Did you see that? (11/5-11/11)
November 13, 2012
Upsets all over the volleyball Regional brackets were among the most stunning highlights from the week’s non-football action across the state.
Volleyball
Upset of the week: In arguably the biggest surprise in any sport last week – football included – Class A honorable mention Grand Rapids Christian downed No. 1 and seemingly unstoppable Richland Gull Lake in five games to claim the Regional title at Portage Northern. The Eagles trailed two games to one before winning the final two. (Grand Rapids Press)
Upset, part II: Unranked Birmingham Seaholm added to its previous elimination of No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian by finishing a Class A Regional title by beating No. 2 Clarkston in three games. The Maples didn’t allow the Wolves to score more than 18 points in any of the three games. (Oakland Press)
Vikings sail on: Lakewood, the No. 1 team in Class B, trailed No. 3 Ada Forest Hills Eastern after three games. But the Vikings again finished strong to claim their fourth win over a ranked opponent of this tournament run. (Ionia Sentinel-Standard)
USA, all the way: Unionville-Sebewaing also pulled off a sizable upset, in Class C, claiming its second Regional title ever by defeating No. 2 St. Louis. The Patriots, an honorable mention in the poll, dropped the first game before coming back to win the next three. (Bay City Times)
First-time title: Powered by 6-foot-5 middle Abby Cole, Grand Haven claimed its first Regional title by sweeping Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central in Class A. Cole also was a star on the Buccaneers’ Class A Final basketball championship team last winter. (Grand Haven Tribune)
Swimming and diving
Milan tops in SMISL: Most swimming and diving leagues finished up conference competition two weekends ago. But Milan – an honorable mention in Division 2 – claimed one of the final meet titles, in the Southeasterm Michigan Independent Swimming League. Milan took only two first places, but edged Division 2 honorable mention Temperance Bedford, with Division 3 No. 7 Adrian finishing third and Division 3 No. 8 Tecumseh coming in fourth. (Monroe Evening News)
Soccer
Mr. Soccer is Mr. Lewis: Rockford’s Dewey Lewis was named this season’s Mr. Soccer by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association. Lewis was a four-year varsity player for the Rams, and will play next season at Michigan State. (Grand Rapids Press)
Team of the Month: Reese Girls Volleyball
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 10, 2021
Saturday will mark three weeks since Reese completed an almost astonishing comeback to win its first MHSAA Volleyball Finals championship.
But the Rockets are still riding high like it happened yesterday – and there’s no reason to end the celebration any time soon.
As volleyball coach Angie Compton looked into the crowd during Thursday’s girls basketball game, she saw a sea of Reese championship shirts – many worn by people she’s never seen before.
“I’ll see people out, and they’re still congratulating us. The girls (Thursday) are like, ‘Oh my God, everybody is wearing our championship shirts today – the town must have all gotten them,’” Compton said. “I think so many alumni are just super excited about it. The school is still so excited for us, and other students, they know it’s a really big deal. It’s really given us something fun, and some pride.”
Reese’s volleyball team – the MHSAA/Applebee’s “Team of the Month” for November – gave us an unforgettable comeback that likely will be brought up for years to come when discussing the tournament’s most extraordinary finishes.
It’s not that the Rockets won, but how:
For starters, the Finals championship was the school’s first since the boys cross country team’s title in 1964.
Reese was up against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, which had won the previous two Division 3 championships and five titles total over the last 11 seasons.
The Rockets, meanwhile, had the day before played in their second Semifinal ever and first since 2010.
Reese then lost the first two sets to the Kestrels, 25-18 and 25-19.
And then – as the story was told – the Rockets broke into some unexpected song and dance, keeping things light, and won the next two sets 25-15 and 25-21 and then the final two points of the fifth to clinch at 16-14.
Learning to find the fun in those moments, even the toughest ones, had been part of the team’s mental preparation earlier in the season, and those lessons clearly paid off. The Rockets didn’t enter the match focusing on St. Mary’s past successes, and were able to bounce back midway through the match when it seemed this golden opportunity was all but lost.
“A few years ago, if my team was in this position, I would’ve had a totally different demeanor about it – get refocused, this is what we need to do … it would have been a different talk,” Compton said of climbing out of the 0-2 deficit. “It’s because of this team, and what they respond to. … I think it’s amazing.”
Senior Maddi Osantowski’s 34 kills were the fourth-most in a championship match, senior Josie Johnson’s 29 digs tied for fourth, and senior Sarah Gray also made that digs list with 21. Senior Aydan Dalak – Compton’s daughter – just missed the list for most assists in a Final with 42.
Osantowski was named to the all-state first team after the season, while Dalak made the second and Johnson earned an honorable mention.
Eight seniors total anchored the team, which finished 35-5-1.
Past Teams of the Month, 2021-22
October: Birmingham Groves boys tennis - Read