OLSM volleyball set to compete in Catholic League Bishop division

The Orchard Lake St. Mary's volleyball team, known as the Eaglets, is preparing to enter a new division in the Catholic League this season. After dominating the Cardinal Division for the past four years, the team will now face tougher competition in the Bishop Division. This change comes after the Eaglets won four consecutive Cardinal Division championships, dating back to 2022, and went undefeated in league play last season.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's is moving into the Bishop Division alongside powerhouses Farmington Hills Mercy and Bloomfield Hills Marian, as well as defending Division 2 state champion Birmingham-Detroit Country Day. The addition of St. Mary's and Country Day is seen as a positive for the Bishop Division, as it will showcase more Michigan-based volleyball programs and provide a stronger representation for the league.

Senior captain Avery Kapeller, a 17-year-old Georgetown commit, is ready for the team's newest challenge. She believes the move to the Bishop Division will allow the Eaglets to bring their skills to the next level and compete against better teams. Kapeller, who chose St. Mary's in 2023 to help shape the program's future, understands that the team will need to prove itself among established powers like Mercy and Marian.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's is also aiming to become the first girls program in school history to win a state title. The school has a rich history of success, with more than 40 MHSAA state titles across various sports. Head coach Ross Talbott believes this season's team has the potential to reach the finals at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, but acknowledges the challenge ahead as the new kid on the block.