FARMINGTON HILLS Farmington Hills Mercy coach Loretta Vogel and her squad finally had a chance to catch their breath after Mercy (32-15-3) defeated Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in five sets at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Championship Nov.
Farmington Hills Mercy wasn’t just attempting to secure its second volleyball state championship for itself on Saturday. The Marlins also were attempting to keep up an impressive streak for both the Catholic League and for Oakland County.
Down two sets in the final to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, Mercy rallied to take the final three sets and win their second championship in program history, 13-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12.
On Friday, Campbell Flynn’s play and presence lifted the Marlins while getting in the heads of the Clarkston Wolves, as she led Mercy to a 25-23, 25-13, 25-20 victory in the Division 1 semifinal at Kellogg Arena.
There’s no question that a young Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball squad grew by leaps and bounds throughout the season, helping spur them on a run that’s taken them to the semifinals in Battle Creek for the first time since the 2019 title team. But there’s also no question that they got immeasurably better with one re-addition near the start of the postseason.