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Bloomfield Hills Marian seniors Ava Sarafa, left, and Reagan Sass, right, go up for a block against Farmington Hills Mercy Sept. 28 at Mercy High School.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — There’s an expectation set when a school wins two straight state championships.
Marian is a storied program with a history of success in multiple sports, but its volleyball program has been at the forefront of its recent success.
After winning the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division One State Championship in 2021 and 2020, Marian has returned this season with its eyes on a third-straight title.
Marian graduated elite-level talent in Ava Brizard, Sarah Sylvester and Sophia Treder last season, leaving shoes to fill on and off the court.
Marian coach Mayssa Cook, who was named National High School Coach of the Year in 2021, said last year’s depth has made a significant impact this season.
“We had a lot of depth on our bench last year, and a lot of girls that are a part of this success have been putting time in the gym from anywhere from one-to-three years,” Marian coach Mayssa Cook said. “Success breeds success, and good players bring good players.”
A part of the team’s depth last year was Isabelle Busignani, who has filled in as a sophomore this year.
Busignani was a contributor off the bench, but has stepped into a pivotal role for Marian.
“Izzy just kind of patiently sat on the bench, was a great cheerleader, was a great supporter, and I got her in often, but probably not as much as she deserved,” Cook said. “She’s done a great job filling in for Ava Brizard and Sophia Treder.”
Led by senior team captains and Miss Volleyball finalists Ava Sarafa and Ella Schomer, Marian picked up right where it left off last year with Busignani, senior Reagan Sass, senior Lauren Heming and junior Mckenzie Swanson all contributing.
While Marian may not possess the same depth as last year, Sarafa, a University of Kentucky commit and 2021 first team all-state honoree, said Marian’s success has been based on every player.
“I think when we first started off the season, we did lose a lot of talent, but we had a lot of back strengths,” Sarafa said. “I think everyone realized that it wasn’t going to be just one or two players running the show, but a whole team effort.”
Junior Danielle Mertz and senior Molly Banta have been key contributors for Marian this season.
Marian, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the state according to the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association, has a 30-1 record and is ranked No. 2 in the country.
Marian showed a glimpse of vulnerability on Oct. 16 when it fell to Northville at the Beast of the East Tournament at the United Wholesale Sports Complex in Pontiac, but it speaks volumes when one loss is enough to raise an eyebrow.
The Beast of the East Tournament featured some of the best teams in the state with 15 teams being ranked in the top-10 in their respective divisions according to the MIVCA.
“The talent there is almost going to reignite the hunger for what their end goal is this season, and that’s another state title,” Cook said.
Marian has grown accustomed to getting everyone’s best, and it will be the same story when Marian enters the state playoffs.
“These current seniors have two state titles under their belt, and there isn’t a team in the state that has that. That kind of pressure and experience can’t be measured,” Cook said. “We’ve had that pressure and we’ve been there before. They’ve had the targets on their backs for a while.”
