With a team motto of ‘nothing hits the floor but us,? this year’s version of the Lake Orion varsity volleyball squad is sure to give it their all.
Coach Bob Howey moves up from the junior varsity level to take over for Mike Hatch as varsity coach.
The promotion of Howey allows for some continuity in the program, though the coach noted many of the current varsity players moved directly from the freshman team to the varsity.
The revitalized program is hoping to win the Oakland Athletics Association Division II crown, and move up to Division I as a result.
‘We are not very big, height wise,? Howey noted, ‘but we’ll play big.?
Seniors Kaitlin Denton and Sarah Brown will be key components of Howey’s squad.
‘The only concern I have right now is injuries,? Howey said.
Senior Rachel Bemman has a torn ACL and will miss the month of December, and junior Jacky Hardenburg will miss the first couple weeks of action.
‘Obviously, we’ll be a little stronger when we get those two back,? Howey noted.
Rachelle Boudry, who is a co-captain along with Brown and Denton is the fourth senior on the team, which features seven juniors.
In addition to Hardenburg, Jessica Bland, Ashley Bringard, Shawmee Davey, Courtney Kimmel, Katlyn Van Houzen and Lindsey Van Norman are the team’s 11th graders.
Alicia Roth is the lone sophomore on the roster.
‘I think we’re a strong team all the way through,? Howey noted. ‘From one through 12.?
The season started with a trip to the Imlay City Invite over the weekend, where the team went 4-4. Oxford took the title.
The Dragons were back in action on Monday night, starting league play with a trip to Royal Oak.
After splitting the first two games (25-19 and 21-25), the Dragons found another gear and took the final two games 25-18 and 25-21.
‘That’s what we needed to do, come down here and start the season with a win,? Howey said. ‘I really liked our intensity.?

The coach added that he was happy to see his team’s response after losing the second game.
He also was impressed by their balanced attack, saying their depth might be their biggest strength this season.
‘We’ll be good because we can spread the ball around,? Howey said.
Farmington Hills Harrison, which went undefeated in the OAA II last year, has moved up to the OAA I, leaving the door open for a team like Lake Orion to swoop in.
The Dragon schedule, which features seven weekend tournaments (including a home invitational on Jan. 13 and the league tournament at Stoney Creek on Feb. 10), will provide plenty of challenges.
‘Our district has changed a little bit,? Howey added, noting Clarkston and Rochester will make it a very competitive one.
The Wolves are on the Dragons schedule in February and Rochester, a league foe, will visit Lake Orion on Jan. 11.