Source: C & G Newspapers

Author: Jason Carmel Davis

Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball coach Loretta Vogel admits she doesn’t keep track of the championships her team wins.

Nevertheless, the Marlins added another Catholic High School League tournament title to their trophy case with a 3-0 win over Bloomfield Hills Marian Oct. 29 in the CHSL Bishop tournament final at Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

“We really do just take it one game at a time,” said Vogel, whose team moved to 50-1 on the season with the win. “It’s always nice for us to be here and to be in a position to win these matches and compete for championships, but our focus is always on just improving with each game.”

Mercy has now won three straight CHSL tournament titles and 10 since 1975. 

The Marlins took game one 25-15 and led for all but one point.

Game two was the most competitive of the match, with 12 ties and seven lead changes taking place in the frame. Marian (36-7) led for the early stages of the match. Mercy took the lead for good at 16-15 and went on to take game two 25-21.

The Marlins, ranked No. 1 in the state for much of the season by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association, dominated much of game three, jumping out to a 21-2 lead before winning the game 25-7.

“I don’t think any of us were happy with how the second game went,” Vogel said. “We talked about making some adjustments and that showed in the third game.”

The match marked the fourth time this season Mercy and Marian met. Mustangs coach Mayssa Cook said her team played much better in the previous three matchups.

“Games one and three, that wasn’t our team,” Cook said. “We’re all a bit disappointment in the way we played. Game two was really competitive. 

“We’ll just have to work out the kinks. Hopefully we take care of our business in districts and hope for another chance at them in regionals.”

Mercy was led by University of Michigan recruit Jess Mruzak and Michigan State University recruit Julia Bishop. Vogel praised the supporting cast for making plays and contributing in various ways.

“Our players, we always want them to be ready to contribute,” Vogel said. “Everybody did well tonight. I’m proud of the girls.”