SPORTS - Volleyball sectional semifinals

SPORTS

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proud of the girls I am. There are so many moments against a great team that were just incredible. We had our moments where they could have taken over the match and our girls dug deep and showed grit. We’ve preached ‘gritty not pretty’ all season and this was an example. They had some big hitters that our block slowed down. It was just an incredibly hard fought match the entire way. The character we showed was incredible. The resilience and maturity we showed up with is something I’ll always remember and be proud of. This is a young team and at times we had two freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors on the court. I can’t help but be optimistic about the future and I’m so proud of the senior leaders for playing their roles so well and setting the example of what Edgar volleyball is.”

“We were led offensively by our pin hitters Ella Baumgartner and Naquene Ellenbecker with 12 and 10 kills. Defensively, we were led by our defensive dandy Kaitlynn Hartnady with 27 digs. We have so much to be proud of, so much to look forward to and so many incredible athletes coming up that the future is bright. The offseason will be well spent getting stronger, smarter and even more experienced. It’s seven months until summer ball starts and we’re going to be something fun and special.”

Tigers conclude season

Stratford volleyball fans were thinking it would be a quick 3-0 match win after the team got off to such a great start against Prescott in Thursday’s home WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinals match. The No. 1 playoff seed Tigers easily beat the Cardinals, 25-16, in the first set. No. 10 playoff seed Prescott, which played the role of Cinderella this offseason, said not so fast. The Cardinals ended up winning the next three sets by scores of 25-15, 27-25 and 25-17 to take the match and advance into Saturday’s sectional championship.

Stratford ends this season with a 31-4 record. Senior hitter Kalyn Schueller led the Tigers with 16 attack kills against the Cardinals while senior Daisy Yoder and junior Tria Tubbs added nine kills each. Schueller also led the Tigers with three serve aces. Sophomore libero Carly Pankratz paced Stratford with 16 digs and Schueller added 10. Junior Emily Zuelke, Yoder and Schueller led the team with two solo blocks apiece.

Stratford head volleyball coach Brooke Kafka was proud of her team’s effort this season in which the Tigers won back-toback Marawood Conference and WIAA Division 3 regional championships.

“We knew that coming into the playoffs we would be battle tested,” she said. “We are surrounded by many talented teams. I am very proud of our accomplishments this season. Although we fell short of our ultimate goal, our season is nothing to be disappointed in. Each day we tackled and overcame obstacles which in turn took us to the next level of play. The seniors we had in our program created a culture that works hard, creates a unity amongst their teammates and strives for the best. We will miss each and every one of them.”

Prescott won 3-0 regional road matches against No. 7 seed Elk Mound, No. 2 seed Marathon and No. 3 seed Fall Creek to advance into Thursday’s sectional road semifinals match against Stratford. Prescott’s cinderella playoff run ended on Saturday night when the Cardinals, 13-15, lost to No. 1 playoff seed Barron, 35-2, in three straight sets in the sectional championship match in Barron.

TIGERS SHARE A LAUGH IN THE SECTIONAL SEMIFINALS HUDDLE -

Stratford’s varsity volleyball players celebrate a point against Prescott during Thursday’s 3-1 WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinals match loss Stratford players pictured, from left to right, are senior Kalyn Schueller (9), sophomore Carly Pankratz senior Mckenzie Novotny (12), senior Laney Pankratz (4), senior Daisy Yoder and senior Emerson Roy.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER