Mara Austrins
Class of 1991
Lija and Mara came from a very driven sports family with very influential parents. They were by-products of parents Lil & Mik’s tremendous work with the volleyball players in the off season! Lil & Mik’s work ethic and athleticism carried over to Lija and Mara who were not only outstanding athletes but humble, kind and considerate young women liked by all. The sisters were at the forefront of producing the great volleyball teams and successful State volleyball championships CHS achieved. I also remember Lil working with the girls on the tennis courts developing their skills and game! Very happy to see these quality, talented young women in our Hall of Fame as they are great representatives for CHS!
- Pat Ashby
Mara & Lija were class acts who worked hard, had fun and really enjoyed the sport they loved…what a joy it was to see their hustle, tremendous skills and passion on the court! The love of the game being passed down from amazingly talented parents! So gratifying to see the success they achieved at CHS lead them to continue playing volleyball at the intercollegiate level! We simply couldn’t have finer or more influential student-athletes than Lija and Mara Austrins and their family in our CHS Hall of Fame! Much congratulations and so proud of all your accomplishments here and at the college level!
- Tracy Daniel
Comstock High School
* Volleyball – 4 Varsity Letters
- 1988, 89, 90, 91 Team Ranked #1 in Class B
- 1989, 90, 91 MHSAA State Champion
- 1989, 90, 91 Kalamazoo Gazette Prep Star of the Week
- 1991 2nd Team All-State
- 1991 All-State Tournament MVP
- 1991 Wolverine 1st Team All-Conference
- 1991 Co-Captain
* Tennis – 4 Varsity Letters
- 1988, 90 Wolverine 1st Team All-Conference
- 1990 Greater Kalamazoo Prep Star of the Week
- 1990 Team Most Valuable Player
- 1991 Played #1 Singles
- 1991 Co-Captain
* Track & Field – 1 Varsity Letter
Junior Olympic Volleyball – 1985-91
* 1987, 89, 91 National AAU All-American
Villanova University
* Volleyball – 4 Year Varsity Starter – Outside Hitter
- 1991 Nominated for Big East Conference Rookie of the Year
- 1991 Temple University Tournament All-Tournament Team
- 1994 Co-Captain
- All-Time Career Records
Ranked #2 with 194 Service Aces
Ranked #4 with 139 Matches Played
Ranked #5 with 470 Games Played
Ranked #5 with 1,622 Digs
- Single Season Records
Ranked #1 with 42 Matches Played
Ranked #4 with 70 Service Aces
Ranked #6 with 139 Sets Played
Ranked #7 with 60 Service Aces
Ranked #10 with 486 Digs
Latvian American National Travel Team
* Volleyball – 3 Years
- International Three Star Games – 3rd Place
- Latvian American Nationals Best Spiker Award
Athletic Honors
* 2024 Comstock Athletic Hall of Fame