Kosmo hasn't talked about volleyball very much on this blog this year, but there's a big reason to do so now because of what is taking place on Thursday.
For the first time this year, state and county powers Birmingham Marian and Farmington Hills Mercy will meet on the court.
The two are the best in the area and should be plenty familiar with each other. The Mustangs and Marlins certainly saw enough of each other last year when they met five times, including in the Class A state semifinals in Battle Creek.
Marian won all the games en route to its first ever state championship.
Originally, the game was supposed to be played at Mercy, but has since been switched to Marian. The teams will meet later in the year at Mercy, then possibly in the Catholic League playoffs and state semifinals.
Kosmo would love to call this a rivalry, but that means each team has to win some games. Until Mercy steps up and beats Marian, then it'll be hard to call it a rivalry.
- In addition to volleyball, Birmingham Marian and Farmington Hills Mercy could well be battling it out for county supremacy in swimming when the annual county swim and dive meets takes place on Saturday at Waterford Mott. Mercy enters as the favorite, but are expected to be challenged by Marian and Novi. Birmingham Groves and Birmingham Seaholm could be darkhorse contenders as well.