Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes edges Oakland Christian in volleyball district final

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes defeats Oakland Christian 3-2 in D4 district final volleyball action at Oakland Christian Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (For The Oakland Press / LARRY McKEE)

AUBURN HILLS — While there were white roses, balloons and cupcakes to celebrate Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes volleyball coach Stephanie Swearingen’s birthday, perhaps the best present came from her team.

The Lakers topped Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 3-2, to win the Division 4, District 121 final on Thursday night at Oakland Christian. It was a repeat of last year when Swearingen’s team also defeated the Lancers in the district finals.

Our Lady of the Lakes (19-14-3) advances to the MHSAA Region 31 semifinal at 5 p.m. on Tuesday back at Oakland Christian. They will play the winner of Friday’s district final between Allen Park Inter-City Baptist and Taylor Trillium.

It was a hard-fought win. Oakland Christian coach Dan Willson called it a donnybrook.

The Lakers got off to a good start winning the first set, 25-21, fighting back from an early 7-2 deficit. Then they lost two straight, 20-25, and, 11-25, before coming back to win the fourth set, 25-15, and the fifth, 15-10.

“Oakland Christian, they’re so scrappy. Everything we were putting over they were digging up and the rallies were going really long so we had to make some adjustments,’’ Swearingen said. “We kept one line up for a little while and made some switches to keep things interesting and keep the defense having to adjust and I think we were able to do that really successful.’’

Senior Abigail Kawka, the Lakers’ libero, was a standout.

“Not only does she pass and serve-receive and dig well, but her serves are so crucial and key to us,’’ Swearingen said. “She’s been our most consistent server all season, she can spot serve, find weaknesses and make it difficult for the opponent to come back at us. She did so well.’’

Ini the first set, when she started serving the Lakers were down 13-17 and when she was done they had tied it at 18-18.

It was a team effort though.

“Alexis Koenig, one of my outsides, she played tremendously. Sophia Hadash did a really great job, she hurt her back in our second set, she pulled through and played the rest of the match which I was worried about,’’ Swearingen said.

“Natalie Koenig was outside, she moved to the middle she got some great blocks and changed up our offense,’’ Swearingen said. “My setter (Gabrielle Hysni) played really well she had to play a lot of defense they were going after her with tips and the short game so she had to cover really well.’’

It was the first time the teams had met this season.

“We were determined to come out on top, but we gave them too many easy balls and put them in the system, they’ve got a lot of power hitting,’’ Willson said. “That made the difference, they overpowered us with their attacks.’’

Source: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes edges Oakland Christian in volleyball district final