Mustangs end Notre Dame Prep run to win first district title since 2020
The Mustangs ended a two-year losing streak in the district finals with a four-set victory over the Fighting Irish.
By Priya Marino ·
Macomb Lutheran North volleyball defeated Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 25-18, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20 on Thursday night to secure the Division 2 district championship. The win on the Mustangs' home floor in Macomb Township marked their first district title since 2020. It also snapped a two-year losing streak in the district finals, where Notre Dame Prep had eliminated Lutheran North in consecutive years.
Lutheran North, ranked sixth in the state, improved its overall record to 39-3-0. This season record is the best in program history. Coach Paul Drdul noted that the team has lost in the district finals the past three years, with Notre Dame Prep responsible for the elimination last year. Drdul said the victory was the first district win during his tenure as head coach.
The Mustangs relied on a balanced offensive attack. Middle hitters Delaney Behring and Leighton Garner, along with outside hitters Sammy VanSteenkiste and Lily Verbeke, combined for 53 kills. Behring and VanSteenkiste each recorded 14 kills. Verbeke added 13 kills, and Garner contributed 12 kills. The team’s size and athleticism were key factors in wearing down the Fighting Irish during the first two sets.
Juliette Godwin led the team with 30 assists and 12 digs. Eleanore Martin provided 27 assists, while Victoria Burnham recorded 29 digs and 28 receptions. On the receiving end, VanSteenkiste also tallied 14 receptions and 17 digs. The team’s clean play and limited mistakes helped maintain pressure throughout the match.
Notre Dame Prep coach Betty Wrubel acknowledged the difficulty of blocking Lutheran North’s offense. Wrubel cited numerous injuries that affected her team, noting that they missed over 200 games due to health issues. She stated that the Fighting Irish had only played eight games this season with their best lineup available. Despite the injury concerns, Wrubel said her team remained competitive but struggled to find rhythm.
The match tightened in the third set. Lutheran North led 20-16, but Notre Dame Prep responded with a 9-3 run to take the set. In the deciding fourth set, the teams traded points until a 9-9 tie. Lutheran North then established a lead, closing the match with a 16-11 run. Jozlyn Clemens recorded four service points, and Campbell Bordogna finished the game with a block-kill.
Lutheran North advances to the regional semifinals hosted by Notre Dame Prep on Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. The Mustangs will face the winner of the Hazel Park-Ferndale district finals.
