Lenawee Christian, Addison volleyball ready for regional runs
Lenawee Christian is looking for a third straight Division 4 volleyball regional title this week.
Again as the No. 1 team in the state, the Cougars are the favorites to make it to a third-straight quarterfinal, but the challenge will be stiff.
"They are an amazing group of girls," coach Tenille Marowelli said. "They've been really committed to volleyball at a really young age. That's in season and out of season. They love each other and playing for each other. It's been fun to watch."
The first challenge will be Tuesday against No. 3 Hillsdale Academy.
"They are a great program, and we had a really competitive game against them in our season," Marowelli said. "They got a couple of leads on us. I was proud our girls were able to come back after losing the first set. They have a competitive outside and a great setter."
If LCS is able to get by the rival Colts, it'll be either be No. 7 Battle Creek St. Philip or an always good Lansing Christian program.
"We played against (St. Philip) in a tournament and saw them at a couple different tournaments," Marowelli said. "We're ready to take them on in the finals if we see them this year."
While the matchups will be tough, the drive won't be. The Cougars have a home county advantage, playing the regional at Morenci.
"We are thrilled," Marowelli said. "We know down the road the trip becomes hours away. So having an advantage of having it close by in a gym we've played in, we are so excited to have it in Morenci."
Looking to make a third trip to the quarterfinals is a group of experienced juniors and seniors.
Seniors Hannah Baker, Gabby Bryja and Sophia Somonek were on the floor in each of the last three tournament runs. They've had to step up with an injury to fellow senior Selah Clymer, as have a few others.
"It has shown the resiliency of some of these players," Marowelli said. "Callie Anderson has really stepped up on the outside, and Whitney Lilly has taken on a leadership role on the outside. Hannah is a game-changer; all season Sophie has been unstoppable at the net. Gabby is an incredible leader through her assists, but she runs the floor beautifully. She just got her 1,000th dig, so she's incredibly versatile and will learn the players so well she can adjust the offense to what the players need."
While the Cougars are regulars now in the second week of the MHSAA tournament, Addison is making its first regional appearance since 1987, back when volleyball was a winter sport.
"This is a very special group of girls," said coach Barb Brown. "Especially the seniors, they've worked for this for three years, a lot of them have been on the team since they were sophomores. We saw a little success last year and built off of that."
First up for the Panthers in the Division 3 regional at Jackson Lumen Christi is a familiar foe in Hanover Horton.
Addison beat the Comets in four sets (25-23, 17-25, 25-18, 25-19) back on Sept. 12 and Hanover Horton also helped the Panthers by handing Grass Lake its only loss in the Cascades Conference, allowing Addison to win the league title for the first time ever.
"Hanover puts up a huge block and picks up a lot of stuff," junior Molly Brown said. "Playing them will be a challenge for us."
If the Panthers defeat the Comets once again, awaiting might be the biggest challenge Addison can face.
Unless Grass Lake can pull off the upset, No. 1 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central will be waiting for Addison.
"We're excited to play a team that's new and will test our limits," Molly Brown said. "They'll push us to a different level."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee Christian, Addison ready to make MHSAA volleyball regional run
