The Lady Lancers varsity volleyball team advanced through three levels of WIAA post-season play this last week, winning a Regional Championship Saturday night in the process. Our #2 seeded Lancers defeated #3 seed Oostburg Saturday night in the Lancer gym in three sets, 25-16, 25-22, and 25-19, taking the Regional trophy. We now advance to play #1 seed and #1 state-ranked Howards Grove Thursday in the Tigers’ gym in a sectional semi-final game.
Last week to advance to the game against Oostburg, the Lancers first defeated #15 seed Roncalli, 25-16, 25-16, 25-20 on Tuesday in the first round of the playoffs, and then played #10 seed Algoma Thursday night, defeating them 25-21, 25-20, 25-19 to advance to the Regional championship game.
Leading the Lancers in the match against Roncalli was senior Aubry Schleis, with a 95% serving percentage, including 5 ace serves, along with 4 kills, 10 assists, and 7 digs. Senior Jenna Gries had successful kills on all 4 of her kill attempts, and junior Sam Siehr had a 100% serving percentage, 4 kills, 11 passes, and 9 digs.
The Lancers had 31 kills in the game against Algoma, the most kills of the week. Siehr had 8, senior Emily Marohn had 7, senior MonRaye Ermis and Schleis each had 5, senior Emma Miller had 4 and sophomore Madison Luebke had 2. The Lancers were also on top of their serving game that night, with junior Jenna Lischka, along with Miller and Gries, having perfect serving percentages. Junior libero Mallory Mehlhorn had 6 ace serves, plus 16 passes, 3 assists and 9 digs. Siehr had 14 digs and a 90% serving percentage to go along with her kills. Schleis had 12 assists and 11 digs, and Lischka had 11 assists and 9 digs.
Against Oostburg Saturday night, the Lancers served successfully again, attaining an overall 91.9% serving percentage, and the blocking duo of Ermis and Luebke combined for 7 blocks to lead the way defensively. Ermis also led with 9 kills, while Marohn had 7. Libero Mehlhorn was strong defensively as well, with 15 digs and 23 passes, and she had 3 ace serves. Schleis led in assists with 12, and had 4 kills and 5 aces. Siehr had 2 solo blocks and 1 block assist, along with 11 digs.
Coach Lacey Behnke had these comments about the season so far and the upcoming matchup against Howards Grove, “The team at the beginning of the year had a goal to win conference, win regionals and get to sectionals. I was extremely proud of the way the team played. Even when we made some mistakes they never gave up. They fought for every point. These girls come every day to practice and work hard. They want to get better every day. They want to be one of the teams standing at the end.”
“I want to thank the fans. The energy in the gym last week was electric.“
“Thursday’s matchup vs. Howards Grove will be our toughest game of the season. Howards, the two-time defending state champion for Div. 3, will not go down without a fight. Our approach to the game is to live in the moment, play point by point and control our side of the net. The players are excited to play against one of the best teams in the state. This will be the third time we have faced them. We know their team well. I expect a fun and fast-paced match.”
Lancer Fans, come to Howards Grove Thursday night for the 7pm match against the 39-5 Tigers, and cheer our Lady Lancers to victory!
Varsity Games This Week
Thursday: WIAA Sectional Semi-Final VB game @ Howards Grove, 7pm
Saturday: WIAA State Cross Country Meet @ Ridges Golf Course, Wisconsin Rapids
3:05pm - Brooklyn Luebke races in the Girls Div. 3 race
Potential WIAA Sectional Championship VB
vs. Shoreland Lutheran/Kenosha Christian Life @ Williams Bay, Wis., 7pm
