Western shines at Ida; Knights win 2; Eagles drop pair

Walled Lake Western won the Silver Bracket championship at the Ida Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 6.

The Warriors (2-6 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) defeated Milan in the semi-finals before knocking off Lincoln in the bracket final, 25-8 and 25-18.

Western led offensively by senior outside hitters Lizzy Rzeznik and Bailey Bishop, junior middle hitter Katie Barrett, opposite Alex George-Hampton and setter Delaney Probst.

Defensive standouts included senior libero Laura Barts, junior defensive specialist Alexa Alati and sophomore defensive specialist Leah Hashisaka.

Western began its week with a three-game loss to KLAA North Division champion Huron Valley Lakeland on the road before falling to Walled Lake Central at home in three games.

The Warriors played at Waterford Mott yesterday, Tuesday, Oct. 9 after press time and will finish division play at home against Waterford Kettering tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 11.

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Walled Lake Northern won two KLAA North Division matches this past week, beginning with a five-game victory over second-place Walled Lake Northern on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The Knights (14-6-2, 5-3 in the KLAA North) fell in the first game, 25-21, before winning two straight, 25-13 and 25-19.

After the Vikings rallied to win the fourth game, 25-12, and tie the match at two games apiece, Northern would win the fifth and deciding game, 15-6.

Peyton Lang led Northern with 19 kills and 28 digs while Courtney Sullivan had 13 kills and five blocks.

Gabrielle Bauer also had nine kills and 34 digs while Katie Simon had 23 assists and four aces.

Northern then hosted Waterford Mott on Thursday, Oct. 4 and defeated the Corsairs in three games, 25-17, 25-14, and 25-19.

The Knights played at Waterford Kettering yesterday, Tuesday, Oct. 9 after press time and will play at Waterford Mott tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 11 to finish division play.

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Huron Valley Milford fell in two division matches this past week, beginning with a five-game victory at home over Brighton (16-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-20, and 15-13) on Tuesday, Oct. 2 in which it rallied from a two-game deficit and won three straight.

The Mavs then fell on the road to KLAA West Division leader Hartland in three games, 25-18, 25-22, and 25-22, on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Milford is now 5-4 in the KLAA West Division, which is good for third-place.

Hartland is in first place at 7-2 while Brighton is 6-3.

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West Bloomfield earned two Oakland Activities Association (OAA) White Division wins this past week, including a five-game victory at Auburn Hills Avondale on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The Lakers won the first game, 25-18, before falling in the second game, 19-25.

West Bloomfield (9-17-1, 3-2 in the OAA White Division) then won the third game, 25-15, before the Yellow Jackets won the fourth game, 21-25, to force a fifth and deciding game.

The Lakers would take the fifth game, 15-11, to clinch the match.

“Even though we took the first set, we knew that we would have to work hard to win the match,” Lakers Head Coach Julian Wargo said. “Avondale’s serving and quicks gave us trouble, so we had to make adjustments. We played with a lot of energy and that helped us get through the rough parts.”

The Lakers were led by Jordan White with 17 kills and 12 digs, while Tara Heald had 12 kills and 15 digs. Bri Benge and Lyndsey DuFresne also combined for 42 assists.

West Bloomfield then traveled to Birmingham Groves on Thursday, Oct. 4 and won in four sets.

The Lakers fell in the first game, 23-25, before rallying to win three straight, 25-22, 27-25, and 25-17.

Anne Gu led West Bloomfield with 16 kills while White with 13 kills and 15 digs. Benge dished out 22 assists and also served seven aces on the night.