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Sports
By Patrick Browne
The Forest Park Lady Trojans continued their journey towards the State Finals in winning their District Championship over Wakefield 3–0 on Nov. 1 and moving easily through the first round of their Regional by defeating Lake Linden on Nov. 7.
The state ranked Trojans three-peated as District Champions defeating the Lakes in three sets: 25–19, 25–15 and 25–18. Despite having to travel three times to Wakefield during the week, the Lady Trojans showed no signs of fatigue.
The team “showed up each night, played with intensity and brought home another district trophy,” said Coach Bobbie Jo Anderson.
Leah Feldhausen is a standout All Conference player.
“We started off a little slow, but got the momentum and just kept moving forward,” she said. “We kept the positive energy up to take home another win.”
Led by a cadre of players all of whom are making a difference every match, the Trojans can credit Ema Stepien (seven kills, one assist, 10 digs), Leah Feldhausen (11 kills, one dig, two aces), Elsie Williams (four kills, 16 assists, five digs), Charlie Larsen (two kills, 12 assists, four digs, one ace), and Ava Fischer (six kills, nine digs, one ace), but they also benefit from having regular contributors whose timely plays keep the Trojans on the path to victory.
Anderson was exuberant in the victory and focused on the future.
“I’m super proud of our team,” she said. “Their hard work and dedication is paying off and we aren’t done yet.”
Shortly after the district championship, the Trojans had to once again take to the road and played the first match of their Regional against Lake Linden in Ewen Trout Creek on Nov. 7.
The Lakes knocked the Forest Park football team out of the playoffs on Oct. 28 to end the Forest Park football season and the Lady Trojans were out to even the score.
The Trojans took control of the match from the start and methodically wore down the Lakes. Winning the match in three sets (25–20, 25–17, 25–22), the Trojans were challenged but never at risk of losing the match. The victory set up a regional championship contest at West Iron against Stephenson, which earned the right to play by defeating Ishpeming 3–1. With a victory, the Trojans will be one of eight teams left in the state and take an additional step to the elusive state championship, which they lost last year in the semi-finals.
The honors for the Lady Trojans continued when the MIVCA Region 1 All-Region Team for 2023 was announced on Nov. 8. Four Trojans were named as All Region: Ema Stepien, Ava Fischer and Leah Feldhausen were named as players and Lindsey Anderson was recognized as sub-varsity Coach of the Year.