Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms

Liggett and South volleyball teams win district titles; North wraps up season

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Grosse Pointe South’s Claire DeBoer looks on as her shot clears the net in a match against Stevenson earlier this season. South captured a district championship last week. Photo by David Schreiber Grosse Pointe South’s Claire DeBoer looks on as her shot clears the net in a match against Stevenson earlier this season. South captured a district championship last week. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Grosse Pointe North’s Megan Lesha makes a play on the ball in an opening-round district match against Detroit Denby Oct. 30. North defeated Denby 3-0 prior to being defeated by Grosse Pointe South in a district semifinal. 0 Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Grosse Pointe North’s Megan Lesha makes a play on the ball in an opening-round district match against Detroit Denby Oct. 30. North defeated Denby 3-0 prior to being defeated by Grosse Pointe South in a district semifinal.

The volleyball postseason is under way, and at press time, University Liggett and South were still alive.

Liggett captured its second consecutive district championship after knocking off Harper Woods 3-0 in a Class C district final match Nov. 2, which was hosted by Liggett.

Two of coach Joe LaMagno’s goals for the season were to win an outright Michigan Independent Athletic Conference White Division championship and a district title. The Knights have done both, and LaMagno has his ideas as to how his team was able to turn those goals into realities.

“We took on a harder schedule than we did last season,” he said. “We played in tougher tournaments, (and) we played tougher teams to get ready for the state tournament. … They work hard, they listen, and they compete. That’s all I can ask them to do.”

Prior to beating Harper Woods, Liggett received a bye in the opening round of the district tournament before moving on to defeat Warren Michigan Collegiate 3-0 in the semifinal round.

The Knights took on Auburn Hills Oakland Christian in a regional semifinal contest Nov. 6, after press time. The winner of that match moves on to face Brown City or Burton Bendle in a regional final at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Memphis.

In other local volleyball district tournament news:
Grosse Pointe South also earned a trip to regionals after beating St. Clair Shores Lakeview 3-0 Nov. 2 in a Class A district final at East Detroit.

South defeated Detroit Southeastern 3-0 in the opening-round match, and followed that with a 3-2 victory over rival Grosse Pointe North in a semifinal.

South played Sterling Heights in a regional semifinal Nov. 6, after press time. The winner plays Macomb Dakota or Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse in a regional final at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore.

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