Clinton Township

Clintondale volleyball coach sees success on the horizon

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Donna Agusti The Clinton Township Clintondale volleyball team will return 12 of 15 players from this year’s roster. Pictured diving for the ball is sophomoreMorgan Duda. Photo by Donna Agusti The Clinton Township Clintondale volleyball team will return 12 of 15 players from this year’s roster. Pictured diving for the ball is sophomoreMorgan Duda.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP— After their 3-0 loss to St. Clair Shores South Lake in a Michigan High School Athletic Association Class B district quarterfinal, the three seniors on the Clinton Township Clintondale were, understandably, emotional.

That didn’t stop them from reflecting on their time with the team.

“We’ll definitely miss the relationships we’ve built,” senior Terri Stewart said. “When you’re on team for a decent amount of time, you get really close with everybody, and that’s what I’ll miss the most.”

The Cavs beat the Dragons 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 in their district quarterfinal matchup, played Oct. 29 at Clintondale. The meeting was the rubber match between two Macomb Area Conference Silver Division teams that split two regular-season meetings.

South Lake (2-11 at press time) led for the majority of the first game, taking over after the game was knotted at two. The Dragons cut the Cavs’ lead to three at 18-15 before South Lake went on an 8-1 run to close out the first game.

Clintondale, which wrapped up the season 4-22, held the lead for much of the second game and took a 20-17 lead before South Lake rallied, going on a 8-1 tear to take a 2-0 lead.

In the third and final game, the Cavs jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back.

“I was pleased with how the team came out to start the match,” Dragons coach Michelle VanCamp said. “I thought they played well. We just played South Lake (Oct. 25), so we thought we’d be ready to go.”

The match would be the last for seniors Stewart, Brianna Harmsen and Ada-Marie Easterleing.

Harmsen said leaving the team is like leaving a family. In the minutes following the conclusion of the match, Harmsen said it hadn’t fully sunk in that her prep career was over.

Clintondale’s varsity squad fielded 15 players. Of the 12 expected back, seven are freshmen and sophomores.

The Clintondale coach said she expects sophomore Morgan Duda, sophomore Kalleigh Mathison and junior Jeana Fuller to lead next year’s team.

“We’re a pretty deep program — from varsity down to the freshman team,” VanCamp said. “We’ve got about 30 girls total in the program. I fully expect to compete and be successful next season.”

Other local volleyball teams in action

Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse opened its postseason with a 3-0 win over St. Clair Shores Lake Shore Oct. 29. The Lancers’ Oct. 31 Class A district semifinal matchup with Fraser High took place after press time.

Both Mount Clemens and Macomb Lutheran North played their playoff openers after press time. The Bathers and Mustangs received byes to the district semifinals.

Mount Clemens squared off against the winner of a Harper Woods High/Madison High matchup Nov. 1 in a Class C district semi.

Lutheran North faced St. Clair Shores South Lake Oct. 31 in a Class B district semi.

For more information on the MHSAA state volleyball playoffs, check www.candgnews.com or www.mhsaa.com.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.