Dragons sweep Wildcats. Await Wolves on Saturday. Orion/Clarkston the sequel

Written Thursday November 1st, at 10:20 PM

The rematch is set.

The eighth ranked Dragons swept the Oxford Wildcats 25-15, 25-15, and 25-16 setting the stage for a rematch with second ranked Clarkston at Romeo on Saturday. 

The last time the Dragons and Wolves met, it was the Red title game with Clarkston coming out on top in a tough five game series including an 18-16 win in game five. The Dragons did not have Hannah Murdock for most of the game and did not return.

I wan't surprised that Lake Orion won in three games against Oxford. Hannah Murdock, Hannah Sucuiu, and Tess Marshall are back from injuries. The Dragons controlled tempo early and often. The closest that the Wildcats could get to the Dragons was 15-10 in the third set. From then on Lake Orion was in cruse control against their rivals to the north.

I was very surprised that Clarkston went five games with Romeo. The Wolves survived 25-23, 21-25, 19-25, 25-11, and 15-5 over Romeo. Clarkston outscored the Bulldogs 40-16 in the final two games, it was something that the Wolves have not seen all season long. With all the talent Clarkston has with Rachel Dickerson, Brianna Frakes, Katie Chadwell, Sarah Bullen, Emily Popp, among others to see them in that was shocking. I think Romeo’s crowd was a huge factor, especially in the second and third games and also the low ceiling of Romeo's small gym but in the end the Wolves found a way to win setting up the match with Lake Orion for the district crown.

It would had been more shocking if Clarkston had lost.

Both teams went to the state semifinals last season but only one will go to the regional finals on Tuesday at Birmingham Marian.

I’m not sure how this match will go. This match has five games written all over it just like the last meeting. That could favor the Dragons being that their win over Oxford was in three games while the Wolves went five.

Lake Orion should be motivated after losing to Clarkston a few weeks ago for the Red title. If the Dragons can play like they are capable of playing then they will be fine heading into this rematch of arch rivals.

Clarkston meanwhile has played a total of eight games in the playoffs. The Wolves have been battle tested in going the distance (Romeo) and winning easily (Adams.) Clarkston has been a resultant team in these playoffs so far.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Clarkston has some tired legs early by going five games with Romeo. Both teams will be a bit tired from watching their respective football games (Lake Orion: Eisenhower. Clarkston: Grand Blanc,) so that’s a wash right there but will be energized once the match begins. I think the first team who sets their will on the match up will win this match. Lake Orion (likely will wear either white or black) will be deemed the home team or the Romeo side in the match up being the top team on the draw while Clarkston (likely will wear either blue or yellow) will be on the Guests side.

This match will be interesting once again, two heavyweights going at it one last time but who wins, nobody knows.