Hornets reach Regional championship title game

Cadott senior Emma Kowalczyk (left) lightly tapped the ball over the net on her home court against Elk Mound Oct. 19, in the second Regional playoff match. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Each game of the post-season, Cadott’s volleyball program got stronger, propelling them forward in their bracket.

Oct. 17 vs. Augusta Regional (W 3-0)

Beginning the playoff run, No. 3 Cadott hosted No. 14 Augusta in the opening round of Regional action. The first set was close, but the Hornets pulled out the win, 26-24. From then on, it was smooth sailing, with Cadott claiming the next two sets, 25-15 and 25-17.

Senior Emma Kowalczyk led with 14 kills, 6 digs and 2 blocks, while sophomore Haley Mathison added 10 kills and 5 blocks, followed by junior Tarynn Donahue, with 11 assists, 4 aces and 6 digs.

Oct. 19 vs. Elk Mound Regional Semi-Final (W 3-1)

Two nights later, the Hornets played host to No. 6 Elk Mound, in the Regional semi-final.

In the first set, Elk Mound gave Cadott a run for their money, but the Hornets pulled it out, 25-20. By the second set, Elk Mound had righted themselves and captured a 2521 win.

Cadott refused to go down and came back to win the third set, 25-11. With determination to advance to the next phase of playoffs, the Hornets held on in the fourth set, to take a 25-19 victory.

Kowalczyk finished with 24 kills, 17 digs and 5 blocks, and Mathison notched 20 kills and 5 blocks, while senior Makenna Harel came away with 32 digs and 3 aces. Sophomore Karlee Davis ended the night with 31 assists and 4 aces.

Oct. 21 vs. Fall Creek Regional Championship (L 3-1)

It was then off to the Regional championship game two nights later, at Fall Creek, facing the No. 2 ranked Crickets.

Cadott found themselves down in the first set, 25-14, but came roaring back to take the second set, 25-23. The Crickets wouldn’t back down and ended the Hornets’ playoff run by taking the third set, 25-18, and the fourth and final set, 25-21.

Kowalczyk ended her last high school game with 10 kills and 19 digs, while Mathison had 12 kills and 2 blocks. Donahue added 10 assists, 2 aces and 11 digs on the night. Top honors of the night, however, went to Harel, who finished with 20 digs and 1 ace, to reach 1,000 digs, which was accomplished in the second set.