Skip to main content
Home
Mercy High School
  • Parents
  • Students
  • Alumnae
  • Contact
  • Mission
    • Mission & Vision
    • Core Values
    • Profile of the Graduate
    • Office of Mission & Ministry
      • Service Program
      • Spiritual Retreats
      • Activities
    • History & Traditions
    • Prayer Request
    • Girls' School Advantage
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Strategic Plan
    • Board of Trustees
  • Admissions
    • Be a Mercy Girl
    • Prospective Student Inquiry
    • We Are Mercy Brochure
    • Shadow a Student
    • Apply Today
    • Girls' School Advantage
    • Summer Camps
    • Prospective Family Events
    • High School Placement Test
    • Financial Aid Program
    • Scholarships
    • Open House
    • Legacy of Achievement
    • Core Values
    • Profile of the Graduate
    • Tuition
    • School Statistics
    • AMES Program
    • Technology
    • Virtual Tour
  • Academics
    • 2025 Honors Convocation
    • Legacy of Achievement
    • Counseling
      • Graduating Class Profile
      • SCOIR
      • Online Courses
      • College Planning
      • College Admission Testing
      • Alumna Transcript Request
      • Graduation Verification
    • Powerschool
    • Schoology
    • Curriculum & Grading
    • Course Planning Guide
    • Apple Distinguished School
    • Honors & Accolades
    • McAuley Academic Center*
    • AMES Program
    • Book Purchasing & Selling
  • School Life
    • Student Activities
    • Office of Mission & Ministry
      • Service Program
      • Spiritual Retreats
      • Activities
    • Student & Family Handbook
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Messenger School News
    • Marlins Making Headlines
    • Cafeteria
    • Photo Gallery
    • Counseling
    • Social Media
    • Transportation
    • Newsprint
    • Calendar
    • Announcements
  • Athletics
  • Giving
    • Advancement Office
    • Donate Online
    • Latest Advancement News
    • Ways to Give
    • Annual Giving
    • Golf Outing
    • Endowments & Scholarships
    • Planned Giving
    • Special Fundraising Projects
      • Alumnae Brag Book
    • Donor Recognition
      • Press Proof
      • Adopt a Seat
      • Annual Report
      • Naming Opportunities
      • Annual Sponsorship Program
    • Special Events
      • 2025 Golf Outing
      • Maroon & Gold Raffle
      • Annual Auction
      • Mercy High School 75th Anniversary Book
    • Reward Programs

Students and Headlines Page Title

Wild defensive scramble highlights November Girls Play of the Month

Published on 12/12/2023

Wild defensive scramble highlights November Girls Play of the Month

USA TODAY

Published Dec. 11, 2023

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards is pleased to announce its Girls Play of the Month winner for November!

This play takes us to Michigan’s Division I state volleyball championship match, played Nov. 18, between Mercy High School and Forest Hills Northern. The girls from Mercy were fighting for their season, down two sets to one, with star freshman Kate Kalczynski at the service line when a wild scramble broke out.

This one was a doozy. See it here for yourself:

How it happened

Forest Hills received the initial serve and worked the ball to senior Elana Erickson, who crushed a hit from the outside. But Kalczynski kept the play alive with a fantastic defensive effort, selling out for the initial dig.

That was just the start of what could be the play of the year.

Nebraska-bound setter Campbell Flynn sold out with a diving effort of her own, punching the ball up with her left fist before crashing to the court. That set up Angie Butler, who alertly tracked the ball and got it over — getting a little help from the net as the ball caromed over for the kill. It was a fitting moment and final match for Butler, a junior, who inspired teammates this season while playing through a torn meniscus in her knee.

Mercy went on to force a decisive fifth set and rolled from there, celebrating the program's second state championship since 2019.

This play is now a nominee for 2024 Girls National Play of the Year

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards is the largest high school sports recognition program in the country, honoring athletes from all 50 states. Top student-athletes in over 30 sports will be announced in teams of 25 nominees throughout this 2023-24 academic year, culminating with player of the year announcements in each sport during this summer's big event.

 

 

Headlines
Announcements
Other

             

mhs@mhsmi.org | 248-476-8020 | 29300 W. 11 Mile Road • Farmington Hills, MI • 48336-1409

Copyright © 2025 Mercy High School. All rights reserved worldwide. | Site by Brainwrap LLC