The finals of the State Girls Volleyball Tournament will have a familiar look to it as the champions of all four divisions return to defend their title Saturday after winning in the semifinals Friday at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
It’s the first time in tournament history that the previous year’s champion in each division return to the championship final.
Defending champion Divine Savior Holy Angels advances to the final following a 28-26, 25-23, 25-13 triumph over Appleton North. Annie Ertz and Katie Arnold led the Dashers’ offensive arsenal with 16 and 14 kills, respectfully. The Dashers compiled a .345 hitting percentage for the match and held the Lightning to a .026 percentage. Alyssa Wolslegel was the offensive leader for the Lightning with nine kills.
Oconomowoc will attempt to dethrone the Dashers as State champions following its 20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 win over Verona in the semifinals. Amanda Gervens recorded 12 kills, and Leah Fenske added 11 to lead the Racoons attack. Kylie Schmaltz led Verona with a match-high 13 kills.
Divine Savior Holy Angels (45-5) and Oconoomowoc (31-1) will play for the Division 1 title Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Defending Division 2 champion Catholic Memorial will play for another State title Saturday after sweeping Notre Dame in the semifinals. Maddy Rondeau recorded a match-high 12 kills and 15 assists to pace the Crusaders’ offensive attack. Grace Campbell had 11 kills for the Tritons.
East Troy gained it berth in the Division 2 final with a 30-28, 25-13, 25-17 win over Altoona. Mary Dodge hit for a .440 percentage in compiling 25 kills. KaSandra Springer had a team-high 18 kills with a match-high 19 digs in the Railroaders’ cause.
Catholic Memorial (36-14) and East Troy (32-9) will battle for the Division 2 crown Saturday at 2 p.m.
In the Division 3 semifinals, defending champion Waterloo battled back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Regis 25-14, 24-26, 13-25, 25-16, 15-13. Madeline Mosher was a terror at the net for the Pirates with a match-high 41 kills and a .310 hiiting percentage to go with 25 digs. Her kill total ranks second-most recorded in a Division 3 match. Claire Mosher dished out 48 assists. Regis was led by Shae Brey with 22 kills.
Lake Country Lutheran also advanced to the final on Saturday with a five-set victory over Lourdes by scores of 22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12. Brooke Andersen provided most of the Lightnings’ attack with 28 kills. She also recorded eight blocks and 12 digs on defense. Lourdes was led by Sam Jaeke with 25 kills, 16 digs and five blocks.
Waterloo (33-11) will play Lake Country Lutheran (37-5) in the Division 3 championship match Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
In the Division 4 semifinals, two-time defending champion Newman Catholic will go for a three-peat after sweeping Living Word Lutheran 25-23, 25-21, 25-15. Mariah Whalen recorded 31 kills, which sets a Division 4 record for a three-set match. Her hitting percentage of .529 ties for third-best in a three-set match in Division 4. The Timber Wolves were led by Keri Wlaker and Sophie Hoelz, each with nine kills.
Southwestern advances to the final after downing Clayton 25-10, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19. Michelle Budden had 27 kills to lead a Wildcats’ hitting attack that recorded a .360 kill percentage for the match. Clayton was led by Alison Leslie with 11 kills.
Newman Catholic (39-1) and Southwestern (27-1) square off in the DIvision 4 championship match Saturday at 9 a.m.