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Lady Wolves do well in early season

The Lady Wolves varsity volleyball team played in their first competitions the week of August 22.

On both Tuesday, August 23 and Friday, August 26, the Wolves participated in tournaments with four other teams. They finished well in the tournaments, placing 2nd place out of 5 both nights. They faced some really good competition and played in many tight matches, which should help prepare them for the rest of the season. Both tournaments were played in a best-out-of-3 format, with the third set only being played if needed. In 7 out of the 8 matches the Wolves played the third set!

On August 23 the Wolves traveled to New London where they played against some much bigger schools. Their competition included: Green Bay East, Sheboygan Falls, Ashwaubenon, and the host team, New London.

Green Bay East won the tournament, but the Wolves gave them a run for their money. In the first set of the night Manawa beat Green Bay East 25-20. In the 2nd set, Green Bay East did not allow Manawa many offensive points and won easily 25-7. The final set was very intense. The teams played back and forth right to the final point. Having to win by two, Green Bay East finally finished the match, 16-14. Highlights of this match included five service aces by Krista Braun and 10 points from Kali Draeger (7 kills and 3 block kills). Aimee Drath played a very impressive defensive match, saving the ball 22 times.

In the second match of the night, Manawa faced off against Sheboygan Falls. The Wolves started the match with great intensity. They were able to win the first set 25-19. The second set unfortunately went to Sheboygan Falls, 16-25. The Lady Wolves found themselves having to play a third set once again. Unlike against Green Bay East, Manawa took control of this set early on and won the match, 15-8. Megan O’Brien was the point leader for this match. She had 8 points with 1 ace, 4 kills and 3 block kills.

The Lady Wolves played Ashwaubenon next. Just like the matches before, the Wolves took the first set, 25-21. Though Ashwaubenon won the second set it was much closer than the second sets in the previous two matches. The score was 22-25. It was very obvious that Manawa and Ashwaubenon were evenly matched. This became even more obvious in the final set when the teams played to extra points. In the end, Ashwaubenon was able to finish the match, 19-17. The Wolves middle hitters played really well against Ashwaubenon. Senior middle, Kali Draeger had 5.5 block kills while, junior middle, Ansley Block had 3.5.

In the final match of the night Manawa faced off against New London. The Bulldogs were the only other team who had really matched up against Green Bay East so the Wolves knew it would be a tough game. The first two sets were played much like the other 3 matches that night. The Wolves were able to win the first set of the match, 25-22, but were unable to finish in two sets, allowing New London to win 25-16 in the second set. Determined to show their true talent, the Wolves fought hard in the third set and were able to come out on top 15-13. Drath played a very important offensive and defensive role in her team’s win. She led her team with 27 digs and had the most kills with 9.

Draeger was the point leader for the tournament with 40.5. Other point contributors included: Drath (34.5), Braun (24.5), O’Brien (24.5), Block (13.5), Paige Schernecker (12.5), Wendy Kons (3), Torrie Dean (1), and Taylor Remington (1). Drath led her team with 62 digs for the evening with Kons, the team’s libero, close behind with 44. As the team’s main setter, Braun had 63 assists and Remington and Dean were 100 percent from the service line.

In their second tournament of the week the Wolves traveled to Marion to play against Tigerton, Wisconsin Valley Lutheran, Menominee Indian and the hosting Mustangs. The Wolves finished in second place with a 3-1 match record, only losing to a very good Tigerton team.

The Tigers were the Wolves first competition for the evening. Manawa knew that Tigerton was going to be a very tough team as they have excelled in sports the last couple years with the same set of athletes. With this in mind, the Wolves came out to play. They were able to win the first set against the Tigers, 25-22. Unfortunately, after the first set, Tigerton was warmed up and ready to play. They took the second set easily 25-12 and finished the match in the third set 15-5. Braun served very well against the Tigers, serving 100 percent (14-14) and contributing 3 aces. With 7 kills and 2 blocks, Draeger led her team with 9 points.

In their second match Manawa faced off against Wisconsin Valley Lutheran (WVL). As they had done in every match they had played in so far this season, the Wolves won the first set 25-20. In the second game it looked like they may break their jinx of having to play the extra set each match. Manawa led most of the match until service errors started to plaque them, allowing WVL to sneak back into the set and win 26-24. Knowing that they were the better team, the Wolves fought back in set three and won the match, 15-10. Block had a really impressive game at the net. She led her team in block kills and points. She had 7.5 points with 3.5 of them being block kills.

Next, the Wolves played against the Eagles of Menominee. This match was much the same as the one against WVL. The Wolves were able to win the first set, 25-17, lost the secondnd set in extra points, 27-25 and finished the match with a win, 15-10. Ten Wolves served in this match, with 7 of them serving 100 percent! These athletes included: Braun (16-16), Kons (8-8), Drath (7-7), Dean (5-5), Schernecker (5-5), Remington (2-2), and Kim Retzke (1-1).

In their last game of the week the Wolves were finally able to finish a match in 2 sets. Against the Mustangs of Marion the Wolves won decisively 25-9 and 25-17. With this win, the Wolves finished the week with a 5-3 match record and 13-10 set record.

Draeger once again was the point leader for her team at the Marion Invite. She had 27 points and Drath and Block were very close behind with 26 and 22.5. Other team members who scored points included: O’Brien (18), Braun (14.5), Schernecker (4), Retzke (4), Kons (4), and Olivia Levezow (1). Kons led her team with 35 digs, while Drath, Braun and O’Brien also played great defense. They had 33, 31, and 24 digs each. Braun was the leader in aces with 10 and also had 45 assists. Three team members were 100 percent from the service line during the tournament. These athletes were: Dean (8-8), Retzke (5-5) and Remington (2-2).

The Wolves play in one more non-conference match against the Lions of Brillion on Sept. 1sbefore starting conference play in Bonduel on the Sept. 6.

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