BHS, CCHS volleyball teams on track to defend state titles
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
After missing out on the WIAA state girls volleyball tournament for 12 straight seasons, the Burlington High School girls volleyball team can now be called a Resch Center regular.
The same goes for the Catholic Central High School girls.
Both squads earned yet another trip to Green Bay and the state tournament at the Resch Center by virtue of winning their WIAA sectional titles Saturday.
The Demons earned their fourth straight trip by downing Westosha Central, 25-17, 25-17, 25-10 to earn a shot at defending their Division 1 title, while CCHS beat Sheboygan Area Lutheran 25-17, 25-20, 25-14.
It is the third straight trip for the Lady Toppers, who finished second in 2010 and won the state title last year.
The Demons open state play today with a quarterfinal match-up against De Pere at 7:30 p.m., while Catholic Central will face Luck at 10 a.m. Friday in a Division 4 state semifinal.
Seniors key for BHS
For Burlington, the victory over Westosha Central was its fourth of the year – and an affirmation of the talent the team has in spite of losing seven seniors from last year’s team. This year, four-year starters Ciara Capezio, Kaysie Shebeneck and Morganne Longoria have helped a young team find its own identity.
Two other seniors, Abby Schmalfeldt and Sam Webb, have fit in as role players.
“Of the five, three have started since their freshman year … and have played instrumental roles in our state runs each year,” said co-head coach Teri Leach, who shares the duties with Dan Lynch. “Those kids are battle tested. They can set the tone.
“They know what it takes to win up there.”
And the team seems to have bonded.
“It’s awesome,” said Capezio. “I couldn’t do it without them.”
Longoria added, “I honestly couldn’t have done it without all of these girls. Best feeling ever.”
Shebeneck said: “I’m so lucky to have such a great program.”
’Toppers step up
It’s been much the same this season for Catholic Central, which lost four seniors last year, all of whom played a significant role on the team.
Now, this year’s seniors – Maggie Smith, Kelly Gould, Brittany Martin, Ali Wiemer, Sara Seib and Caitlin Rach – have stepped up.
“I’m super excited,” coach Mae Mae Oberhofer said. “I think it speaks volumes to this senior class. We graduated a lot of senior leadership last year. This senior class learned a lot from the previous senior class.
“They’re excited to go into the last week of the season.”
Of course, now, the goal for both squads is to see just how far they can go.
“We’re going to take everything (match by match),” said Shebeneck follow Saturday’s sectional final. “But we want another one, I think.”
Leach added, “It’s been their goal since day one. They set their sights on another state title.”
Oberhofer is similarly enthusiastic. Of course, as she told Gould and Smith this week, they get to end their season at exactly that – the end.
“I told Kelly and Maggie, ‘At least you know when your season is ending, at the end of this week. Isn’t that a nice thing to know?’”
Smith is excited about the possibilities.
“Oh my gosh, it’s surreal,” she said. “It’s still the dream that’s coming true once again.
“It’s amazing.”
Follow the teams online
Follow the state tournament fortunes of the Burlington High School and Catholic Central High School girls volleyball teams online with the Standard Press beginning Thursday.
Sports Editor Jennifer Eisenbart will provide live game blogs and regular updates about the local teams as they attempt to defend their state titles.
You’ll find the coverage on www.myracinecounty.com on the sports tab.
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