Mixed emotions on final day for Laville netters
BREMEN - Saturday was bittersweet for the Laville High School volleyball team.
The Lady Lancers had one of their most exciting victories of the year with a thrilling five-set afternoon win over Bremen in the Class 2A Sectional 35 semifinals before seeing their season end later that night to No. 21 South Central in the championship match.
“The girls really wanted it and were so ready to play,” said Laville head coach Pat Whiteman-gring of the semifinal win that avenged an earlier loss to the Lady Lions. “We really had it going on and we executed very well.”
Olivia Goze smashed a personal-best 16 kills in the match.
The sectional final was a different story as the Lady Satellites showed off its numerous hitters while winning in straight sets.
“They have speed we don’t see often,” admitted Whiteman-gring of South Central. “They play the court well and really have great movement. They have a phenomenal front row and their setter is great. They did a great job getting around our blocks.”
The Lady Lancers played SC even, 9-9, to end Set 1, but the Satellites held leads of 11-1 and 15-3 early on. Ella Schmack had seven kills and the team had 15 to take the 25-13 win. Goze had three kills and a trio of blocks for LV in that first set.
The second set stayed closer, with LV down just 11-8 at one point, but a late 5-0 spurt by SC pushed the advantage to nine before settling at 25-19. Tatum Wade had six kills to lead the SC offense.
The Lady Satellites jumped out to a 9-1 lead in Set 3, but to LV’S credit, the
team never let up, playing like the score was 0-0.
“Our girls keep playing,” added Whitemangring. “They are super enthusiastic and that is helpful. They are also so willing to change things up if we need to.”
LV was able to cut the lead to 11-10, but SC was able to slowly pull away to win, 25-16. Schmack had five kills and Tatum Wade four as SC totaled 15 in the last set and a whopping 41 for the match compared to 11 for the Lady Lancers.
The loss ends the careers of LV seniors Olivia Goze, Madelyn Fuchs, Abby Goffinet and Kaley Mejer.
“I’m going to miss them like crazy,” concluded Whiteman-gring. “Olivia and Madelyn have been great leaders. Olivia is our best hitter and Madelyn is very quick and played an important unassuming role. Abby has great hands and moves the ball around well as a setter. Kaley Mejer has been a good member of the team and very supportive of her teammates.”
South Central will now play in the regional semifinals back at Bremen HS on Oct. 23 against North Judson (11-18). No. 1 Andrean (28-5) and No. 13 Fairfield (20-10) play in the other semi.
• SOUTH CENTRAL def. LAVILLE 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 Class 2A Sectional 35 Championship
At Bremen
Laville stats:
Kills - Olivia Goze 7, Lucy Sherk 2, Madelyn Fuchs 1, Ava Fuchs 1 Aces - Goze 1, Sherk 1
South Central stats:
Kills - Ella Schmack 14, Tatum Wade 14, Piper Wade 7, Lauren Bowmar 3, Violet Noveroske 3 Aces - P. Wade 4, Hope Welsh 2, T. Wade 2
Records: Laville 11-17 (final), South Central 27-6
• LAVILLE def. BREMEN 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-8 Class 2A Sectional 35 Semifinal
At Bremen
Records: Laville 11-16, Bremen 7-23 (final)