379 digs); Meghan Meyer, 6-1 sr. MH/RH (438 kills, .381 hitting %, 76 blocks).
Finals forecast: Lowell’s longest tournament run has included its first Regional title won last week and has seen the Red Arrows eliminate top-10 teams in three straight matches. Total, Lowell has defeated seven of the final top 10 in Division 1, plus the top-ranked teams in Division 2 (Grand Rapids Christian) and 3 (Schoolcraft). The Red Arrows have dropped only 14 sets this season including four to Hudsonville over two losses before avenging those defeats at the Regional. Reitsma made the all-state second team last season, and Meyer made the third team.
Division 2
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 44-3, No. 1
Coach: Tiffannie Gates, ninth season (424-82)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2018.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 4 Hamilton in Quarterfinal, 3-2 over No. 3 Coopersville in Regional Final, 2-0 over No. 8 Detroit Country Day, 2-0 over No. 9 Holland Christian, 3-0 and 2-0 over Division 1 No. 5 Byron Center, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 3 Mattawan, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 4 Hudsonville, 2-0 and 2-0 over Division 3 No. 1 Schoolcraft.
Players to watch: Jordyn Gates, 5-10 sr. S (1,099 assists, .309 hitting %, 378 digs); Addison VanderWeide, 6-0 jr. OH (495 kills, .305 hitting %, 59 aces, 345 digs); Evelyn Doezema, 6-3 soph. OH (326 kills, 63 blocks).
Finals forecast: Grand Rapids Christian rolled to its first championship last season with a pair of sweeps at Kellogg, and has just kept marching. The Eagles’ only losses this fall were to Division 1 Lowell and Hudsonville (twice), and they’ve dropped only 10 sets all season. Senior middle Ayva Kooistra (195 kills) joined Jordyn Gates, Doezema and VanderWeide in the starting lineup for last season’s Final, and junior libero Lauren Peal and junior defensive specialist Elizabeth Rupp both saw time in the championship match. Gates and VanderWeide both made the all-state first team in 2018, and Gates was a Miss Volleyball finalist this fall and will continue her career at Arkansas.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Record/rank: 39-12, No. 2
Coach: Cameron Rowland, second season (85-21-2)
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference
Championship history: Class B champion 2012, four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 over honorable mention Ida in Quarterfinal, 3-2 over No. 7 Parma Western in Regional Final, 3-0 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over honorable mention Marshall, 2-1 over No. 9 Holland Christian, 2-1 over Division 3 No. 1 Schoolcraft.
Players to watch: Maradith O’Gorman, 6-2 soph. RS (506 kills, .361 hitting %, 86 aces, 360 digs); Aubrey O’Gorman, 6-3 jr. MB (480 kills, .424 hitting %, 151 blocks); Skylar Bump, 5-6 fr. S (1,209 assists, 88 aces).
Finals forecast: Lakewood has played in four championship matches over the last seven seasons, finishing Class B runner-up in 2014, 2016 and 2017. The Vikings fell to Grand Rapids Christian in last season’s Semifinal, and have won 10 of their last 11 matches heading back to Battle Creek. They’ll be prepared, thanks as well to impressive losses to Hudsonville, Lowell, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Byron Center this fall. Maradith O’Gorman made the all-state first team last season as just a freshman, while Aubrey O’Gorman was selected as only a sophomore.
KINGSLEY
Record/rank: 58-7-3, No. 6
Coach: David Hall, 21st season (982-231-92)
League finish: First in Northwest Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 2004.
Best wins: 3-2 over honorable mention Cadillac in Regional Final, 2-0 over honorable mention Corunna, 3-0 and 2-0 over Division 4 No. 5 Leland, 2-0 over Division 3 No. 4 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, 2-0 and 2-0 over Division 3 honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis.
Players to watch: Brittany Bowman, 5-4 sr. OH (501 kills, 68 aces, 621 digs); Maddie Bies, 5-0 sr. S (1,489 assists, 343 digs); Austyn DeWeese, 6-2 sr. MH (529 kills, .397 hitting %, 143 blocks).
Finals forecast: Kingsley is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since that 2004 Class C run, and following a senior-laden lineup with five starters and the team’s libero all looking to finish their high school careers by making more history this weekend. The Stags can go to multiple scoring options, with senior outside hitter Sidny Hessem (458 kills) also making the most of many opportunities this fall. Kingsley has won 19 straight matches since taking a loss to Division 1 Temperance Bedford, and also saw Lake Orion and No. 3 Coopersville (the latter twice) in defeats.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Record/rank: 48-10-2, No. 7
Coach: Betty A. Wroubel, 26th season (1,106-231-96)
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2017), Division 2 runner-up 2018.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 8 Detroit Country Day in District Final, 2-0 over No. 10 Onsted, 2-0 over honorable mention Cadillac, 2-1 over Division 1 honorable mention Oxford, 2-0 over Division 4 No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip, 2-0 over Division 3 No. 8 Centreville.
Players to watch: Aly Borellis, 5-10 soph. S/RS (564 kills, 96 blocks, 96 aces, 722 assists); Josie Bloom, 5-6 soph. DS/L (90 aces, 491 digs); Sophia Sudzina, 5-7 soph. S/OH (364 kills) (Only partial season stats available).
Finals forecast: Notre Dame Prep played in its second-straight MHSAA Final last fall, and appears the team to watch for the next two seasons too after making another run to finish this one. Borellis made the all-state third team last fall as just a freshman and has done some of everything for the Irish this fall. Bloom, senior middle Emily Mohr and sophomore middle Bianca Giglio also started in last year’s championship match, and junior libero Livy Kowalkowski played a significant role. Mohr (53 blocks, 60 aces) and middle Theresa Carrier (265 kills off the bench) are the team’s only seniors.
Division 3
BEAVERTON
Record/rank: 46-1-1, No. 7
Coach: Steve Evans, 11th season (332-154-4)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 2-1 over No. 5 Bronson, 3-0 over honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis in Quarterfinal, 2-0 over honorable mention Beal City, 2-0 over Freeland, 2-0 over Mount Pleasant, 2-1 over Division 4 honorable mention Saginaw Nouvel.
Players to watch: Molly Gerow, 5-9 jr. OH (631 kills, 369 digs); Mady Pahl, 5-7 jr. S (1,103 assists, 64 aces, 333 digs); Macie Jerome, 5-4 sr. L (83 aces, 584 digs).
Finals forecast: Beaverton has increased its win total every season over the last three and will play in its first Semifinal after winning its first Regional title last week. The team’s only loss this fall came to Freeland, a quarterfinalist in Division 2, and the Beavers later avenged that defeat and have dropped only eight sets all season. They come to Battle Creek on a 37-match winning streak with sweeps in 21 of their last 22. Gerow made the all-state third team last season, and Jerome and defensive specialist Averie Bassage are the team’s only seniors.
MONROE ST. MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 48-2, No. 2
Coach: Karen O’Brien, fifth season (199-42-3)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2014), three runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-1 (Regional Final), 2-1 and 2-0 over No. 6 Brighton Charyl Stockwell Prep, 2-0 over No. 5 Bronson, 2-0 and 2-1 over Division 2 honorable mention Ida, 2-0 over Division 2 honorable mention Marshall, 2-0 over Division 4 No. 5 Leland, 2-1 over Ann Arbor Skyline.
Players to watch: Mikayla Haut, 5-11 jr. OH (446 kills, 73 aces, 75 blocks, 390 digs); Abbie Costlow, 5-10 jr. RS/OH (287 kills, .392 hitting %, 96 blocks); Sarah Reicker, 5-5 sr. S (835 assists, 50 aces).
Finals forecast: Monroe St. Mary is a pair of two-set losses to Division 1 No. 6 Clarkston and Division 2 No. 3 Coopersville from undefeated this fall as it returns to the Semifinals for the sixth time this decade and second-straight season. Haut, Costlow, junior outside hitter Anna Dean (327 kills) and senior right side Samantha Michael (191) all started in last year’s five-set Semifinal defeat to eventual champion Bronson, and Haut went on to make the all-state first team for the second time. Senior libero Payton Osborne had totaled a team-high 562 digs and 73 aces entering this week.
SAGINAW VALLEY LUTHERAN
Record/rank: 40-8-5, No. 10
Coach: Jon Frank, 13th season (476-224-65)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 2-1 over honorable mention Beal City, 3-1 over Brown City in Regional Final, 2-1 over Freeland, 2-0 over Saginaw Swan Valley, 3-1 over Division 4 honorable mention Saginaw Nouvel, 2-0 over Division 4 honorable mention Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
Players to watch: Peyton Bartnikowski, 5-7 jr. OH (443 kills, 69 aces, 334 digs); Sydney Krause, 5-9 jr. S (1,123 assists); Carly Pomaville, 5-7 sr. MH (201 kills, 65 blocks).
Finals forecast: Valley Lutheran won its first Regional title since 2011 and is back at the Semifinals for the first time since 1983. The Chargers have had a lot of success at the local levels with four more league and three more District titles over the last five seasons, and they are taking the next steps with a mix of seniors and talented players who should have the team in contention again next season as well. Valley Lutheran faced a number of larger opponents throughout the fall and also earned a draw with No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian. Senior libero Kelsy Vittitow (61 aces, 646 digs) earned all-state honorable mention last season
SCHOOLCRAFT
Record/rank: 47-6-1, No. 1
Coach: Erin Onken, eighth season (319-95-15)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Class C champion 2008, runner-up 2014.
Best wins: 3-0 (Quarterfinal) and 2-0 over No. 4 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, 3-0 over No. 5 Bronson in Regional Semifinal, 3-0 (District Final), 3-0 and 2-0 over No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian, 2-0 over honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis, 2-1 over Division 1 No. 3 Mattawan, 2-0 over Division 1 No. 10 Bloomfield Hills, 2-0 over Division 1 honorable mention Lake Orion, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 2 Lake Odessa Lakewood, 2-0 over Division 2 No. 5 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 2-0 and 2-0 over Division 2 honorable mention Edwardsburg.
Players to watch: Andelyn Simkins, 5-10 sr. OH (692 kills, .505 hitting %, 84 aces, 490 digs); Kayla Onken, 5-8 jr. S (1,352 assists, 80 aces, 305 digs), Anna Schuppel, 6-1 jr. M (252 kills, .475 hitting %, 147 blocks); Maggie Morris, 6-0 jr. M (268 kills, .444 hitting %, 108 blocks).
Finals forecast: Schoolcraft has one of the most impressive sets of results in the state this fall, given that it’s a Division 3 school and has wins over three teams at Battle Creek in either Division 1 or 2 – not to mention against a number of other now-eliminated contenders. Simkins was a Miss Volleyball finalist and will continue next season at Western Michigan. But she and outside hitter Madi Ballett are the only senior starters, which should make next season one with high hopes as well. This will be the Eagles’ first Semifinal trip since the 2014 run, but they’ve stayed in the mix; they’ve won league titles every season under Erin Onken and District titles every season but one.
Division 4
LELAND
Record/rank: 43-14-3, No. 5
Coach: Laurie Glass, 25th season (1,006-296-95)
League finish: Second in Northwest Conference
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), seven runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 3-0 over No. 6 Merrill in Quarterfinal, 3-1 (Regional Final) and 2-0 over honorable mention Traverse City Christian, 2-0 over Division 3 honorable mention Traverse City St. Francis, 2-0 over Saginaw Swan Valley.
Players to watch: Olivia Lowe, 5-9 jr. OH (338 kills, 77 aces, 333 digs); Tatum Kareck, 5-8 jr. OH (338 kills, 83 aces, 364 digs); Jana Molby, 5-5 jr. S (757 assists, 62 aces).
Finals forecast: Leland is another regular at Kellogg Arena for the season’s final weekend, with this its sixth trip to the Semifinals over the last seven seasons. And there’s some additional intrigue this time, as every player on the roster is a junior except for freshman setter Alexis Luce. Kareck and 6-0 junior middle Sarah Elwell (250 kills, 91 blocks) were in the starting lineup for last season’s championship match, and junior libero Mia Osorio is a returning Division 4 all-state second teamer. Leland again loaded its schedule to prepare for this point. The Comets played only 13 Division 4 opponents before the playoffs and at one point stood 6-9-2 before locking in to win 37 of their next 43 matches.
MENDON
Record/rank: 38-9-6, No. 1
Coach: Heather Bowers, second season (87-15-9)
League finish: Second in Southwest 10 Conference
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2018).
Best wins: 3-1 over No. 2 Camden-Frontier in Quarterfinal, 3-0 over No. 3 Battle Creek St. Philip in Regional Final, 2-0 over Division 2 honorable mention Hopkins, 3-0 over Sturgis.
Players to watch: Anna Smith, 5-9 jr. OH (660 kills, .380 hitting %, 104 aces, 73 blocks, 304 digs); Taylor Heitkamp, 5-8 sr. MB (263 kills, 105 aces); Gracie Russell, 5-3 sr. S (1,224 assists, 276 digs).
Finals forecast: Mendon has lost just one set over six postseason matches despite facing the Nos. 2 and 3 teams over the last two rounds, and another championship would give former Hornets’ standout Bowers her second in two seasons to begin her head coaching career. Smith and junior middle Andrea Hoffman (210 kills, 71 blocks) are the only starters back from last season’s Final, but they’re significant. Smith made the all-state third team as a freshman before moving up to the first team last fall. Mendon did finish second in its league, but to Division 3 No. 8 Centreville.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 35-4-3, No. 10
Coach: Ellen Perry, 27th season (630-414-155)
League finishes: First in Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference and second in Straits Area Conference
Championship history: Upper Peninsula Class A-B-C champion 1996, runner-up 1995 and 1997.
Best wins: 3-1 over honorable mention Carney-Nadeau in the Quarterfinal, 3-1 over Onaway in the Regional Final, 3-1 over Division 3 honorable mention Manistique.
Players to watch: Nina Alpers, 6-0 sr. MH (360 kills, 84 aces, 63 blocks, 318 digs); Sara Beelen, 5-9 jr. OH (251 kills, 546 digs, 116 aces); Brooklynn Besteman, 5-9 soph. M (222 kills, 75 aces).
Finals forecast: Rudyard won its first Regional title in 2017 and has taken the next step by earning its first Semifinal appearance despite graduating three players this spring who earned all-state recognition last year. (The Regional title and Semifinal berth are the first since the Upper and Lower Peninsulas joined for a combined MHSAA Tournament in 2000). The Bulldogs have lost just 19 sets this season and only two over five postseason matches. This is another team that could be in this mix for a few seasons; Alpers is the only senior. Junior Chesney Molina (603 assists) has handled most of the setting.
SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 29-7-4, No. 4
Coach: Mike Van Dyke, ninth season (176-134-18)
League finish: Tied for first in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 3-0 (District Final), 3-0 and 3-0 over No. 9 Plymouth Christian Academy; 3-1 over No. 7 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 3-2 over Division 3 No. 6 Brighton Charyl Stockwell Prep, 3-0 and 3-0 over Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, 2-0 over Detroit Cass Tech.
Players to watch: Emily Van Dyke
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.)