BATTLE CREEK – The boys were invited to the court.
Boys' volleyball will be an official sport for Michigan's high school varsity teams starting in the 2025-26 school year.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association Representative Council approved the addition of boys volleyball to the lineup of tournament competitions sponsored by the MHSAA late last week.
“That was great news,” Calhoun Christian coach Corey Williams said. For the past four years, he has led Battle Creek's co-op team, which includes several city schools that play in a statewide club league. “I think this news will ignite the growth of the sport. We'll see a lot more teams from the north who aren't participating yet start to really buy in. And we'll see a lot more big schools who aren't participating yet. You'll see some. Men's volleyball isn't supported yet, but start participating.
“It's going to be great for boys who are looking for another sport in the spring. I think it's also going to be an exciting post-high school opportunity for kids who want to play beyond high school.”
more; City high school boys team proves that volleyball is no longer just a girl's sport
Beginning in 2025-2026, men's volleyball and women's field hockey will be added to the MHSAA's roster of sponsored sports. Men's volleyball is held in the spring. This will be the first two sports added to the MHSAA tournament schedule since girls and boys lacrosse were added to the lineup during the 2004-2025 school year.
As part of the Michigan Boys Volleyball League, district tournaments were held in the city this week, with several area club teams participating. The Battle Creek Central/Lakeview Co-op team competed in the Division 1 district at Battle Creek Central High School. Division 2 district action at St. Philip featured Calhoun Christian/St. Phillip Co-op played against Battle Creek Academy. Gull Lake also had a team involved in that area.
“We've seen continued growth in the sport over the past few years, and I think that's why things like this are happening,” Williams said. “Last year, we at Calhoun Christian formed a co-op with St. Philip, Harper Creek and Gull Lake. This year, that co-op was the catalyst for growth here, so Gull Lake separated. Gull Lake had enough players and school support to make it happen, and Harper Creek had a similar performance but didn't have enough players to join the team. If you look at this news, you'll see that Harper Creek will have a full team next year.”
Calhoun Christian Cooperative also had players from Olivet, as well as St. Philip and Harper Creek, participate this year. The Battle Creek Central/Lakeview Cooperative remains strong and growing, and Battle Creek Academy has established a program.
Volleyball has long been one of Battle Creek's most popular sports, with the state championship finals also played in town, and one of the state's most productive programs calling St. Philip home, and women's volleyball He has won a state record 22 state titles.
“The addition of men's volleyball players is really exciting. We've seen how men's volleyball players have developed in the club scene over the last few years,” said longtime St. Philip's volleyball coach. Vicki Groat said. I'm currently playing club volleyball.
Groat has been involved in volleyball all her life and has played for her mother, Sheila Guerra. When Sheila Guerra coached at St. Philip, she was a high school volleyball pioneer and Hall of Famer.
“My mom used to coach boys' volleyball in the summer, even though it wasn't a high school sport. Kellogg Community College had boys' volleyball back then, so volleyball has kind of come full circle,” Groat said. he said. . “I think there's a bright future for boys volleyball in our state. When you look at the kids, the boys are seriously into volleyball. Right now, we're hosting a district here in town. But there's some good volleyball and some not-so-good volleyball. But everyone announced during the game that it's going to be an MHSAA sport, so I'm glad the players are being given this opportunity.”
Williams was a little surprised that the MHSAA made this announcement this year.
“We had a meeting with the league a week before the district tournament and we heard that this is not a good thing,” Williams said. “So I was surprised but very happy to hear that they voted in favor of its adoption.
“Kids who graduate this year or next are going to miss out on the opportunity to play in officially sanctioned tournaments, but they're going to know they helped start something and , this is good news for our future players.'' We are confident we will see significant growth across the state as it becomes an official sport of the MHSAA. ”
Please contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. X/ Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
