Lakers begin league schedule with two wins

Our Lady of the Lakes opened its Detroit Catholic League schedule last week with two victories at home.

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, the Lakers defeated Royal Oak Shrine in a four-game match.

Our Lady (9-6-2 overall, 2-0 in the Catholic League East) took the first game, 25-21, before losing the second game, 28-26.

“We started out a little slow in our first two games. I think it was because it was our first home game and it was the first time the girls played in front of their peers,” said Our Lady Head Coach Stephanie Swearingen. “They came out nervous, but after the second game the team finally began to relax and we were able to get some big serving runs and started putting the ball away.”

The Lakers then rebounded to win the next two games, 25-12 and 25-15, to secure the match.

Junior Devon Valent had 11 aces, 3 blocks and 5 digs to lead Our Lady. Senior Haley Howell had 7 kills, 32 assists and 4 digs, and freshman Courtney Wightman had 14 kills, 2 blocks and 5 digs.

Our Lady then hosted the West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy on Thursday, Sept. 13 and took the match in three games, 25-8, 25-10 and 25-10.

“Every girl on my team contributed to this win, and I’m happy with the way we played,” Swearingen said.

Howell had 6 aces, 4 kills and 21 assists. Junior Allison Samulon had 9 kills and 1 block, and senior Abbigayle Kline had 3 aces, 7 kills and 2 blocks.

The Lakers played at Detroit Cristo Rey on Tuesday, Sept. 18 after press time and will travel to Clarkston Everest tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 20.

Our Lady will then host the Our Lady of the Lakes Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 22.