GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Clarkston cruises Troy to advance to regional finals
Wolves earn date with No. 5 Utica Eisenhower
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — After defeating arch-rival Lake Orion in the state tournament last week for the first time since 2017, Clarkston made sure there was no letdown in its first regional semifinal in three seasons.
The state-ranked Wolves swept Troy in a swift match, 3-0, that lasted a mere 59 minutes, taking a 25-13, 25-15, 25-17 triumph over the Colts at Rochester Stoney Creek.
The Wolves advanced to the regional finals for the first time since 2017, the same year Clarkston lost to Birmingham Marian in that stage. The Wolves will face fifth-ranked Utica Eisenhower at 7 p.m. at Stoney Creek.
Eisenhower advanced with a 3-0 victory over White Lake Lakeland in Tuesday’s second regional semifinal match.
It marks the 13th time in Kelly Pinner’s 19 seasons as Clarkston’s head coach that the Wolves have reached at least the regional semifinals and ninth time they advanced to the regional finals during that tenure.
Clarkston is going after its first regional title since winning back-to-back crowns in 2010 and 2011. The Wolves lost in the state quarterfinals in 2010 to Farmington Hills Mercy, while they lost in the state semifinals to Lake Orion in 2011.
Despite having no starters from that 2017 squad still on the roster, Clarkston did not get caught looking too far ahead, taking care of Troy in swift fashion.
Sydney Hasenfratz recorded 17 kills and 12 blocks — several of the block-kill variety at the net — while Claire Nowicki added 13 kills and Elizabeth Adams slammed nine kills for Clarkston (28-8). Behind them, Clarkston only had three service errors and played fine defense, as the Wolves were in control for most of the night.
Clarkston’s offense is the epitome of balance, as several players take turns doing the most damage on opponents.
“We do have a few girls we can go to,” admitted Pinner, who took over the program before the winter 2002-03 season. “Today it was Syd (Sydney Hasenfratz).
“We have been working on the slide with her and our other middle, just trying to execute a little better. I think it’s getting better,” continued Pinner. “It’s got to get a lot better for Thursday, but (Hasenfratz) played great for us tonight.”
In Game 1, Troy led 4-3 early until Clarkston responded with a 7-2 run to go up 10-6 and not look back. The lead ballooned up to 12 points (21-9) before the Wolves maintained the double-digit advantage through the end of the set.
The second game saw the Colts grab a quick 1-0 lead. But as quickly as that happened, the short-lived advantage evaporated. Clarkston led 14-5 and 19-11 before closing out with a 6-3 run.
Troy (10-7-0) led 5-1 in Game 3, only to see Clarkston regroup and pull away.The Colts got as close at 7-6 but could not get over the hump to win a single set.
Clarkston boasted too many weapons for the Colts to stop, and the Wolves’ effort was another fine-tuning event for the upcoming regional finals.
“At this point of the season you are trying to focus on the things you do best and make them even better,” noted Pinner. “We have a pretty well-balanced offense. We have Paige (Giehtbrock) and Claire (Nowicki) on the outside and Sydney (Hasenfratz) and (Elizabeth Adams) in the middle. Even Madison (McGraw) had a couple of good swing tonight as well. We have a balanced offense which should help us on Thursday (against Eisenhower).
“We know from here on out, it won’t be any easier,” added Pinner.
Troy finished second in the OAA White Division this season and captured its fourth straight district title. The Colts simply ran into a buzzsaw Tuesday.
Troy coach Tom Vigilant knew his team would have to play its best game in years to threaten the OAA Red Division champions.
“Clarkston is just awesome,” said Vigilant. “You have to give them credit. They have tons of firepower and can hit from anywhere. I feel good about how we handled them defensively, but we didn’t have enough firepower to get over the top.”
Vigilant’s team will return only two starters next season but 8-of-12 varsity letter-winners should be back in uniform. The Colts will move up to the OAA-Red next autumn.
Kendal Zeiter and Lauren Boehmer each had six kills tor Troy. Anna Anderson added five kills and three service points and Sawyer Darish had three service points for the Colts.
CLARKSTON’S DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDER KELLY PINNER — 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007-F, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020
CLARKSTON’S TEAMS THAT LOST IN THE REGIONAL SEMIFINALS UNDER PINNER — 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009
CLARKSTON’S TEAMS THAT LOST IN THE REGIONAL FINALS UNDER PINNER — 2005, 2007-W, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
CLARKSTON’S TEAMS THAT LOST IN THE STATE QUARTERFINALS UNDER PINNER— 2010
CLARKSTON’S TEAMS THAT LOST IN THE STATE SEMIFINALS UNDER PINNER — 2011
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