Stoney Creek defeats Eisenhower in district volleyball championship match

Stoney Creek had another helping.

Winners of a program-shaping volleyball match against Eisenhower last year, the Cougars did it again Friday night, riding strong middle-hitter play to a sweep of the Eagles in a Division 1 district championship match at Stoney Creek.

Ainsley Guse, who plays the middle, and front-row mates Nina Billotto and Kate Stration had 11 kills each to lead the Cougars to a 25-20, 25-21, 25-12 victory over MAC Red Division champion Eisenhower.

“We couldn’t stop their middle,” Eisenhower coach Caitlyn LaPratt said. “They were not huge, powerful swings, but great ball placement.

“That did us in.”

Stoney Creek outlasted the Eagles in a five-set, 2017 district semifinal that was a prelude to a 3-0 finals win over Romeo that gave the Cougars the first district championship in program history.

It was a significant victory, Cougar coach Ross Talbott said, because in 2016 Ike posted a five-set win over Stoney Creek in a district final for the Eagles’ second consecutive tournament triumph over the OAA school.

“That got us over the hump, gave us confidence,” Talbott said. “That experience goes a long way. It prepared us for tonight, prepared us to get this district title.”

Stoney Creek improved to 43-6-2 as it advanced to play either Walled Lake Northern or Walled Lake Western in the Lake Orion regional on Tuesday.

Eisenhower finished 29-16-3, including a 10-0 run through the MAC Red.

“We had a great season,” LaPratt said. “We went undefeated in Red play. We played great the first two rounds of district play.

“I appreciate the girls’ effort.”

Halle Liefers’ ace ended the match one point after Billotto’s kill put the Cougars ahead 24-12.

Consecutive kills by Guse and Ella Markevics pushed Stoney Creek’s lead to 21-11.

Earlier, Sydney Tomlak’s return from the back row found the floor and put the Cougars ahead 15-9 as they started to separate themselves from the Eagles in the third set.

“We passed real well,” Talbott said. “We passed well and got our middle (hitters) involved. Once they got the ball, they terminated balls.”

Talbott recalled that the 2017 match between Stoney Creek and Ike was a “barnburner.”

“It’s always fun to play Ike, because they’re such a strong team,” he said. “I watched them this week and they looked strong. They looked very, very good. I know they’ve had some injury problems, but I’m sure that when they’re healthy they’re a top 10 team.”

Walled Lake Western plays Walled Lake Northern on Saturday morning for the district championship at White Lake Lakeland.

Troy plays either Clarkston or Lake Orion in the other regional semifinal at Lake Orion on Tuesday.