Lakers win two matches before hosting event

West Bloomfield hosted the inaugural Lakes vs. Fields Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 15, as the Lakers, Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Bloomfield Hills Andover took on Walled Lake Central, Northern and Western.

West Bloomfield (5-8-1) defeated Western to start the day, 25-12, 25-15, before falling to Central, 15-25, 23-25, and Northern, 18-25, 23-25.

The Walled Lake schools took the bragging rights as Central and Northern each went 3-0 on the day.

Tara Heald led West Bloomfield with 20 kills on the day, with Jordan White contributing 18 kills along with 25 digs. Junior Bri Benge and freshmen Lindsey DuFresne combined for 55 assists.

“It was a good day for us,” said Lakers Head Coach Julian Wargo. “We played with a lot of confidence against some bigger opponents. Except for a few breakdowns with our serving, we were in every game. We will clean this up and be ready for our next contest.”

The Lakers began their week at home with a three-game victory over Southfield, 25-13, 25-13 and 25-18, in an Oakland Activities Association (OAA) crossover match on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Heald led West Bloomfield with 12 kills and 15 digs. White had 7 kills and 5 service aces.

On Thursday, Sept. 13, the Lakers defeated Ferndale in three games, 25-6, 25-14 and 24-9.

Heald led West Bloomfield with 7 kills and 10 digs, while White had 8 kills and 7 digs.

“Our serving was tough tonight and really kept Ferndale out of system,” Wargo said.

The Lakers will next host Lahser on Thursday, Sept. 20.

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Huron Valley Lakeland is tied for first-place in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association after winning two matches last week.

The Eagles (10-4 overall, 3-0 in the KLAA North) defeated Waterford Mott at home, 25-9, 25-22, 25-16 on Tuesday, Sept. 11, as Kelly Merle put up 32 assists and had 6 aces. Junior Kalie Marentte also had 7 kills.

Lakeland then defeated Walled Lake Western on the road in three games, 25-10, 25-10, 25-10, on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The Eagles hosted Waterford Kettering yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 18, and will host a first-place showdown with Walled Lake Central on Thursday, Sept. 20.

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Huron Valley Milford fell at home to Brighton in four games on Thursday, Sept. 13 and remains in second-place in the KLAA West Division behind the 3-0 Bulldogs.

The Mavericks (4-5, 2-1 KLAA West) took the first game, 25-21, before losing three straight, 25-17, 25-19 and 26-24.

Brighton has won the last three KLAA West division titles.

Milford did start off its week on a high note with a thrilling five-game victory at Howell on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

After losing the opening game, 25-21, Milford took the next two games, 27-25, 25-21.

But, Howell forced a fifth and deciding game with a 25-19 win in the fourth game.

The Mavs would then take the tiebreaker, 15-4.

Milford hosted Hartland yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 18 after press time and will travel to Pinckney on Thursday, Sept. 20.