GROSSE POINTE WOODS — This fall’s Catholic League girls volleyball finals staged at University Liggett High was a study in contrast.
Bloomfield Hills Marian won the Bishop (Central Division) trophy, its 16th league title dating back to 1978, the third in a row.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s girls won the Cardinal (AA Division) trophy, the first CHSL title of any sport for the girls since the formerly all-boys school transformed itself three years ago into a co-division format and welcomed girls.
The way they won differed sharply, too.
Marian (42-1) had little difficulty in disposing of archrival Farmington Hills Mercy (29-10) 25-19, 25-16, 25-16. It was the fourth time they faced one another this year.
St. Mary’s (22-9), on the other hand, up against the two time defending champ, Warren Regina (23-12), lost the first two sets 16-25 and 23-25, rallied to win the next two 25-14 and 28-26, and forced the fifth and deciding set, 15-12.
“You witnessed history,” said Eaglets coach Molly Campbell. “Wow! What a win. You don’t get too many times to come back from being two down, especially against a respected opponent.”
Sophomore 6-foot-1 Kadie Tarasiewicz, an All Catholic freshman a year ago, said she was “proud to be on such a great team. We worked so hard every single day for three months. This was our goal.” She’s been playing volleyball since the second grade at White Lake St. Patrick’s School.
Freshman Jillian Gibbs, a couple inches shorter than Tarasiewicz, started her volleyball career in the fourth grade at Northville Our Lady of Victory.
“This means the world,” she said. “We played as a family, we played as a team. We have great camaraderie. We respect each other.”
“We’re strong in the middle with those two,” Campbell said. “They both are very athletic.”
St. Mary’s, ranked No. 9 in Division 2, opens the MHSAA playoffs Wednesday, Nov. 2, against the winner of the Wixom St. Catherine of Siena and Detroit Country Day match.
Marian’s Miss Volleyball nominee, Ava Sarafa, chalked up 32 assists against Mercy, giving her a season total of 1,022 and 5,000-plus for her career.
The Mustangs, Division 1 No. 1, open their pursuit of a third consecutive state championship on Wednesday, Nov. 2, against Birmingham Groves.
“We’re fired up about making another run,” Sarafa said. “The last four years I’ve been surrounded by amazing, talented people. It’s been an honor for me. I wouldn’t want to spend high school anywhere else. The players, the coaching, the personalities on the team couldn’t match up to make a better place for me.”
She’s committed to Kentucky.
Coach Mayssa Cook provided another dimension to the team’s playoff hopes.
For the last two weeks, the Mustangs have been without two senior starters, Reagan Sass and Ella Schomer, who account for 40 and 39 blocks, respectively. Sass suffered a concussion when she was hit in the face attempting a block. Schomer sprained an ankle in the same game.
“I believe they will be back by (the game against Groves),” Cook said.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
Copy Permalink
