Athens, Stratford capture regional titles

By Casey Krautkramer

Athens senior volleyball middle hitter Sophia Coker on Saturday was relieved to achieve the game-winning point against Stevens Point Pacelli in the WIAA Division 4 regional championship.

“It feels amazing and this is so fun,” she said. “I had chills about this match all day. I couldn’t sleep last night. We are doing this for each other because we are family. We don’t want to be finished yet because we have big goals in mind.”

Sophia Coker’s attack kill gave Athens a 25-16 win in the fourth set against Pacelli to give the Bluejays a 3-1 victory in the regional title match. Her twin sister, middle hitter Sydney Coker, had a pivotal kill to give the Bluejays a 24-16 lead in the fourth set.

“I’m so proud of her,” Sophia Coker said about Sydney.

Athens was able to win its second straight WIAA Division 4 regional championship, despite having one of its best players in senior outside hitter Addison Lavicka sidelined with an injury throughout this season. Lavicka did cheer loudly on the bench for her teammates.

“I gave her a hug and told her you don’t know how much this means to me that you are even able to sit on the bench with us,” Sophia Coker said. “She’s not out here on the court but her being there to talk to us and support us is absolutely amazing.”

Athens lost the first set, 25-18, against Pacelli in the regional title match. Athens bounced back to win the second set, 25-18, on senior outside hitter Jazelle Hartwig’s winning point. The Bluejays, however, found themselves losing 7-0 to begin the third set against the Cardinals. Athens rallied all the way back for a 25-21 victory on Sydney Coker’s game-winning point.

Bluejays head coach Tanille Hartwig said her team has matured mentally to where it can now dig itself out of a hole like it did in the third set against Pacelli. She was also relieved when Sophia Coker achieved the game-winning point in the fourth set. “I said thank you Jesus!”

Senior setter Faith Nowak led Athens with two serve aces in the match win against Pacelli. Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 16 attack kills and Sophia Coker added 13. Sophomore middle hitter Sy’Rih Hartwig led Athens with two solo blocks and Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 17 assists and 22 digs. Freshman Karly Eckert and sophomore Danica Diethelm contributed 13 digs apiece.

Athens beat Pittsville in straight sets during Thursday’s home WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal match by scores of 2518, 25-9 and 25-21.

Diethlem led Athens with four ace serves against Pittsville. Jazelle Hartwig paced the Bluejays with 16 attack kills and Sophia Coker added 13. Jazelle Hartwig led the team with 13 assists while Eckert added 11 and Nowak had eight. Diethelm and Jazelle Hartwig led Athens with 15 digs each.

The Athens volleyball team has a 30-11 match record this season heading into the WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinals match at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 26, at Marshfield Columbus which has a 37-5 match record. The Dons were ranked No. 1 in Division 4 this season.

The winner between Athens and Marshfield Columbus will play against the winner between Royall and Wonewoc-Center in the sectional championship at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, at Cashton High School for the right to qualify for state.

Tigers claim regional title

Stratford’s volleyball team fended off a pesky Edgar squad, 3-1, in Saturday’s home WIAA Division 3 regional championship match. The Tigers won the first two sets by scores of 26-19 and 25-20.

See REGIONAL TITLES/ page 11

BLUEJAYS FRESHMAN SENT OUT TO RECEIVE THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAQUE- The Athens volleyball team allowed freshman libero Karley Eckert to obtain the WIAA Division 4 regional title plaque from Athens athletic director Guyler Luther, following the team’s 3-1 home match victory against Stevens Point Pacelli. Athens volleyball players shown, from left to right, are Bailey Hanke, Karley Eckert, Danica Diethelm, Sydney Coker, Faith Nowak, Vanessa Espinoza and Jenna Handschke.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

THE THRILL OF VICTORY- Stratford volleyball players on Saturday night greet head coach Brooke Kafka holding up the WIAA Division 3 regional championship plaque after the Tigers beat the Edgar Wildcats, 3-1, at Stratford High School. PHOTO BY CINDY YODER Regional titles

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The Wildcats, however, wouldn’t accept defeat and they won the third set, 25-23. Stratford rebounded to win the fourth set, 25-23, to capture the regional crown.

It was Stratford’s first regional championship since 2019 when the Tigers won four straight regional titles from 2016 through 2019.

Junior outside hitter Kalyn Schueller led Stratford with 17 attack kills in the regional match victory against Edgar. Junior middle hitter Daisy Yoder added 11 kills and junior outside hitter Mckenzie Novotny had 10. Junior setter Emerson Roy paced the Tigers with 24 set assists and junior setter Laney Pankratz added 13. Sophomore middle hitter Tria Tubbs led Stratford with three solo blocks.

Schueller led Stratford with 27 digs while freshman Carly Pankratz added 13 and Novotny had 11.

Stratford beat Nekoosa, 3-1, in Thursday’s home WIAA Division 3 regional semifinals match. The Tigers won the first two sets by scores of 27-25 and 26-24. The Papermakers won the third set, 2520, but the Tigers prevailed by winning the fourth set, 25-21.

Schueller led Stratford with 20 attack kills and 24 digs. Novotny and Roy achieved three ace serves each.

Stratford has a 27-10 match record this season going into its home WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinals match at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 26, against La Crosse Aquinas which has a 20-10 match record this season. Both the Tigers and Blugolds received honorable mention in the final Division 3 rankings.

The winner between Stratford and La Crosse Aquinas will play against the winner between Cuba City and Mineral Point in the sectional championship at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, at Westby High School for the right to qualify for state.

Wildcats down Red Raiders

Edgar’s volleyball team advanced into Saturday’s WIAA regional championship at Stratford by winning Thursday’s regional semifnal match in Marathon.

The No. 5 seed Wildcats beat the No. 4 seed Red Raiders in straight sets by scores of 27-25, 25-20 and 31-29. It was truly a hard-fought playoff match between archrival schools.

Edgar sophomore libero Kaitlyn Hartnady achieved three straight ace serves in the third set win against Marathon.

“The fans give us more momentum and we really work on serve and pass in our gym, which is a really important thing for our team,” Hartnady said.

Edgar head coach Evan Krebsbach said he’ll forever hold the teams he’s coached the past two seasons in his heart.

“When I get to heaven and there’s a volleyball court, last year’s team will be there but these girls will be right there with them,” he said.

AN EMOTIONAL WIN- Edgar varsity head volleyball coach Evan Krebsbach on Thursday hugs his assistant coach, Cheryl Schreiner, after the team’s 3-0 win against Marathon in the WIAA Division 3 regional semifinals match. Edgar freshman twins Makita (7) and Naquene Ellenbecker (9) and senior Kyra Anderson (16) are shown.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER