District title goes to Our Lady Lakers in straight sets

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes claimed its second straight district championship with a three-game victory over Birmingham Roeper in a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class D district final on Thursday, Nov. 1 at Clarkston Everest Collegiate.

The Lakers won in straight sets, 25-9, 25-13, and 25-14 and improved their record to 35-7-4 on the season.

Senior setter Haley Howell had 23 assists, eight digs, five aces and three kills for Our Lady, while freshman outside hitter Courtney Wightman had 10 kills, nine digs and two aces and junior middle hitter Devon Valent had seven aces, six kills, three blocks and three digs.

Our Lady played in a Class D regional semi-final against Detroit Catholic League rival Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Tuesday, Nov. 6, after press time, with the winner facing either Morrice or Genesee Christian in a Class D regional final at Birmingham Roeper tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 8.

The regional final winner will play in a Class D quarter-final match on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Mount Morris for the chance to advance to the state semi-finals at Battle Creek next weekend.

The Lakers advanced to the regional finals last season before falling to Allen Park Inter-City Baptist.

Our Lady began district play on Tuesday, Oct. 30 with a three-game victory over Macomb Christian, 25-7, 25-8 and 25-8 in a district semi-final.

Junior right side hitter Allison Samulon had 12 aces and two kills for the Lakers, while senior libero Kelly Meehan had six aces and Valent had eight kills, four aces and two blocks.