I was a little stunned when I noticed this week that this area has never had a Class A or B state volleyball champion. Realizing a few programs -- mostly on the west side of the state -- dominate this sport ever year, the recent lack didn't surprise me. But never?
So I ask you now ... what has to happen for that to change? And in an area that has always been strong in girls basketball, is improvement happening more quickly now that volleyball has moved to the fall?
A little background: Volleyball state championships were first awarded by the MHSAA in 1976. The area's last state championships in any class came in 1990, when Saranac won Class C and Potterville won Class D (St. Louis won more recently and was previously considered part of the State Journal coverage area).
Although Lakewood is regularly considered a Class B state power, while Okemos has had its moments in A and DeWitt in B, no area team has played in a state final in either of those classes since Charlotte's back-to-back appearances in Class B in 1996-97. Especially coming from an area featuring a number of high-achieving female athletes every year, this seems a bit surprising. And Mid-Michigan has had some outstanding volleyball players lately too -- East Lansing's Heather Brooks became an All-American at North Carolina, and Okemos' Allison Ianni starred at Michigan State and Pacific, among others.
Is it because basketball has dominated this part of the state, getting more of the talented athletes? Or are the Marysvilles and East Kentwoods and Battle Creek St. Philips just too powerful every year? And the other point that had me thinking about this in the first place was how the CAAC went to a double round-robin schedule this fall, taking away opportunities for teams to face stronger foes from outside the area. Lakewood for one has relied on those outside tournaments to get ready for the postseason. Is the key for more schools to play in more of those competitive Saturday events?
Rest assured, my questions are in no way meant to be critical. But it's certainly a conversation worth having. Feel free to add to it below.
High school sports editor 
