By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
WATERFORD – It was eight years coming but the Lake Orion Dragons finally put away Clarkston in both OAA league volleyball a few weeks ago and then in state district competition on Monday night.
The Dragons won in three games, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-16 to stop the Wolves in what was expected to be the top matchup in the district play held at Waterford Kettering High School. The Dragons were looking to get past Pontiac on Wednesday and then play for the district title on Friday, against the winner of the Oxford and Kettering matchup.
If the Dragons can take the district title, it is expected they could face defending state champion Romeo in regional play at Romeo. But first, Romeo must get past a tough Anchor Bay team in its district.
Lake Orion has met Romeo three times in tournaments this season and won all three matchups.
The win was the 59th of the season for Lake Orion, which tied a school record.
The fourth-ranked Dragons saw the return of Courtney Wightman after an ankle injury sidelined her three weeks ago and she led the team with 16 kills.
Coach Tony Scavarda said having all-stater Wightman back, even though she was not at full strength, was a huge lift for the Dragons.
‘Even if she is at 80 percent that is better than many players at 100 percent,? Scavarda said. ‘She really gave us a boost.?
Clarkston had knocked Lake Orion out of the district playoffs the last three years and had won eight consecutive league titles.
Lake Orion has a stronger team this year and the Wolves are younger.
Scavarda said this was the fifth time this season Lake Orion has played Clarkston and he said he thinks this was the Wolves? best effort.
‘I thought we struggled early on to get kills. They did a good job of blocking our shots but we pushed through it, were patient and persistent.?
Because Lake Orion beat the Wolves in the four other contests this season, including in the battle for the OAA Red league title, Scavarda said his team had confidence and believed in themselves. He also said it was good to meet Clarkston in the first round so that jitters didn’t matter.
‘It certainly helped seeing them in the first round,? Scavarda said. ‘In the past we have felt pressure (against Clarkston). In this game tonight we were looser and played better. I can’t tell you how proud I am of these girls.?
Lake Orion’s front line was solid and posed problems for the Wolves all evening.
In addition to Courtney Wightman’s 16 kills, Natalie Wehner provided 12 kills, and Wies Hurkmans had seven kills and three blocks.
Libero Koreen Varney had 30 digs for the Dragons. Leah Kalugar had 24 assists while Wren Macaulay had 19.