Lady Wolves capture fourth consecutive district title

Senior Megan McCarty tapped the volleyball over the net, out of reach for Grand Blanc spikers and onto the floor.
The point was added to the board and Clarkston gained the lead in the second game, 16-15.
They continued to gain momentum going for ten consecutive points before the Lady Bobcats scored again. They ended the set, 25-19 and went 3-0 for the night, winning their fourth consecutive district championship.
“It’s always exciting to win districts,” said Coach Kelly Avenall. “This is the first time since I have been here coaching we have played at home. It’s a great feeling to be at home and have all the fans behind you. It was nice to see everyone in the stands and feeling the energy in the gym.”
Following Clarkston’s win in the first set, 25-22, Grand Blanc grabbed the lead with six points in the next game. The Lady Wolves put in a fight to climb out.
“Our team always tries to keep each other up,” said Alexis Egler on what helped the team. “We are always positive and we don’t get down on each other. We are going to push through it.”
Avenall had watched past games where even six points behind could determine the ending of the game.
“I felt it more than they did,” she said. “They never looked like that out on the floor. They looked confident. They didn’t look bothered by it at all. It’s their confidence and leadership that helps them in situations like that.”
The Lady Wolves finished the last game, 25-13.
“Everyone wanted it so bad,” said Egler. “We played our hearts out. We have been looking at this moment since the very beginning of the season.”
Seniors Jessica Frakes had 11 kills, Allison Reis had 26 digs and McCarty had five kills and four blocks.
“Our seniors were in the momentum tonight, especially those three. They were really in the zone,” said Avenall.
She added the seniors have helped throughout the season for their 46-3-1 record.
“They don’t want to lose,” she said. “They are going to do everything in their power to make it a good match.”
The girls beat Fenton in the first round of district playoffs on Nov. 1, 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 25-12, 25-18.)
“I told them wipe away the amazing season you just had. We had a great season, but it is a blank slate,” said Avenall. “Everyone is going to play tough. Any team with seniors on it you don’t know how they are going to react because it could be their last game of the year. We saw that with Fenton. They did not want to give up.”
Frakes had six kills, Rachel Dickerson had seven kills, Maddie Lightfoot had 33 digs and Stephanie Marani had nine blocks.
“She broke a over 20-year-old record,” said Avenall. The record was 132 and she is now over 140 with the season still going.
The girls took on Swartz Creek in the second round. They defeated them within 15 minutes in the first game, 25-7 and continued to win 25-16 and 25-9.
They head into regional playoffs this week.
“We want to go to states all the way and that’s our goal,” said Egler. “We will play our hearts out.?
Clarkston played Davison on Tuesday in the first round of Regionals. The winner goes on and plays the final set against the Bay City Central/Flushing winner on Thursday at Brandon High School, 7 p.m.
Check how the girls did on www.ClarkstonNews.com or visit Clarkston News on Facebook.

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