Tuning awaits netters over break

Inclement weather postponed the Clarkston volleyball team’s matchup with Lahser on Dec. 15, but the Wolves still got plenty of action on Dec. 17 at the Portage Northern Invitational.
On the day Clarkston finished 2-3 overall.
‘We played a tough team to start in Fraser,? Clarkston Coach Kelly Avenall said.
The Wolves lost to Fraser 25-13, 25-14. But Clarkston bounced back in it’s next two matches, dispatching Flushing and Tinconning.
Clarkston’s fortune came full circle though, as losses to Battle Creek Lakeview and St. Louis closed the day.
Clarkston triumphed over Lakeview in the last year’s regional semifinal before East Lansing ousted the Wolves from the MHSAA playoffs in the regional final.
This year, with a team lacking size at the net, Avenall has been preaching precision play on offense and defense.
With no contests remaining before the holiday tournament, Avenall is planning to give her team some time off until after Christmas. Once practice resumes practice will emphasize ways Clarkston offset their inherent disadvantage at the net.
‘We need to become a better defensive team,? Avenall said, also making mention that on offense Clarkston needs to be ‘finding holes when they hit.?
The Wolves return to game action with a flurry of road dates after the holiday break.
On Jan. 5 Clarkston plays at Rochester High, then travels to Walled Lake Northern for a tourney on Jan.7. Seaholm has invited the Wolves for some sporting action on Jan. 9. The Wolves then play their first home game in a month on Jan. 12 against Troy Athens.