The Northville Mustangs (34-2) varsity volleyball team will host a home playoff match against the Mercy Marlins (29-2) from Farmington Hills, MI today at 7 p.m. This match is part of the 2024 Michigan High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets for Division 1, organized by the MHSAA.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Michigan High School Volleyball
Who: Northville vs Mercy
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 Michigan High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets: MHSAA – Division 1
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Game preview: Northville vs Mercy

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season unfolds, two powerhouse teams—Mercy and Northville—are making waves with their exceptional performances and dominant records. Both teams have been impressive, with Mercy showcasing a 29-2 record and Northville boasting a 34-2 tally. But it’s not just about the wins; their stats and player performances paint a picture of high-level competition and skill. Let’s break down their records, key players, and their head-to-head comparisons.

Records and Rankings

Both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues, with Northville leading the charge with a perfect 9-0 league record and an impressive 34-2 overall performance. Mercy, meanwhile, has also been exceptional, holding a 29-2 overall record and maintaining an unblemished 1-0 record in league play.

• Mercy (24-25)
  • Overall: 29-2
  • League: 1-0
  • Home: 11-0
  • Away: 5-0
  • Neutral: 13-2
  • Win %: .935
  • League %: 1.000
• Northville (24-25)
  • Overall: 34-2
  • League: 9-0
  • Home: 10-1
  • Away: 8-0
  • Neutral: 16-1
  • Win %: .944
  • League %: 1.000

Both teams have dominated their home and away games, with Mercy undefeated at home and Northville showing a near-perfect record in both away and neutral-site matches.

Scoring Averages and Team Comparisons

Looking at team performance, both squads are offensive juggernauts. Mercy averages 24.5 points per set in the first game of matches and continues to maintain consistency across the board. Northville, however, has a slight edge in scoring, particularly in the 4th set, where they average 25.0 points per set.

Mercy Scoring Averages:

• S1: 24.5
• S2: 24.0
• S3: 21.4
• Wins: 2.1

Northville Scoring Averages:

• S1: 24.6
• S2: 24.7
• S3: 21.4
• S4: 25.0
• Wins: 2.3

In terms of team statistics, Northville outperforms Mercy in almost every category. Northville has a significant lead in kills (1115 vs. 391), serving aces (263 vs. 82), digs (1233 vs. 418), assists (1056 vs. 370), and receptions (1183 vs. 441). However, Mercy remains competitive, with standout individual performances making them a tough opponent.

Top Players to Watch

Both teams feature exceptional talent, with standout players who have been crucial to their success this season.

• Mercy:
  • Kate Kalczynski leads the team with 132 kills and 150 receptions, showing her all-around capabilities.
  • Ella Andrews has contributed significantly with 29 total blocks.
  • Maya Zarow leads the team in serving aces, with 21 to her name.
  • Campbell Flynn has been the playmaker, recording 295 assists.
• Northville:
  • Mallory Reck has been a dominant force with 317 kills, 253 digs, and 67 serving aces.
  • Kaylyn Tuck leads the team with 41 total blocks.
  • Molly Reck adds a solid 67 serving aces and 253 digs.
  • Ella Craggs has accumulated 758 assists, playing a key role in Northville’s offensive success.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When it comes to common opponents, both Mercy and Northville have dominated. Mercy holds a 6-0 record against shared opponents, while Northville remains perfect at 10-0. Both teams have defeated the same teams with commanding performances, but Northville has faced a slightly more challenging schedule.

Common Opponents:

• Mercy and Northville both defeated South Lyon, Utica Eisenhower, Rockford, and Hudsonville.
• Mercy defeated Forest Hills Northern, while Northville handled Fenton.

Both teams have shown their dominance in the state, but Mercy has faced a tougher challenge with a stronger out-of-state schedule (4-2) compared to Northville’s flawless 34-2 record.

Playoff Picture

While both teams have been dominant throughout the regular season, it is their playoff performances that will ultimately define their seasons. Mercy has yet to play a playoff game, but Northville enters the playoffs with an impressive 25-0 record in-state. Their performance in the upcoming postseason will be crucial in determining which team emerges as the state champion.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 volleyball season has shaped up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with Mercy and Northville standing out as two of the top teams in the state. Both squads have proven themselves capable of dominating their competition, but it’s their head-to-head matchup, playoff performances, and individual players that will determine who finishes at the top. Whether you’re rooting for Mercy’s consistency or Northville’s scoring depth, one thing is clear: this season is far from over, and both teams will be vying for supremacy in the final stretch of the year.