Dragons Volleyball team not getting the respect they deserve

Written Saturday September 7th, at 3:50 PM

A lot of people around the community are looking at the fall with high hopes for football season but why not Volleyball.

Yeah a lot of people know about Birmingham Marian, Farmington Hills Mercy, Clarkston, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, North Branch, Rockford, Fruitport, etc.

But why not Lake Orion???

The 2013 Lake Orion girls volleyball team is quietly becoming a state power in volleyball under second year coach Ross Talbott and yet nobody talks about them or even remember the time they were in the state finals two seasons ago under former coach Bob Howey.

The Dragons are currently ranked second in the state behind defending state champion Macomb Dakota and won the Birmingham Marian tournament after stunning the Mustangs and Farmington Hills Mercy and three other ranked teams in the state along with the Grand Blanc tournament but they had a questionable loss to Rochester Adams in pool play of the Dragons Invitational and have struggled against Macomb Dakota, who is currently number one in the state.

So why for the optimism???

The Dragons return some key pieces that could be a state championship team this season. Senior Ally Shinouskis takes over the Liberio for Gabby Kalugar who moved onto Oakland Community College for volleyball. Junior Maddie Hargraves looks to have a solid season as well. Lake Orion will also have junior setter Rachel Giwa to go along with outside hitters in senior Tess Marshall and junior Hannah Murdock.

Lake Orion does have some talented pieces as well that can do some damage with three juniors and four sophomores on a team that could be deeper than a season ago. The schedule like I said before is tough with Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham Seaholm, and Stoney Creek on the road but have Clarkston and Troy at home and the district will be interesting with Clarkston and Stoney Creek in the district at Clarkston but the regional is at Lake Orion.

These girls are a hard working bunch no matter what anyone says. Besides football, basketball, cheerleading, baseball, soccer, and track. Volleyball should get their fair share of representation from the community and I'm surprised some folks haven't seen it yet.

I understand they have long tournaments but hey it is what it is and the volleyball action is intense as any from the middle school levels, to the freshman, JV, and varsity. It's always a fun atmosphere.

Maybe it’s time for the community to look at these ladies in action.

You may have a state championship quality team in the near future if things go right for them.