Well the Lightning rod was directing infront of William unless Alysis can control her lightning at such a young age to do hairpin turns, it would work much like how heat seeker missiles fuck up. 

And how can Alysis control the direction of the lightning anyways, an existence origin doesn't explain that really. Maybe a control origin, but an existence based on what it has done in the past works as Quintessence if used with lightning somewhat. And I still don't know what she placed in the earth? Prana, Electricity, and it needs to pass through ice and snow first anyways.