State-bound Sun Prairie Not Just About the Stars
Kevin Damask
<p>It's difficult for teams to make the WIAA state tournament without at least a star or two leading the way. However, winning a state title often takes the work of entire team. </p>
<p>Sun Prairie, the only state qualifier from the Madison area, has embraced this approach to winning. During its run through sectionals last week, the Cardinals (40-8) had standout performances from their usual stars, but also leaned on its supporting cast. </p>
<p>The Cardinals battle Oconomowoc (29-7) in a state quarterfinal match Thursday at Green Bay's Resch Center. </p>
<p>Last Saturday, Sun Prairie earned its sectional title with a 3-0 sweep of Waunakee, winning 26-24, 25-18 and 25-20. The sweep was somewhat surprising considering Waunakee, a No. 2 seed, had a strong team. The Cardinals went 6-1 in sectional play, dropping only one match to Holmen in the semifinals. </p>
<p>Mia Lubahn, a senior setter, played superbly throughout sectionals. Lubahn is a name not often mentioned among Sun Prairie's top players, but the senior stepped up at the right time. Against Holmen, Lubahn posted 20 assists and 13 digs. In the Waunakee sweep, Lubahn finished with 16 assists. </p>
<p>For the season, Lubahn has 436 assists, good for 4.4 per set. Somehow this valuable Cardinal has flown under the radar. </p>
<p>In addition, supporting cast members Holly McCloskey and Maggie Allaman each had four blocks. </p>
<p>Sun Prairie's usual stars, however, showed no signs of late-season fatigue. KJ McNabb erupted for 25 kills against Holmen, averaging 6.3 per set. McNabb also had nine digs. Against Waunakee McNabb had kills, four service aces and 11 digs. </p>
<p>McNabb so dominated against Holmen and Waunakee that she was the only Cardinal to finish with double-digit kills. </p>
<p>Josie Halbleib also had a strong tournament, posting 21 assists against Holmen and 16 against Waunakee. </p>
<p>Defensively, Morgan Jensen collected 11 digs in the Holmen win and 18 in the sectional final. Payton Addink had 13 against Waunakee. </p>
<p>There's no doubt Sun Prairie will need everyone to be sharp when they face Oconomowoc. The Raccoons knocked off top-seeded Watertown 3-2 in the sectional championship. </p>
<p><strong>Road Ends at Sectionals </strong></p>
<p>For other Madison area teams, the road through sectionals was not as kind. </p>
<p>As previously mentioned, powerful Watertown bowed out to Oconomowoc. Verona (34-6) fell to Waunakee in a sectional semifinal and, also in Division 1, Oregon's surprise run came to an end with a 3-0 sweep to Westosha Central on Oct. 25. </p>
<p>Milton (32-9) fell to top-seeded Burlington, who earned a spot in the state tournament. In Division 2, McFarland (29-10) topped Madison Edgewood in the semis, but fell to Rock Valley rival East Troy in the title match. </p>
<p>Lakeside Lutheran (29-12) also fell victim to East Troy, falling in Thursday's sectional opener. </p>
<p>In Division 3, Waterloo, champions of the Capitol-South, couldn't surpass Lake County Lutheran in the semis. Lake Country Lutheran will face Grantsburg in a state semifinal match on Friday. </p>
<p>While the road to Green Bay ended for several Madison-area squads, players and coaches can take pride in a memorable season. </p>
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in
