Young Bluejays are still learning

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens varsity volleyball squad won its first Marawood North Conference match on Oct. 1 with a 3-0 home sweep against Chequamegon.

Athens’ lone senior, Bailey Hanke, could be seen directing her younger teammates on the court. The Bluejays started two freshmen, Jaci Hart and Jaelin Switlick, against the Screaming Eagles. Sophomore Karly Eckert, along with juniors Sy’Rih Hartwig and Alyvia Haehlke, joined Hanke and the pair of freshmen in the team’s starting lineup against Chequamegon.

Bluejays head volleyball coach Tanille Hartwig admitted her young team is going through a learning curve this season.

“We do have young players on the court with very little varsity experience,” she said. “The girls are working hard every day and gradually adjusting to the speed and complexity of the game. With so many things to learn, it can be overwhelming at time, but they are ready for the challenge and have been showing great signs of growth. Bailey (Hanke) has done a great job utilizing her leadership skills on and off the court. We are blessed to have a senior that is willing to help the younger players in any way that she can. With every game that we play, our team is able to recognize improvements that will prepare us for the postseason.”

Sy’Rih Hartwig and Alyvia Haehlke led Athens with six ace serves each in the match win against Chequamegon. Switlick added four aces and Hanke had two. Sy’Rih Hartwig paced the team with 16 attack kills. Eckert led Athens with 16 digs and Alyvia Haehlke with 14 pass assists.

Athens lost 2-0 matches to Auburndale, Edgar and Mosinee during Saturday’s Edgar quad. Athens also lost a road match to Phillips, 3-1, on Tuesday. Athens now has a 4-20 match record this season.

Red Raiders beat Wildcats

Marathon’s varsity volleyball team rebounded from a 3-1 home match loss to Auburndale on Oct. 1 to defeat arch-rival Edgar, 3-2, Tuesday on the road. Marathon now has a 20-9 overall match record this season. The Red Raiders received honorable mention in Division 3 in this week’s Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Edgar has a 15-13 match record this season after losing to Stratford, 3-0, on Oct. 1, losing 2-0 to Auburndale and Mosinee in Saturday’s home quad, beating Athens, 2-0 in the home quad and losing Tuesday’s home match, 3-2, to Marathon.

Junior Emma Love led Marathon with 14 kills in the team’s 3-1 match loss to Auburndale. Senior Chenpieng Phakitthong paced the team with 16 pass assists. Senior Katie LeBlanc and sophomore Katelyn Love led the Red Raiders with 17 digs apiece.

Tigers keep rolling

Stratford varsity volleyball senior Kalyn Schueller has achieved 1,000 career attack kills and 1,000 career digs within this past week. She’s also helped the Tigers win 19 consecutive matches following Tuesday’s 3-0 match victory against Wisconsin Rapids Assumption.

The Tigers currently have an impressive 27-3 match record this season and are ranked No. 4 in Division 3 in this week’s Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

ATHENS CELEBRATES AN ACE SERVE - Athens varsity volleyball players react to freshman Jaelin Switlick’s ace serve during the team’s 25-23 first set win against Chequamegon. Bluejays players pictured, from left to right, are Bailey Hanke, Switlick (5), Alyvia Haehlke (12), Jaci Hart (1), Sy’Rih Hartwig (3) and Karly Eckert.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

ELATED ABOUT HEISE’S ATTACK KILL - Marathon varsity volleyball players show their excitement after senior Kayla Heise’s kill against Auburndale on Oct. 1. Red Raider players pictured, from left to right, are Mayven Schneider (5), Katelyn Love (4), Heise, Brinly Stencil (3) and Mylee Haehlke.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER