Macomb Township

Dakota volleyball wins second consecutive regional championship

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Macomb Dakota coach Tracie Ferguson hoists the regional championship trophy as her players celebrate. Dakota earned its second straight trip to the quarterfinals with its win against South. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Macomb Dakota coach Tracie Ferguson hoists the regional championship trophy as her players celebrate. Dakota earned its second straight trip to the quarterfinals with its win against South.

Macomb Dakota’s volleyball team earned a trip to the quarterfinals after defeating Grosse Pointe South 3-0 in a Class A regional final match Nov. 8 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore High School.

Dakota took on Birmingham Seaholm in a quarterfinal match Nov. 13, after press time. The winner advances to the semifinals to face either Fenton or Northville at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 16 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

The Cougars were able to gain comfortable leads in each game, en route to victories of 25-17, 25-10 and 25-14.

At press time, Dakota had swept every match this postseason, which includes three district tournament victories, as well as a regional semifinal win against Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse Nov. 6.

Dakota coach Tracie Ferguson has her ideas as to why the Cougars have been on a roll this postseason.

“I think it’s just a total team effort,” she said following the match. “As a team, we are playing together. That’s what it’s all about. We’re having fun.”

Dakota also made it to the quarterfinals last season, dropping a 3-2 match to Lake Orion, which finished as state runner-up. Ferguson hopes that experience will help the Cougars as they will look to do something the program has never done before — earn a semifinals berth.

“I think we’re a little more level-headed,” she said. “Next week is going to be a big deal for us because we haven’t done it yet. Dakota volleyball’s never got past quarterfinals. I think that’s going to be a big test for us.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112. Follow Mark on Twitter.