Lake Orion vs Clarkston: Volleyball Preview

Written Tuesday October 16th, at 9:05 PM

The match of the season is finally here and it will be Thursday night in Clarkston as there will be a collision of two volleyball state powers and rivals as the Lake Orion Dragons travel to Clarkston to take on the Clarkston Wolves.

Both teams are very good with both teams winning over 20 games this season. Lake Orion and Clarkston are both undefeated in the Red at 7-0. The Dragons swept the Wildcats in three games at Oxford while the Wolves swept Adams in three games at Clarkston.

Lake Orion under first year coach Ross Talbott features a dangerous middle with Sophie Murdock and Kayla Rockey but the key to its strength is its outside hitters, led by Tess Marshall, Melanie Heath, and Hannah Murdock.

Clarkston under legendary coach Kelly Avenall features Rachel Dickerson, daughter of Detroit Tigers and University of Detroit Mercy Titans broadcaster Dan Dickerson along with its outside hitters Katie Chadwell, Kelly Konjarevich, and Brianna Frakes.

Both teams have done a good job in getting new talent into its varsity programs and not missing a beat.

Last season the Dragons and Wolves played a classic five game set at Lake Orion during its senior’s night. The Wolves ended up beating the Dragons in five games, capturing the Red title in the process. The girls in Lake Orion were devastated but there was hope that these two teams could meet again.

They did, in Battle Creek in the State Semifinals.

Clarkston had a relatively favorable draw in both districts and regional. Clarkston hosted the district. The Wolves went through Fenton then had to survive Plymouth Canton in five games in the state quarterfinals.

Lake Orion had a more difficult draw than Clarkston in going south then east. The Dragons went through Birmingham Marian in come from behind fashion in the regional semifinals then in the state quarterfinals at St. Clair Shores Lakeshore beat Macomb Dakota and star Carliee Snyder in five games to get to that point.

It was the Dragons that got its revenge on the Wolves, beating them in four games at Kellogg Arena, knocking them out of the playoffs. Lake Orion would move on to the State Finals and lose to Rockford for the State Championship in a three game sweep.

BATTLE SPOT: Gabby Kalugar vs. Emily Popp: Once again, it is the battle of the Liberios that is the key of this game. Gone are Maddie Hutchinson (Lake Orion) and Maddie Lightfoot (Clarkston) from last season. Kalugar and Popp are small for their size but make up for the lack of height with their quickness and determination to defend and get digs. This is an interesting match up to say the least, both are very good defenders and digs will be at a plenty in this one.

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT:

Lake Orion: Hannah Murdock. Filling the role of Shannon Murdock is never easy and it wasn’t going to be an easy for first year coach Ross Talbott however Hannah Murdock has performed beyond expectations, especially where her older sister Shannon left off. Murdock will need to have a strong game and play like she has been playing all season long, especially against Dickerson, Konjarvech, and Chadwell. If she plays like a sophomore in this match up then Lake Orion is in trouble.

Clarkston: Katie Chadwell. Chadwell has done well recently for the Wolves under Kelly Avenall. The name recognition is there in Clarkston as well as she is the sister of Illinois recruit, Jessie Chadwell in football. She is an outside hitter who can get kills from time to time. If Clarkston wants to win, she along with Dickerson, Konjarevich, Frakes, and Popp has to play well if the Wolves want to repeat as Red Champions. If she struggles then Clarkston is in trouble.

PROJECTION: Last season, Lake Orion lost to Clarkston in five games in Lake Orion however the Dragons did get revenge in Battle Creek over the Wolves. These two teams will likely meet in the District Finals in Romeo this season. One team will enjoy the spoils of victory while the other will suffer the jaws of defeat. Who ever team play less sloppy and stay’s balance will win this match. Now it doesn't mean that this result will happen in the playoffs plus its Clarkston’s Senior Night. Clarkston ruined Lake Orion’s senior night last season. This year, Lake Orion will reverse the trend in Clarkston in a classic 25-23 Game Five. PICK: LAKE ORION IN FIVE.