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)
Mendon Closes 2026 Season with Now-Familiar Finish - as Division 4 Champion
By
Tim Robinson
Special for MHSAA.com
June 13, 2026
EAST LANSING – There’s nothing like repeating as a state champion.
Just ask the Mendon softball team, which downed Brown City 6-2 to repeat in Division 4 on Saturday at Secchia Stadium.
But getting there, especially for the first time, is special, too, as Brown City learned during a first-of-its-kind season for the program.
Mendon, which won its first Finals title a year ago, got on top early against the Green Devils, scoring two runs in each of the first, second and fourth innings. The Hornets then turned things over to pitcher Rowan Allen, who allowed only three hits, walked two and struck out 14.
It was a big day for Allen after what she described as an inauspicious start.
“I didn't feel good when I woke up this morning,” she said. “But once we got to the Final, I started feeling good.”
The Hornets (32-3) were feeling better after taking a 6-0 lead. “I felt good when we were six runs up,” Mendon co-coach Steve Butler said.
Allen contributed to the good feelings with a two-run double in the second inning. She went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored three runs.
Brown City made a bid in the seventh inning, scoring a pair of runs before Allen got out of trouble with a final strikeout.
For the Green Devils, it was a season to savor. They had never gotten past the Regional rounds before.
“Last year, we didn’t have Maddie,” Brown City coach Scott Parr said, referring to senior pitcher Maddie Hohne, who missed last season with an injury. “That kid is tough. It’s going to be tough to replace her.”
Hohne struck out 10 for Brown City (26-12).
Mendon will need to replace Allen, too. She kept the Green Devils at bay.
“She has a phenomenal changeup,” Hohne said.
After Brown City scored in the seventh inning, Allen put the final touches on a repeat title.
“I knew I had to buckle down,” Allen said. “I knew I couldn’t give up. My defense was behind me. I just had to finish.”
Senior shortstop Jadyn Samson also had two hits and scored three runs, and senior center fielder Taya Bingaman had two hits and drove in a run. Senior catcher Cienna Nightingale also drove in a run; those three and Allen were the team’s only returning starters from a year ago.
PHOTOS (Top) Mendon’s Rowan Allen (33), Brynley Jungers (12) and Brooke Gerth (6) get ready to start an inning Saturday at Secchia Stadium. (Middle) Jadyn Samson (15) rounds third base as her coach signals her home.