Ramping Up for Prepapalooza 2014

May 27, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Over the next five days, thousands of teams representing more than 700 MHSAA high schools will compete for championships at the District, Regional and Finals levels in 11 sports in what annually is the busiest week in Michigan high school sports. 

MHSAA.com and Second Half are the places to be for results, coverage and live video from championship events all over both Peninsulas. 

Total, 26 Finals champions will be crowned in girls and boys tennis, girls and boys track and field and Upper Peninsula girls and boys golf, with 36 Regional champions rewarded in girls and boys lacrosse and Lower Peninsula boys golf and 320 winners earning trophies in softball, baseball and girls soccer. All tournament rounds combined, more than 8,000 medals will be presented to individual winners or contributors on those team champions.

Game scores as they are reported for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse will be available on the MHSAA Score Center throughout the week. Full results from golf Regionals also will be posted over the next five days, as will Finals tennis and golf results as we receive them from Lower and Upper Peninsula hosts (Lower Peninsula tennis opening rounds late Friday evening). Track and Field Finals results will be posted Saturday evening. 

All MHSAA Finals from both peninsulas will be covered with stories and photos on Second Half by a crew of valuable correspondents from around the state. Second Half will continue its coverage at the Lacrosse and LP Boys Golf Finals on June 14 and the Baseball, Softball and Girls Soccer Finals from June 19-21. 

Live championship races from all seven sites of MHSAA Track and Field Finals will be available on a subscription basis on MHSAA.TV, beginning with the 3,200-meter relays at 10 a.m. at each site. The rest of the Upper Peninsula races then will continue, with Lower Peninsula championship races beginning again at 1 p.m. Highlights from this week's golf and tennis championship events will debut on MHSAA.TV in July. 

PHOTOS: (Top) Runners push toward the finish during the 2013 LP Division 3 Final. (Middle) Members of the Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart tennis team hold up number ones to signify their place at last season's LP Division 4 Final.

Story in Photos: 2025 Volleyball Division 1 & 4 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 20, 2025

BATTLE CREEK – The first day of these MHSAA Girls Volleyball Semifinals saw three of four matches go five sets over 10 hours at Kellogg Arena, with the dramatic moments starting early and ending when the final point hit the floor.

All of the excitement set up Saturday's Division 1 and 4 championship matches, and possibilities for first-time champions in both – but with highly-ranked contenders hoping to stand in the way of those aspirations.  

Saturday’s first two title matches will see the following face off:

10 a.m. – Division 4 – Fowler (35-8-2) vs. Mendon (38-6-1)
Noon – Division 1 – Farmington Hills Mercy (41-5-3) vs. Bloomfield Hills (43-6-1)

Mendon is seeking its first Finals championship since 2019, and Fowler its first in program history. They finished Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final regular-season coaches poll.

Mercy, No. 3 in the final Division 1 rankings, most recently won the Division 1 title in 2023. No. 2 Bloomfield Hills has never won a Finals title – but ended an incredible run by top-ranked Rockford on Thursday to earn the opportunity. 

Division 2 and 3 Semifinals will be played Friday. Click here for more.

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Thursday’s action.

Bloomfield Hills senior Kayla Nwabueze sends a kill attempt into a Rockford block during the Black Hawks' 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Rockford.

Bloomfield Hills senior Kayla Nwabueze (far right) sends a kill attempt into a Rockford block during the Black Hawks' 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Rockford. Nwabueze finished with 43 kills, which are tied for second-most for a single match during the MHSAA Semifinals or Finals since the start of the rally scoring era in 2004-05. 

Rockford senior Liv Hosford (1) sends a kill attempt into the block of Bloomfield Hills junior Brynn Wilcox (2) and freshman Emily Nwabueze (8). Hosford had 23 kills for the Rams, who finished 46-2-1.

Farmington Hills Mercy junior Kate Kalcynski (2) attempts to slam a kill past Byron Center senior Lainey VanTol (5) and junior Cara Crittendon during the Marlins’ 25-27, 24-26, 25-16, 25-17, 16-14 victory. Kalcynski totaled 30 kills and 21 digs.

Farmington Hills Mercy junior Kate Kalcynski (2) attempts to slam a kill past Byron Center senior Lainey VanTol (5) and junior Cara Crittendon during the Marlins’ 25-27, 24-26, 25-16, 25-17, 16-14 victory. Kalcynski totaled 30 kills and 21 digs.

Byron Center junior Caitlin Hartson (1) attempts to get a kill over the Mercy block of Kalczynski and sophomore McKenzie Andrews (12).

Byron Center junior Caitlin Hartson (1) attempts to get a kill over the Mercy block of Kalczynski and sophomore McKenzie Andrews (12). Hartson finished with 16 kills as the Bulldogs ended their season 37-6-2.

Mendon junior Karyssa Holtz (3) sets as teammates Cienna Nightingale (9) and Sabrina Monroy make their moves toward the net.

Mendon junior Karyssa Holtz (3) sets as teammates Cienna Nightingale (9) and Sabrina Monroy make their moves toward the net. Holtz finished with 40 assists, Nightingale had six kills and Monroy had four in Mendon’s 25-18, 25-22, 27-25 win.

Ubly senior Sophi Heleski (4) elevates for a kill attempt.

Ubly senior Sophi Heleski (4) elevates for a kill attempt. She finished with three kills and four digs for the Bearcats (30-11-4).

Fowler players celebrate their 26-24, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 15-8 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park in the day’s first match.

Fowler players celebrate their 26-24, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 15-8 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park in the day’s first match.

Forest Park junior Vienna Price (4) sets with senior Elsie Williams (2) ready for the next attack

Forest Park junior Vienna Price (4) sets with senior Elsie Williams (2) ready for the next attack. Price had 17 assists and Williams had 32. The Trojans finished this season 42-2.

TOP PHOTO Bloomfield Hills players celebrate their five-set comeback win over Rockford on Thursday at Kellogg Arena.