Lakers' Stellar Season Sets Stage for Promising 2024

CEDAR RAPIDS, IW. - In an impressive rebound performance at the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament, the FLCC women's volleyball team secured a decisive win in the consolation round against the Knight of Northern Essex Community College. The victory marked the Lakers' first win of the tournament as they continued to battle for 9th place. 

Sophomore Brooke DeGroff (Castile, N.Y./Letchworth) emerged as the leader for the Lakers, notching 13 kills and finishing with 14 points. Teammate Payton Stoddard (Bloomfield, N.Y./Bloomfield) played a vital role in the offense, contributing 23 assists while also being a force at the service line with 4 aces. Stoddard added to an overall performance by contributing 11 digs on defense. 

Freshman Bridget Miller (Seneca Falls, N.Y./Mynderse) provided significant support on offense, adding 4 kills and 4 aces to the team's tally. Her presence was felt at the net, contributing a solo block and a block assist, totaling 9.5 points in the match. Classmates Lauren Pilon (Kendall, N.Y./Kendall) and Leah Williams (Olean, N.Y./Olean) each contributed 2 kills, with Williams also adding a block assist to her tally. 

Michelina Williams (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) played an important role on defense with 11 digs to go along with 1 kill and 3 service aces against the Knights. Sophomore Kierstin Comerford (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) came off the bench and would make her presence felt at the service line with 4 aces.  

As all good things must come to an end, the Lakers would face off against the Caldwell Tech Cobras who would walk away with a 3-0 sweep over the Lakers. Another historic season would come to an end for the Lakers squad that secured a third-consecutive NJCAA Region III Championship and NJCAA DIII National Tournament appearance this season; the Lakers' lone championship wins and appearances in program history. 

Sophomore Brooke DeGroff who has consistently stood out as one of the Lakers' top performers in her two seasons with the squad, delivered 10 kills and 11 points in her final match donning blue and green. Teammate Bridget Miller was another key player for the Lakers, delivering 12 kills with an efficient .267 hitting percentage. Miller's performance would include 2 aces and a block assist to finish with 14.5 points. 

Freshman Payton Stoddard managed 22 assists and added 2 aces to her total. Teammate Michelina Williams led the team on defense with 15 digs while adding in a kill and service ace. 

The Lakers, under the leadership of a talented roster including Brooke DeGroff, Payton Stoddard, Michelina Williams, Leah Williams, Bridget Miller, Kiane Wells (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas), and Jordan Winton (Sherburne, N.Y./Sherburne-Earlville), have demonstrated a level of dominance this season that sets the stage for a promising future. With many key players returning for the 2024 season, the Lakers are well-positioned for continued success. 

Sophomore Brooke DeGroff was a standout performer this season, leading the team with 249 kills and showcasing her versatility with 208 digs, culminating in a total of 318 points. Freshman Leah Williams made an immediate impact in her freshman campaign, finishing with 186 kills and 30 blocks. 

Setter Payton Stoddard was instrumental in the Lakers' offensive strategies, amassing an impressive 828 assists and contributing significantly with 182 digs and 119.5 points. Kiane Wells, known for her efficiency, added 149 kills with a remarkable .338 hitting percentage and was a defensive asset with 31 blocks, totaling 166 points for the season. 

Bridget Miller, a freshman, demonstrated her all-around skills with 151 kills, 127 digs, and 15 blocks, marking her as a key player for the team while teammate Michelina Williams anchored the team's defense as the libero, leading with 362 digs and enhancing the offense with 74 service aces. 

The collective contributions of these players have not only defined the Lakers' current success but also hint at the potential for the upcoming season. With their current talent joined by another promising freshman class, the Lakers are poised for another dominant run in 2024 under head coach Andrew Solomon.