Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens

Volleyball moves into postseason

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Lutheran North’s Kaitlyn Gilchrist (10) prepares to hit the ball while a pair of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep players go up for a block during a competition earlier this season. The volleyball state tournament kicks off this week with the district round. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Lutheran North’s Kaitlyn Gilchrist (10) prepares to hit the ball while a pair of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep players go up for a block during a competition earlier this season. The volleyball state tournament kicks off this week with the district round.

The volleyball regular season came to a close last week, giving way to the state tournament, which kicks off this week.

Here’s a breakdown of each local team. Check out our website at www.candgnews.com for updates, photos and features from throughout the tournament.

Class A

Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse was slated to take on St. Clair Shores Lake Shore in an opening-round district match Oct. 29, after press time.

The winner of that game advances to a 4 p.m. Oct. 31 semifinal against Fraser High, which received a first-round bye. The district final is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 1. Both the semifinals and finals are at Roseville High. The host Panthers and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley both got byes and were set to meet in the other semifinal to round out the district.

Warren Regina received a bye and is set to take on the winner of Sterling Heights High and Warren Woods Tower in a 5 p.m. Nov. 1 semifinal at Warren Cousino. The host Patriots will play Warren Mott in the other semifinal 30 minutes following the conclusion of Regina’s match. The finals are set for 6 p.m. Nov. 2.

Class B

Clinton Township Clintondale was also scheduled to start district play after press time, facing St. Clair Shores South Lake in the first round.

The winner of that match plays at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 semifinal against Macomb Lutheran North, which received a bye. The final is at 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The semis and final will be at Center Line High. The host Panthers faced Detroit Osborn in an opening match, while Warren Lincoln took on Harper Woods Chandler Park in the first round. The winners of those matches would play in a 5 p.m. Oct. 31 semifinal.

Class C

Mount Clemens High received a first-round bye and will play the winner of Madison Heights Madison and Harper Woods High in a 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 semifinal at Grosse Pointe University Liggett.

The host Knights also received a bye and will take on the winner of Warren Michigan Collegiate and Detroit Winans Academy in the other semifinal, at 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The final is at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2.

Tournament rolls on

Volleyball regionals are set for Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, while the state quarterfinals are Nov. 13 at various sites. Should L’Anse Creuse or Regina win their respective districts, they would advance to a regional hosted by Lake Shore. Clintondale or Lutheran North would move on to a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep-hosted regional. And Mount Clemens would move on to a regional at Memphis High. Check out www.mhsaa.com for more info.

The state semifinals (Nov. 15-16) and finals (Nov. 17) will be held at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040. Follow Jon on Twitter.