Our Lady tops league foes, wins own tournament

It was a memorable week for Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, as it not only won two league matches last week, but also hosted its inaugural tournament and took home the championship.

The Lakers (16-6-2 overall, 4-0 in the Catholic League East) began their week with a three-game victory over Detroit Cristo Rey, 25-11, 25-8, 25-10, on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Senior-setter Haley Howell had 14 aces, 14 assists and 3 kills for Our Lady. Junior right side hitter Allison Samulon had 2 aces and 7 kills, and junior middle hitter Devon Valent had 7 aces.

The Lakers then followed up with another road victory over Clarkston Everest Collegiate in three games, 25-11, 25-20, 25-20, on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Howell had 6 aces, 6 kills and 23 assists for Our Lady, while junior middle hitter Lindsay Ross had 2 aces and 7 kills and senior libero Kelly Meehan had 13 digs.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Lakers hosted their first-ever Volleyfest Tournament and went undefeated in pool play by defeating Madison Heights Bishop Foley (25-14, 25-21), Lutheran Westland (25-15, 25-11) and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (25-23, 25-17).

In bracket play, Our Lady defeated Bishop Foley again (25-17, 25-17) in the quarter-finals before grinding out a victory over Waterford Mott (15-25, 25-16, 15-11) in the semi-finals.

In the finals, the Lakers held off Romeo, 12-25, 25-22, 15-12, to win the tournament championship.

Howell led the way for Our Lady with 90 assists, 12 aces and 10 kills for the tournament. Junior outside hitter Kristina Krupiak had 19 kills and 13 aces, and junior middle hitter Devon Valent had 22 kills and 3 aces for the day.

The Lakers played at Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Tuesday, Sept. 25 after press time and will host Royal Oak Shrine tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 27 before hosting Cardinal Mooney on Monday, Oct. 1.