BATTLE CREEK — It took one gutty performance after another, but Bloomfield Hills Marian finally did it.
In October, finally, the No. 3-rated Mustangs beat arch-rival No. 1-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy for the first time in three years in a tense five-set thriller for the Catholic League championship.
In November, stunningly, just a couple of weeks later, Marian knocked Mercy out of their high perch by outlasting the Marlins in another five-set showdown to win the MHSAA regional title and advance to the quarterfinals.
They got the game in just before another COVID-19 shutdown was ordered. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s came and went before the MHSAA sounded an all-clear to resume the completion of its fall sports agenda.
So, on Jan. 15, in another five-set match, Marian rallied from behind to take care of an upset-minded Clarkston squad 22-25, 25-18, 11-25, 25-21,15-11.
The next day was the main course, the Division 1 finale against Lowell. Calm, cool and collected, Marian swept Lowell 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 to put a third state trophy in the display case alongside those won in 2009 and 2010.
But this one was special. Junior outside hitter Ava Brizard explained why.
“It was so devastating to hear that (athletic director Dave Feldman) passed away the night before we were supposed to go to Battle Creek ... He loved volleyball so much, and we know that. It was just kind of more fuel to our fire to win a state championship, as if we didn’t have enough already ... we know he’s definitely smiling and jumping around up in heaven, cheering us on.”
Brizard’s dominance at the net was too much for Lowell to contain. She finished with 29 kills compared to just four errors on 52 attacks, a .481 percentage. Her last three kills provided the final three points of the match.
“We call her our finisher, our closer,” coach Mayssa Cook said.
Brizard was fed by Ava Sarafa, who finished the match with 39 assists. Ella Schomer added eight kills and 11 digs for the Mustangs, while Lauren Heming had 15 digs.
Brizard also scored the last two points in the win against Clarkston. She had 22 kills and 14 digs. Sarafa had 43 assists. Heming had 29 digs from her libero position.
Marian’s entire roster will be back next year.
Remember Mercy? Well, they’ve been practicing with another kind of round ball, a basketball. No doubt on their collective mind are a couple of dates on the schedule: Feb. 13 when Mercy travels to Marian and Feb. 17, they meet again at Mercy.
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
