WIAA State Tournament Recap: Division 4
Newman Catholic of Wausau would be coming in trying to do what few others have ever been in position to complete, a state title for the fifth year in a row. This year’s team, having played a tough non-conference schedule,…
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Continue ReadingNewman Catholic of Wausau would be coming in trying to do what few others have ever been in position to complete, a state title for the fifth year in a row. This year’s team, having played a tough non-conference schedule, led by UW-Milwaukee recruit Rylie Vaughn, would have to get past Clayton. Clayton’s only two losses were to River Falls which was the runner-up in Division One and Minneapolis Southwest in Minnesota. On the other side of the bracket would be Benton and Oshkosh Lourdes Academy. Lourdes was runner-up in Division 3 last year. Here is a quick look at the Division 4 WIAA State Tournament.
Semifinals
Clayton 3 Newman Catholic 2 (25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-8)
After falling to Newman in last years championship, Clayton defeated the Cardinals to advance to the Division 4 State Title Game (PhotoCred: Amery Free Press)The Cardinals would not be taking home the “gold ball” for the fifth year in a row. Selena Levendoski’s 27 kills, along with Alison Leslie’s 19 kills for Clayton would be too much. After trading off set wins, Clayton prevailed in set five with a score of 15-8. Rylie Vaughn would finish her career for Newman with 27 kills on 80 swings, she also had 16 digs. Clayton statistically dominated Newman with total team kills of 69 to 48 and team digs of 88-70. Marissa Gilbertson was the top distributor for Clayton with 59 assists. Clayton had lost to Newman in the 2016 finals and has come up short in the state tournament the previous three seasons, now was their opportunity to claim the “gold ball”.
Lourdes Academy celebrates a point over Benton in the WIAA D4 State Semifinals (PhotoCred: The Northwestern)
Lourdes Academy 3 Benton 0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-15 )
Despite Lourdes having a relatively young roster, it was filled with plenty of state tournament experience. The Knights were making their third straight state tournament appearance and a starting lineup of plenty of Sophomores and Juniors. They also had the experience of playing in a state championship game, finishing runner-up last year in Division 3 to Howards Grove. The semifinal match was a showcase of two setters, evenly distributing the ball in Claire Chier having 21 assists and Ellie Mackenzie with 20. Rachel Aasby and Raechel Russo had 18 and 17 kills respectively. The Knights hit a ridiculously high hitting efficiency in .321. Emma Lawrence led Benton with 18 kills.
Championship
Clayton 3 Lourdes Academy 1 (25-15, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22)
Clayton was the runner-up last year in Division 4, Lourdes was runner-up in Division 3. Both teams had experience of playing on the big court, which is transformed from the two split courts the Resch Center uses for the semifinals. Experience would be a wash, now it comes down to executions.
Clayton was dominant from the start taking the first two sets before the Knights were able to extend the match with a 27-25 in the third. However, the heart ache that Clayton had experienced seasons before soon turned into tears of joy with a four set win at 25-22, making them the 2017 Division 4 State Champions. Alison Leslie and Selena Levendoski continued to lead Clayton with 22 and 21 kills. Rachel Aasby of Lourdes had 21 kills and Morgan Thiel had 24 digs to lead Lourdes.
Clayton wins the 2017 D4 State Title over Lourdes Academy.
All Tournament Team
Alison Leslie Jr. MH Clayton
Selena Levendoski Jr. MH Clayton
Marissa Gilbertson Jr. S Clayton
Rachel Aasby Jr. OH Lourdes Acad.
Claire Chier So. S/RS Lourdes Acad.
Emma Lawrence Sr. MH Benton
Rylie Vaughn Sr. S/OH Newman Cath.