Stratford volleyball moves on in playoffs

SPORTS

Tigers down Hornets in straight sets

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford volleyball senior Allyson Zuleger was constantly achieving ace serves against Colby on Tuesday night during the Tigers’ 3-0 WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinals home match win against the Hornets.

The Tigers dug themselves into an early deficit against the Hornets in the first set, but Zuleger’s two straight aces and senior Hailey Chapel’s attack kill gave Stratford a 24-19 lead. Stratford won the first set, 25-19, on Colby’s hit out of bounds.

Stratford took control of the match following its come-from-behind victory in the first set. Chapel obtained three straight aces early in the second set to help the Tigers eventually grab a 25-14 win. The Tigers jumped out to an early 7-1 lead against the Hornets in the third set, but the Hornets stormed back to make it a competitive set. Chapel secured a couple key kills near the end to help Stratford to a close 26-24 victory in the third set to take the match.

Zuleger led Stratford with nine aces and Chapel added four. Junior Tessa Berg and Chapel paced the Tigers with nine kills apiece and Berg led the team with two blocks. Zuleger paced Stratford with 18 pass assists and four digs on defense against Colby.

No. 5 seed Stratford advances to play at No. 4 seed Westfield Area in a WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal match at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 21. The winner would play in a regional championship match this Saturday, Oct. 23.

Athens wins 3-0

The Athens volleyball team defeated Spencer in straight sets in Tuesday’s WIAA Division 4 home regional quarterfi nals match by scores of 25-8, 25-6 Regional

and 25-13.

Junior Celina Ellenbecker led Athens with five ace serves, while junior Savannah Epping contributed three, sophomore Jazelle Hartwig two and senior Jenna Handshake one. Sophomores Addison Lavicka and Sophia Coker paced the Bluejays with 10 attack kills each. Lavicka also led Athens with 14 pass assists and Hartwig added 11. Epping paced Athens with 12 digs on defense, while Hartwig and Lavicka had eight apiece. Ellenbecker added seven digs in the victory against Spencer.

No. 2 Athens advances to play in a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinals home match against No. 7 Port Edwards at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 21. Athens is likely to play a home regional championship match against No. 3 seed Edgar this Saturday, Oct. 23.

Edgar 3-0 victors

Edgar’s volleyball squad easily beat Loyal in straight sets in Tuesday’s WIAA Division 4 home regional quarterfi nals match by scores of 2511, 25-11 and 25-12. Individual Edgar player statistics were not provided.

No. 3 Edgar advances to play in a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinals home match against No. 6 Wisconsin Rapids Assumption at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 21. Edgar will likely play at No. 2 Athens in a regional championship match this Saturday, Oct. 23.