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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Clarkston takes down Eisenhower for first regional title since 2011

Dan Stickradt | November 13, 2020 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

ROCHESTER HILLS — Clarkston has been building for this season for many years. The fruits are finally being harvested.

The Wolves captured their first Division 1 regional crown since winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 Thursday night to remain in the hunt for the ultimate prize.

Clarkston defeated fifth-ranked Utica Eisenhower 3-0 for the regional title at Rochester Stoney Creek, posting scores of 25-23, 25-17, 26-24 to advance onto the state quarterfinals for the third time in 11 seasons.

The Wolves (28-8-0) lost in the state quarterfinals round in 2010 but reached the Final Four in 2011 — the furthest the program has ever advanced — and are again members of the Elite Eight for the first time in nine seasons.

Clarkston will face first-time regional champion Grand Blanc at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at Lapeer High School.

Claire Nowicki slammed 11 kills and Paige Giethtbrock added 10 kills to fuel the Wolves’ attack. Sydney Hasenfratz recorded 12 blocks and eight kills and Elizabeth Adams added seven blocks for Clarkston.

Clarkston captured it s first regional title in nine years Thursday with a 3-0 victory over Utica Eisenhower. Courtesy Photo

“This is one of the goals,” smiled Nowicki, grinning ear-to-ear. “We’re really happy. We’re just going to watch film (on Grand Blanc), and figure out our game plan, and keep pushing to (Michigan’s Final Four site) Battle Creek.”

Nowicki, Clarkston’s lone fourth-year varsity veteran, has been a key cog in Clarkston’s attack. The Wolves won a district crown her freshman year only to be knocked out by Lake Orion in district play the past two years.

“Beating Lake Orion (in the districts finals), they have always been our rivals, and we so wanted to beat them this year,” added Nowicki. “I think that was a huge confidence boost (for us).”

Clarkston was making its ninth regional finals appearance in the past 16 seasons. The Wolves’ balance proved to be lethal to Eisenhower, which was making tis first regional appearance in quite some time.

“That’s actually probably our strong suit, and I think what’s gotten us this far is that we do have a lot of different people we can go to,” said Pinner referring to her team’s balance. “The ball is coming at them from all kinds of different angles, and that’s definitely our strong suit. We just try to get everybody going. I think we’ve done that all season.”

One of Michigan’s top 10 talents, Sydney Palazzolo led Eisenhower with 24 kills, 19 digs and five blocks. The High Point University-commit and Miss Volleyball candidate was often a focal point for opposing team’s defensive schemes.

Oakland University-bound Kira Buza added 10 kills and Angelena Tripli added 34 assists for the Eagles.

CLARKSTON IN STATE TOURNAMENT IN RECENT YEARS:

2003: District champs, regional semifinalists

2004: District champs, regional semifinalists

2005: District champs, regional finalists

2006: Lost in district rounds

2007-W: District champs, regional finalists

2007-F: Lost in district rounds

2008: District champs, regional semifinalists

2009: District champs, regional semifinalists

2010: District, regional champs; lost in state quarterfinals

2011: Reached Class A Final Four