Waupaca’s volleyball team followed a sweep of Clintonville by tying for second place at the Bud Nelson Invitational in Abbotsford.

Bud Nelson Invitational

ABBOTSFORD – The Comets picked up wins over Marshfield Columbus, Loyal, Wisconsin Valley Lutheran, Colby and Abbotsford Sept. 28.

Waupaca defeated Columbus 25-18, 15-19; fell to tournament champion Spencer 25-20, 25-17; defeated Loyal 25-18, 25-20; fell to Stratford 25-17, 26-24; defeated Wisconsin Valley Lutheran 25-8, 25-13; beat Colby 25-19, 25-13; and knocked off Abbotsford 29-27, 25-18.

“We tied for second place and had a good day of volleyball,” coach Chelsea Benitz said. “Our hitters, especially Sydney Brooks in the middle, played very well. Macie Davidson, Sydney and Josee Waitrovich all had some incredible blocks against some very good hitters and if it got past the front row, Tina Rasmussen, Mandy Tomlinson and Brenna Oleson were ready and had some fantastic digs. Alyssa Nicewander continues to shine in the setter position for us as well.

“The girls were proud of how they played, but are not satisfied and are looking to bring home a trophy in our next tournament,” she said.

Waupaca 3, Clintonville 0

WAUPACA – The Comets picked up their third Eastern Valley Conference volleyball match Sept. 26 by sweeping the Truckers 25-17, 30-28, 25-12.

“The girls came out ready to play tonight,” Benitz said. “It has been an exciting week in school due to Homecoming festivities and they wanted to contribute to the excitement with a win.”

The Truckers nearly pulled off the win in the second game, but the Comets eventually pulled it out to go up 2-0.

“We made too many errors the second game and let the Truckers hang around,” Benitz said. “We needed one point to win a few different times, but we kept our composure, as it was not the first pressure situation we have been in this year. We were able to battle back for the win. We came back in the third game much stronger and were able to hold Clintonville to 12 points.”

Team leaders included Nicewander with 28 assists, Oleson with two aces, Davidson with nine kills, Brooks with four blocks and Rasmussen with 21 digs.

Waupaca will return to EVC play at 6:30 tonight (Thursday, Oct. 3) in Little Chute.