In a thrilling matchup on March 15, 2024, the St. Clair Shores Lake Shore girls volleyball team staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Roseville High School 3-2 in a Division 1 pre-district match held at the Warren Mott gymnasium. After losing the first two sets 25-17 and 25-23, Lake Shore rebounded to win the final three sets, securing their place in the next round of the tournament.
Following the initial setbacks, Lake Shore’s veteran coach, Margaret Kwapisz, took her team aside to refocus their efforts. “I asked them, ‘Is this how you want to go out? Is this how you want to end your season?’” Kwapisz explained. The response was evident as the Shorians transformed their performance, showcasing resilience and determination by winning the subsequent sets 25-17, 25-13, and 16-14.
The victory was particularly significant given the absence of senior outside hitter Sophia VanDenstorm, who has been sidelined by a back injury. VanDenstorm, a key player and team captain, recently committed to play softball at NCAA Division I Mercyhurst University. Her absence posed a challenge for the team, but the Shorians proved their depth and tenacity.
Despite the early lead taken by Roseville, which has developed into a competitive rival over recent years, Lake Shore’s ability to adapt was crucial. Kwapisz acknowledged the efforts of the Roseville team, stating, “They are as scrappy a team as there is. They dug just about everything up.” The coach noted that had her team played with the same intensity in the first two sets, the match could have concluded more swiftly.
Lake Shore’s performance was highlighted by strong contributions from several players. Grace Schmidt led the charge with 14 kills, eight digs, and seven aces. Liana Williams added eight kills, 24 digs, and nine aces, while Makayla Blumsenschein provided three kills, three digs, three blocks, and two aces.
On the opposing side, Roseville’s I’Yana Lee-Faulkner recorded 28 assists, with Asiyah Stewart-Ellis contributing 14 kills. Despite the loss, Roseville’s season concluded with a record of 7-14-1.
With this victory, Lake Shore improves their record to 11-12-2 and advances to face Warren Woods-Tower in the district semifinals, scheduled for 17:30 at the same venue. Kwapisz and her team will seek to build on their momentum as they continue their journey in the tournament.
