Lakewood Quad Takeaways & Standouts
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It was a big weekend of volleyball, with a lot of Battle Creek-worthy matchups.
We took a look at the Grand Rapids Christian quad, and the featured contests there.
But, Lakewood also played host to a great quad that included Lowell, Notre Dame Prep and Marshall.
It was a great day for the host Vikings, who went 3-0 and avenged their only loss of the season to Lowell.
Here’s some takeaways from the quad, as well as some standout performers.
Lakewood
The Vikings really looked impressive, not dropping a set on the day.
They bested Marshall (25-16, 25-19), Notre Dame Prep (25-14, 27-25), and Lowell (26-24, 25-19) to improve to 24-1 on the season.
Miss Volleyball finalist Aubrey O’Gorman Aubrey O’Gorman 6'3" | MB Lakewood | 2021 State MI and her sister, junior Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI were dominant on the floor. Their combined size is hard for anyone to deal with, then you add in their explosiveness and athleticism, and they are nearly unstoppable. The two alone combined for 12 blocks.
Aubrey had 31 kills over the six sets and hit an eye-popping .596 for the day. Maradith had a team-high 34 kills and drew a lot of attention when one of her swings broke the net against Notre Dame Prep.
Sophomore setter Skylar Bump Skylar Bump 5'7" | S Lakewood | 2023 MI has raised her game a lot after a big freshman season. Bump is very in sync with her hitters and was impressive in her blocking efforts. Bump and Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI each had four aces on the day as well, as Lakewood served very well as a team.
Freshman Carley Piercefield Carley Piercefield 5'4" | DS/L Lakewood | 2024 State #90 Nation MI looks to be the real deal at libero. She had 34 digs and was all over the floor for the Vikings. She’s got great positioning and plays like a veteran already.
Zayda Kruger and Alli Pickard Alli Pickard 5'6" | DS/L Lakewood | 2023 State MI were unsung heroes on the day, as their passing was a real strength to allow Lakewood to stay in system throughout the quad.
If the Lakewood that showed up on Saturday shows up during the postseason, the Vikings might see themselves raising a state championship.
Lowell
The Red Arrows went 2-1 on the day, besting Notre Dame Prep (25-13, 21-25, 15-13) and Marshall (25-16, 25-13).
Lowell hasn’t had sophomore middle Aubreigh Oswald Aubreigh Oswald 6'2" | MB Lowell | 2023 State MI on the floor after her standout freshman year, leaving the Red Arrows with fewer finishers at the net.
Jenna Reitsma Jenna Reitsma 5'11" | OH Lowell | 2021 State MI is as impactful as anyone in the state and she had 60 kills on the day, but she does have to take a lot of swings. Middle Emily Struckmeyer Emily Struckmeyer 6'1" | MB Lowell | 2022 State MI was next for Lowell in kills with 16, while hitting .455.
Sophie Powell knows where to feed Reitsma and does a good job of setting some great feeds in tough situations. Defensively, Emma Hall Emma Hall 5'11" | DS/L Lowell | 2021 State MI is a veteran and very poised in the back row.
The key going forward for Lowell will be for some of their younger players to take that next step. Finding a more consistent compliment to Reitsma on the outside would go a long way.
On a side note, credit to Lowell coach Jordan Drake, who’s team was the benefit of a bad call but Drake let the ref know they made a mistake, rewarding the point to Lowell’s opponent.
Notre Dame Prep
The Irish had some key players out for an extended period of time as they were forced to quarantine due to a COVID-19 situation, but they were back together on Saturday.
There was some rust along the way, but Notre Dame showed glimpses of why it remains one of the best in the state.
The Irish won a set from Lowell and picked up a 25-17, 26-24 victory over Marshall.
NDP has some strong hitters in Sophia Sudzina Sophia Sudzina 5'10" | OH Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State MI and Aly Borellis, but the Irish have a hard time going swing-for-swing with teams like Lakewood and Lowell. Where they shine is their impeccable defense, and that is what will help ND come the postseason.
Olivia Kowalkowski Olivia Kowalkowski 5'4" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2021 State MI has raised her intensity level this year and is proving to be a great leader from the libero position. Josie Bloom Josie Bloom 5'6" | DS/L Notre Dame Prep | 2022 State #150 Nation MI is a top-level defender as well, and even filled in recently at setter while Borellis and Margo Sudzina Margo Sudzina 5'6" | S Notre Dame Prep | 2023 State MI were unavailable. That just showed Bloom’s great all-around skillset.
Borellis is back, though, and continues to be a tremendous contributor in every aspect of the game. You don’t find many players that can do what she does as the level she does.
Marshall
The Redhawks drew the short straw on Saturday in terms of wins, but they were not far off from a much different day.
Marshall has to work itself out of giving up long rallies. Those were what dug them too deep a hole in some sets.
One thing is clear, Marshall has the hitting to compete with anyone. Abby Welke and Olivia Webber are two explosive and experienced hitters.
Webber was really dropping the hammer against Lakewood and testing herself against the O’Gorman sitsters.
Welke can bring the thunder as well and has a very strong serve that was causing problems for all three opponents.
The key going forward for Marshall is if the others can raise their game to the level of these two seniors. In Division 2, it’s going to be tough to break into that upper echelon without consistency at all positions. Lakewood showed where the bar is at.