FLAT ROCK — Sarah Giroux needed to keep up.
Her older sister Kayla Giroux was the Monroe County Region Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2021.
Her brother Mikey Giroux was the Region Baseball Player of the Year last spring.
And now she is the Region Volleyball Player of the Year.
“We’re competitive, but we’re always there to support each other,” Giroux said of her athletic family.
No one supported her more this season than her older sister, who was a Division II All-American volleyball player at Wayne State this season.
“I can literally go to her for advice on anything,” Sarah said. “I just watched her to see if I could improve, what little tweaks I could make.”
“We are really close. Even though she’s away at college, we text every day.”
Both of the Giroux sisters pride themselves in being great all-around volleyball players.
Sarah led Flat Rock in kills (526, 4.7 per set), digs (334) and serve reception (93 percent).
“Sarah was our go-to this year,” Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey said. “She’s a six-rotation player and a leads by example both in offense and defense.”
“We had a tough time defending her attacks,” Milan coach Sarah Elliason said.
Giroux was unstoppable in the state semifinals against Fremont racking up a career-best 30 kills to go along with 24 digs.
“I want to do whatever I can do to help the team,” Giroux said. “I truly love both aspects of the game. I love hitting the best, but defense is right up there.”
All of it stems from Giroux’s increased confidence heading into her junior year.
“We always wanted her to be a leader,” Delhey said. “She really stepped it up after her sophomore year. She had more confidence, more of a voice. She was phenomenal.”
The daughter of Dawn and Tim Giroux of Flat Rock saw it as a natural progression.
“I’ve played together with the same group of girls for a long time,” she said. “I kind of just wanted to step up. I knew I could do it. I felt like I connected with the setters a lot better. We worked a lot in the offseason.”
Another major factor was the return of 6-3 fellow junior Lily Klein, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
They gave Flat Rock a devastating 1-2 punch in the front row.
“That had a big effect,” Giroux said of Klein’s return. “I was extremely happy to have her back.”
One of the biggest nights of the season for Flat Rock came in the Regional finals on Nov. 13.
The Rams won in three sets, charging back from a 16-5 deficit in the second.
Milan had beaten Flat Rock twice during the Huron League season.
The Rams also beat St. Mary Catholic Central for the first time in school history. In fact, they did it twice. The second time in the Huron League tournament left the teams in a tie for the league championship.
“That night our energy was so high,” Giroux said. “We knew we could do it if we played together as a team. Our confidence was so high.”
It was a magical year for Flat Rock volleyball.
“Honestly it was a major experience for the whole team and the community,” Giroux said. “Next year’s seniors want to do the same thing. We feel like the standards are higher now.”
Coach of the Year: Morgan Delhey, Flat Rock
FLAT ROCK — The same team has been leading Flat Rock’s volleyball program since 2018.
One of the names changed and two of the main characters switched seats this fall.
Sisters Mackenzie and Morgan Kaiser, both former star athletes at Flat Rock, stepped in with a mission to resurrect volleyball at their alma mater eight years ago.
It needed some help.
“They were 0-24 (in the Huron League) in the two years before we took over,” Morgan (Kaiser) Delhey said.
It looks like the sisters have accomplished what they set out to do.
Flat Rock put together the greatest season in school history this year, crafting a 39-9 record, earning a share of the first league championship in school history and taking second in the state in Division 2.
Those accomplishments made Delhey an easy choice for Monroe County Region Volleyball Coach of the Year by The Monroe News.
It was a year of change for Delhey.
She took on her married name, found out she is expecting the couple’s first child in February and agreed to switch roles with her sister, becoming the head coach.
“Mackenzie wanted to take a little step back,” she said. “She didn’t think it was fair to the girls if she wasn’t 100 percent there.”
Mackenzie actually began the 2025 season as the head coach, but the sisters switched roles a few weeks in.
“We talked about it before the season and told the girls our roles might change,” Delhey said. “It wasn’t hard for them because we’ve both put in the work the last eight years.”
It wasn’t a drastic shift for the sisters, either.
“Before this year, I was the stat person,” Delhey said. “In that role, I had to be more analytic. She was always the one standing.
“The biggest difference was I had to stand this year. Maybe there was a little more pressure, but I don’t think I changed too much. During volleyball season, I always think a lot about volleyball anyway. Practice was not that big a difference.”
Plus, she had her sister, husband Brad Delhey and Jesse Spicer to lean on as assistants.
“Always the best thing for a head coach is to have great assistants,” she said. “The coaches all played a part.”
The season got off to a great start with first place in a tournament in Bay City.
“That was really fun,” Delhey said. “There was a ranked team there and we beat them.”
Then, Flat Rock opened a lot of eyes by knocking off defending Division 3 state champion St. Mary Catholic Central in a Huron League match.
“That was the first time we had ever beaten them in program history,” Delhey said. “That was a big step for us. It gave us a lot of confidence.”
Flat Rock’s second win over SMCC earned the Rams a share of the first league title in school history.
Then came a memorable run in the state tournament.
Flat Rock won their its Regional championship by avenging two losses earlier in the season to Milan.
“Milan just had our number this year,” Delhey said. “But I would not have traded those two losses for our Regional win. … It was insane in our home gym.
Flat Rock dominated in the state quarterfinals and semifinals before running into perennial power Detroit Country Day in the championship match.
“Anything beyond the (quarters) was a bonus,” Delhey said. “The girls just wanted to get to Battle Creek.”
Playing in the championship match was important for a young Flat Rock roster that featured one senior who played regularly.
“We definitely wanted to win, but I do think they experience was important for our juniors,” Delhey said.
The next few months will continue to be busy for Delhey.
She will become a mom in a few months, then she and her husband will be taking over Flat Rock’s softball team.
“We might be crazy,” she said when asked about become the head coach for another varsity team. “Brad and I talked about it a lot. We have a lot of family around and the girls have all volunteered to babysit.”
ALL-REGION PLAYERS
Olivia Beaudrie, SMCC, 5-6, 12
Racked up 205 kills, 217 digs and 53 blocks despite missing time with an injury. “She is a total impact player,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said. “Makes everyone on the floor a better player.”
Blair Russow, Bedford, 5-6, 11
Already owns 1,262 career digs as a junior after racking up 650 this season (5.6 per set). “A consistent leader on the court,” Bedford coach Bree Russow said.
Simone Cicotte, Huron, 5-11, 12
A Madonna University recruit who recorded 346 kills, 33 blocks and 31 aces. “Simone was an offensive threat all year and our offense was built around her,” Huron coach Devon Newman said.
Madeline Dettling, SMCC, 6-0, 12
Battled back from injury with 264 kills and 253 digs. “A very successful career on varsity reaching the state semi-finals twice and won a state championship,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said.
Reagan Higdon, Flat Rock, 5-7, 12
Led the team with 105 aces to go along with 252 kills and 313 digs. “She plays with an enthusiasm you can’t teach,” Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey said. “Extremely consistent.”
Aubree Higgins, Milan, 5-9, 12
Averaged 12 kills and 6 digs per match with season totals of 419 and 239. “The heart of our offense,” Milan coach Sarah Eliason said. “She dominated in the front row.”
Jaeli Jones, Summerfield, 5-11, 12
Recorded 349 kills and 235 digs. “She was dominant at the net,” Summerfield coach Michelle Hewitt said. “She has great enthusiasm for the game and supports her teammates.”
Lily Klein, Flat Rock, 6-3, 11
Amassed 252 kills and 69 blocks while hitting .336. “Lily was a constant for our team this year,” Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey said. “Really came through with some big games.”
Kailee LaVoy, Whiteford, 5-10, 12
“A leader on our team and someone we wanted to get the ball to as much as possible,” Whiteford coach Janie Valdez said. Notched 259 kills, 50 aces and hit .287.
Lucy Monahan, Bedford 6-1, 12
A Toledo recruit who logged 355 kills, 111 blocks and 110 digs. “Great job getting kills for them and being a strong first part in their defense with her block,” Monroe coach Chloe Maurer said.
Chloe Ruhlig, Airport, 6-0, 12
Will play next season at Bluffton University after logging 219 kills and 42 blocks. “She does a phenomenal job placing the ball and puts up a big block,” Airport coach Janelle Nagy said.
Maddie Salenbien, Dundee, 5-8, 12
Set school records with blocks in a season (119) and a match. Also had 203 kills. “Puts up one heck of a block, even if she is solo blocking,” Airport coach Janelle Nagy said.
Addy Simmons, Monroe, 5-7, 12
Finished with 202 kills and 308 digs. “Addy was a steady and powerful presence on the court,” Monroe coach Chloe Maurer said. “She attacked with confidence, defended with grit.”
Madison Slack, Milan, 6-0, 12
Topped 3,000 career assists and averaged 23 assists and 7 digs per match. Will play at Millikin University next season. “She is a very dominant setter,” Airport coach Janelle Nagy said.
Alexa Turner, SMCC, 5-11, 12
Masterfully directed the offense with 689 assists and also posted 320 digs, 75 kills and 46 blocks. “She isn’t just a setter,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said. “Excels at all positions.”
SPECIAL MENTION
Players: Madi Boehm, Airport; Giabella DeAngelo, Gibraltar Carlson; Elle Dwyer, Flat Rock; Lacey Evans, Dundee; Hayden Fausze, Bedford; Jenna Flint, Jefferson; Ella Fowler, Dundee; Maelie Fricke, Flat Rock; Laila Frye, Milan; Brandie Gobrecht, Ida; Anna Gray, Bedford; Quinn Harrington, SMCC; Hannah Hesse, Flat Rock; Addie Homrich, Erie Mason; Adela Illes, SMCC; Josslyn Jones, Monroe; Lilly Motylinski, Dundee; Sophia Nolff, Dundee; Ava Ryan, New Boston Huron; Claire Ryan, New Boston Huron; Ava Ryan, New Boston Huron; Zoe Ryan, Flat Rock; Renee Shrewsbury, Airport; Addison Skinner, Gibraltar Carlson; Zoie Stubleski, Erie Mason; Jaylyn VanSlambrouck, Jefferson; Jayanna Willets, Erie Mason; Addyson Wilt, Ida; Libbie Wolfenbarger, Ida; Peyton Zajac, Airport.
Coaches: Ashley Begeman, Ida; Sarah Eliason, Milan; Michelle Hewitt, Summerfield; Janelle Nagy, Airport; Carrie Newbold, State Line Christian; Devon Newman, New Boston Huron; Bree Russow, Bedford; Keri Salenbien, Dundee; Janie Valdez, Whiteford; Kim Windham, SMCC.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sarah Giroux of Flat Rock is the Region Volleyball Player of the Year
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
