WIAA State – Newman, Rib Lake Advance To D5 Finals

WIAA State &#8211; Newman, Rib Lake Advance To D5 Finals

Chris Fitzgerald November 6, 2025 @ 11:17 AM

Thursday morning started the girls slate, featuring the D5 Semifinals with Rib Lake vs. St. Ambrose and Newman Catholic vs. Florence. Lot of energy for a bunch of high school kids with the likes of Rib Lake making the 2 hour and 20 minute trip for a 9 AM start. Each team brought big crowds, really showing what the small school spirit is all about.

Newman Catholic 3 Florence 0

25-12, 25-23, 25-23

Newman Catholic out of Wausau is a family face at the Resch with a trophy case full from previous state tournaments. They jumped out to a fast lead in set one and didn't look back. However, Florence making their first state tournament would battle back. They went toe to toe with the top seed in the tournament with set two and three both going 25-23 in favorite of the Cardinals.

Camille Sobolewski Camille Sobolewski 5'10" | OH Newman Catholic | 2026 State WI of Newman Catholic showed why she is one of the top D5 players in the state. The senior who has plenty of experience in this arena would finish with 24 kills and 11 digs. Her poise and maturity is contagious. When Florence would go on a run, Newman looked to their senior to bring a calming presence as well as a big kill. The Caridnals also had a big performance from their setting duo Maddy Keene and Lexi Rice Lexi Rice 5'4" | S/DS/L Newman Catholic | 2027 WI . These two knew how to find the open attacker, but also defended their position extremely well.

Florence brought the fire. Kelsi Chrisman Kelsi Chrisman 5'7" | OH/S Florence | 2028 WI was a big part of this where the setter/outside hitter combo player paced the Bobcats with 10 kills, 9 digs, and 8 assists. Miley VanDenHeuvel provided quite the presence in the middle with 5 kills, 3 blocks, and 12 digs.

Newman Catholic will go for a D5 state title Saturday morning while Florence finishes with a record of 31-15, and for the first time finishing their season on the floor of the state tournament.

Rib Lake 3 St. Ambrose 0

25-23, 25-17, 25-21

Both teams got out of the gates right away in set one, trading punches. St. Ambrose is in their first season of competition as a WIAA school while Rib Lake hasn't been to the state tournament since 2006. This was a match of balance verse star power that tiled in favor of the balance of Rib Lake.

Megan Komarek Megan Komarek 5'10" | MB/RS Rib Lake | 2028 WI , Rib Lake

Megan Komarek Megan Komarek 5'10" | MB/RS Rib Lake | 2028 WI , Rib Lake

Rib Lake has a dynamic lineup with multiple players who can play a variety of positions. There were new players who would find a way to step up when the team needed them the most. Sophomore Megan Komarek Megan Komarek 5'10" | MB/RS Rib Lake | 2028 WI led the way for the Redmen with 14 kills, hitting .344 from the right side. She brought a heavy swing that gave plenty of problems for the Guardians. Madelyn Anderson Madelyn Anderson RH WI , another sophomore, was powerful out of the middle where she gathered seven kills and three blocks. The setters for this group really made everything happen with Tessa Weik Tessa Weik MH WI and Madilyn Blomberg Madilyn Blomberg OH WI . The two combined for 33 assists and 15 kills.

St. Ambrose brought quite the crowd and their athletes showed no fear to the bright lights. Penelope Schell had quite the performance for this team, paving the way for future Guardian teams to make a run to the state tournament. The outside hitter was a point scorer from everywhere. She finished with 24 kills and 10 digs.

Rib Lake moves into the title match against Newman Catholic on Saturday morning. St. Ambrose finishes 23-13 on the season.