Harrison Township

L’Anse Creuse volleyball team captures first district title since 2009, bows out in regional semis

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Deb Jacques The Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse volleyball team won three matches in four days Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 to win its first district title since 2009. Pictured is Lancers junior Jaevyn Wortham. Photo by Deb Jacques The Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse volleyball team won three matches in four days Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 to win its first district title since 2009. Pictured is Lancers junior Jaevyn Wortham.

ROSEVILLE— The Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse volleyball forgot all about its pedestrian regular season once the 2012 Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs began Oct. 29, according to coach Alysia Williams.

Gone were memories of its 13-30-1 overall record, which included a 0-10 mark in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division.

That renewed focus at the start of the postseason led to the Lancers winning the school’s first district title since 2009, as L’Anse Creuse downed Roseville High 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-10) in a Class A district final played Nov. 1 at Roseville.

The Lancers won three matches in four days to accomplish the feat.

“I told them that, once November hits, it’s a new season,” said Williams, whose team moved to 16-30-1 following its district championship.

“Everything we went through was to prepare us for (the playoffs). I think that’s why we were able to do what we did.”

L’Anse Creuse’s run ended in a 3-0 loss to Macomb Dakota in a Class A regional semifinal Nov. 6 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore. L’Anse Creuse junior Jaevyn Wortham said she’s proud of her team’s efforts. She said she doesn’ think a lot of people believed the Lancers would perform so admirably in the postseason.

“This just feels really good,” Wortham said. “We’ve been working really hard all year. It was tough for a lot of the regular season, but us working so hard and preparing so well has finally paid off.”

Williams agreed with Wortham, adding the tough sledding in the regular season showed that the Lancers have a strong mental makeup.

In advancing to the Nov. 6 regional semi match, L’Anse Creuse bested St. Clair Shores Lake Shore 3-0 Oct. 29 and came out of an 0-2 hole to best Fraser 3-2 Oct. 31 in districts before topping Roseville to win the district title.

“It would have been easy for these girls to quit, but everything is new for every team, come the playoffs,” Williams said. “You work hard with the dream of having nights like this. Now all of these girls have a trophy to show for their hard work and dedication.”

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