Volleyball wins 25th Regional Championship, Falls in Quarterfinal
November 15, 2023
DEARBORN, MI – Based on what outside expectations were coming into the 2023 season, the Marian varsity volleyball squad overachieved.
After graduating eight seniors, four of which went on to collegiate volleyball careers, it would be easy for outsiders to believe that the Mustangs would take a step back in 2023.
Inside the team, expectations were never higher.
In addition to seniors Dani Mertz and Maggie Scott, an amazing seven freshmen made the varsity squad including: Cece Murray, Joelle Mio, Leah Bongiovanni, Calli LeFevre, Samantha Monroe, Sophia Smith and Madison Monroe.
Junior outside hitter Izzy Busignani took a huge step forward as the Mustangs' prime weapon on the attack. Similarly, sophomore Allie Davison had massive shoes to fill, replacing consensus All-American Ava Sarafa (University of Kentucky) at setter while junior Maria Odeesh replaced national All-Region libero Lauren Heming in the back row.
Under the direction of 6th year head coach Mayssa Cook, Marian advanced to the finals of the Lake Orion Tournament and the Program Invite before losing to Brighton (2-1) and Mercy (2-0), respectively.
The veteran Mercy Marlins would also clip Marian at home on senior night, 3-1 in what would end up being the Mustangs' only loss in Catholic League play.
Marian would lose to top-ranked Northville (2-0) in the finals of the Northville Tournament before avenging their loss to Mercy in the Catholic League Bishop Division Tournament Semifinal.
New CHSL member Toledo St. Ursula was an extremely tough out during the regular season. The Mustangs traveled to Ursula in late September and came away with a 3-2 victory. St. Ursula would go on to advance to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division 1 state semifinal before falling to Olentangy Orange High School.
The two squads met again in the Bishop Division Final. In what was one of the best matches of the year, Marian came away with a 3-1 win for their 18th CHSL championship in school history and their fourth consecutive.
Marian again bested Mercy (2-0) in the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament, along with six other top programs to claim the tournament hardware.
After losing a stunner to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 3-1, the youthful Mustangs once again rose to the occasion, winning the East vs. West Tournament in Lowell, beating state powers Clarkston (2-1), Forest Hills Northern (2-0) and Portage Northern (2-0).
Marian hosted the MHSAA District, winning the school's 32nd District title without dropping a set to cross town rivals, Seaholm, Groves and Berkley.
Warren Woods Tower and Grosse Pointe South were the opponents in the MHSAA Regional tournament. Again, Marian did not drop a set on their way to Marian's 25th Regional crown.
For the fifth time this season, Marian and Mercy met on the volleyball court during the 2023 season – This time with a trip to Battle Creek on the line.
Mercy was all business from the start, opening up a 5-0 lead en route to 25-17 first set win. Marian clawed back in the second set, but falling 27-25. Mercy advanced to the Division 1 semifinal with a 25-21 third set statement.
For the first time since 2019, Marian will not be represented in the state championship match, finishing 44-8 overall and 5-1 in the CHSL Central Division.
Through the Regional Round, Sophia Smith tallied 203 kills, Dani Mertz recorded 247, Calli LeFevre had 334 and junior state player of the year candidate Izzy Busignani recorded 621 kills on the season.
Sophomore Allie Davison led Marian with 86 service aces and 1300 assists and had 100 kills of her own.
Busignani recorded 75 aces and hit a team-high .308 through the Regional round.
In addition to 150 kills, sophomore middle blocker Jayla Zayti hit a solid .233 and recorded a team-high 91 blocks.
While Busignani led Marian with 350 digs, junior defensive specialist Maria Odeesh paced Marian with 324 digs. Davison, Mertz, LeFevre and Smith all recorded over 200 digs.
While more post-season awards will be announced following state finals, Busignani, Mertz, Odeesh, Davison, LeFevre and Smith were each named all-Region by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association (MIVCA).
Additionally, Busignani, Mertz and Odeesh were named All-Catholic earlier this season while LeFevre, Smith and Davison were tabbed all-League.
