The Michigan High School Athletic Association announced on April 14 the start of its spring sports season, featuring the debut of boys volleyball as an MHSAA-sponsored tournament sport. This season includes competition in 12 sports with an estimated 110,000 athletes from member high schools.
Boys volleyball joins the lineup this year, with 117 schools participating in the first official MHSAA Tournament for the sport. Teams are divided into Divisions 1 and 2, competing across 16 regionals. Winners will advance to quarterfinals on June 2, followed by semifinals and finals at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena on June 5 and June 6.
Another change this spring affects Lower Peninsula girls tennis. The finals for all four divisions will now take place at Midland Tennis Center over a two-week period as part of a pilot program. Division play is scheduled between May 27 and June 6.
Several rule changes have also been introduced this season to enhance safety and sportsmanship. In girls lacrosse, players committing a goal circle foul must now move four meters away from the player taking a free position instead of behind them. Boys lacrosse rules have been updated to prevent defensive players other than properly equipped goalkeepers from entering their own crease to block shots; violators will receive personal fouls for illegal equipment. Additional boys lacrosse rules expand penalties related to holding and improper helmet use.
Girls soccer has adopted new measures aimed at improving sideline conduct: game officials can now take action against head coaches for team behavior, increasing accountability. Only team captains may speak with officials during breaks unless summoned; violations result in yellow cards.
The spring postseason tournaments begin May 27 with Upper Peninsula golf and tennis finals and conclude June 13 with girls soccer, baseball, and softball championships. The MHSAA is a private organization comprising more than 1,500 public and private schools that sets eligibility rules without using government funds or tax dollars.
