The positive wave of energy from their district win a week earlier could not sustain Clarkston’s volleyball team as they succumbed to East Lansing, 3-2, in the regional finals on March 5.
‘We were one of 16 teams in the state to get that far,? said Clarkston Coach Kelly Avenall. ‘We really gelled as a team in the last part of the season.?
The Wolves started fast in the regional final, winning the first two games 28-26 and 25-22, but dropped the next three 25-20, 25-20 and 15-11.
?(East Lansing) made a lot of mistakes early on that we were able to capitalized on,? said Avenall. ‘We were so close. I thought we could compete with them and I think we did.?
In the first round of regionals, Clarkston dispatched Battle Creek Lakeview, 3-1.
Over the course of both matches, senior Stephanie Parking had 35 kills and 13 blocks. Other statistical standouts for the Wolves were senior Carolyn Murdock with 25 kills and junior Kate Thomas with 71 assists.
Clarkston’s serve reception, a major problem at the start of the year, did not seem to be a problem over the weekend. The Wolves only committed 11 serve reception errors over nine games.
‘The good part about going this far is the younger kids know what it takes to get here as well as what they have to do to earn playing time,? said Avenall.
Next year, Avenall is looking to junior Laura Kupe and Thomas for leadership on and off the floor.
Clarkston finished the season with a 22-18-2 record.