Photos: StudentandAthlete

Lake Orion players celebrate after winning a point against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

   After losing all but one of their starters to graduation, the defending Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 volleyball champion Lake Orion weren’t supposed to contend for a state title again this season.

   Instead, the Dragons find themselves heading back to Battle Creek and only two wins away from repeating as state champions.

   Unranked Lake Orion blasted upstart Mt. Pleasant 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-8) in their quarterfinal matchup at Lapeer to set up a battle with No. 2-ranked Lowell in the semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4:30 p.m. at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

   “I wouldn’t have believed you (about reaching the semifinals). Maybe in the summertime, when we played really good in scrimmages and stuff, but once the season started, I saw the inexperience,” Lake Orion coach Tony Scvarda told reporters.

   “Even a month ago, if you’d have told me that, I’d have said there’s no way. But they figured out a way to get a fire lit under them, and they’re going for it now.”

   Lowell eliminated No. 3 Mattawan, 17-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-14, in its quarterfinal match at Jenison on Tuesday.

 

 

 No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy plays Ann Arbor Skyline in the other Division 1 semifinal at 6:30 p.m.

   Lake Orion graduated 10 seniors and had another player transfer from last year’s championship team and fields a team that has more sophomores (three) and freshmen (one) and seniors (three).

   Captains senior Olivia Erwin, junior Kendall Robertson, and sophomore Jaina Macaulay provide leadership for the young team.

   “My libero, Olivia Erwin, provides great leadership. She’s just a consistent force in the back row, where we’ve had some struggles this season. She’s been a steady force for us back there,” Scvarda told reporters. “Our other two captains, Kendall, she’s a junior. She was the one starter that’s returning, so that’s a big thing for us. Jaina is a sophomore captain, one of my setters. She’s still learning yet, but she provides a lot of voice on the court. She’s a good communicator, so that’s why she’s a captain.”

   Lake Orion beat No. 6 Clarkston on the opening night of district play and edged honorable mention Oxford 3-2 to earn the district championship. They beat No. 9 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 3-2 in the regional semifinals before sweeping West Bloomfield in the regional final.

 

Lake Orion senior captain Olivia Erwin (1) serves against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion junior captain Kendall Robertson (19) has a kill against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion sophomore captain Jaina Macaulay (3) serves against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion freshman Nina Horning (13) has a kill against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion senior Kylie Andras (16) serves against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion junior junior Reagan Roeke (21) has a kill against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion junior Lauren Staruch (9) serves against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Lake Orion senior captain Olivia Erwin (1) dives to return a ball against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday.

Birmingham Public Schools, Birmingham, Michigan. Inspiring all learners to positively impact their world. Lake Orion Community Schools, Lake Orion, Michigan. Providing an exemplary education for all learners.