Edgar edges Athens in regional title

‘Cats avenge loss to ‘Jays in crossover

By Casey Krautkramer

Edgar’s varsity volleyball team fought off a pesky Athens squad, 3-2, on Saturday night to win its first regional championship since 2003.

It just so happens Edgar also beat Athens in the 2003 regional title match. During that season, the Wildcats ended up playing in the state championships for the first time in school history.

Nearly 20 years later, Edgar won the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores against Athens on Saturday night. Athens rallied to easily win the third set, 2512, before winning a much closer fourth set, 25-21, against Edgar.

Edgar was able to prevail, 15-9, against Athens in a decisive fifth set to win the WIAA Division 4 regional championship match. Edgar’s large student section, which was dressed in Halloween costumes, stormed the Athens volleyball court to congratulate the Wildcat volleyball players.

Wildcats head coach Evan Krebsbach was elated his squad beat Athens this time around, after succumbing to the Bluejays 3-2 in a very competitive Marawood Conference second-place crossover match a few weeks ago in Marathon. He said his Edgar squad was “resilient” in beating Athens to win the regional title.

Edgar junior leader Reagan Borchardt knew Saturday’s night’s regional championship match would likely go five sets, just like in the conference crossover match against Athens.

“It feels awesome to win the championship,” she said. “We knew we had the talent to win the regional championship, and we knew that if we played our hearts out that we could do it.”

Edgar’s individual statistics against Athens weren’t available. Athens head volleyball coach Tanille Hartwig didn’t have any seniors on this year’s squad, which was still very young, therefore the future remains bright for the Bluejays. Athens started a pair of freshmen against Edgar, Bailey Hanke and Danica Diethelm, in the regional title match. Athens also started two sophomores, Jazelle Hartwig and Sophia Coker, along with a pair of juniors in Celina Ellenbecker and Savannah Epping. Sophomore Jenna Handschke led Athens with three ace serves against Edgar, while Jazelle Hartwig added two. Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 14 attack kills, while Lavicka added 12 and Sophia Coker 11. Lavicka led Athens with two solo blocks. Epping paced the Bluejays with 15 digs on defense and Lavicka added 12.

Athens concludes its 2021 season with a 25-10 match record, while Edgar improves to 22-5 and advances to sectional play. Edgar will play at Marshfield Columbus, 27-10, at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 28, in a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinals match. The Wildcats will attempt to limit Dons senior Dorci Walker, who is one of the best volleyball hitters in the state. The winner will advance to play the winner of the other sectional semifinal match between Three Lakes and Wabeno/ Laona in the sectional championship at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 30, in Bowler.

Edgar beat Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, 3-1, during Thursday’s home Division 4 regional semifinals match to advance into Saturday’s regional title match against Athens. The Wildcats downed the Royals by scores of 25-14, 24-26, 25-22 and 25-18.

Athens defeated Port Edwards in straight sets by scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-12 during Thursday’s home WIAA Division 4 regional semifinals match. Epping and Lavicka led Athens with six aces each. Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 11 kills, while Sydney Coker and Lavicka added seven apiece.

Sophia Coker collected four blocks, including three of them as block assists, while Lavicka added two block assists.

Lavicka led Athens with 19 pass assists and Jazelle Hartwig had 10. Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 12 digs, while Epping contributed 11 and Celina Ellenbecker had nine.