CRIVITZ, Wis. — The regular season opened up for a trio of area Wisconsin volleyball teams on Tuesday morning, as Niagara, Florence and Goodman-Pembine competed in the Crivitz Invitational at Crivitz High School. A total of nine teams entered the event, with Northern Lakes Conference power Laona-Wabeno winning the tournament.

Niagara, coached by Carol St. Arnauld, went 3-1 on the day.

“We opened up the Crivitz Invitational playing Laona-Wabeno, and jitters got the best of us. Our second match we played Coleman competitively and won in three. The girls’ confidence and overall play improved with each match, and we won out–beating both Florence and Marinette,” St. Arnauld said. “Overall I am happy with how the day went.”

The Lady Badgers’ match scores on the day are: Laona-Wabeno, 0-2 (14-25, 14-25); Coleman 2-1 (21-25, 25-18, 15-11); Marinette, 2-0 (25-19, 25-13); Florence, 2-0 (25-20, 25-10).

“We have some strong returning starters including Bailey Pearson, Abby Wells, and Morgan Borchardt, mixed with an aggressive younger group of players. I believe this team will continue to grow, and I’m looking forward to seeing them continue to play up to their potential,” St. Arnauld added.

Florence, coached for the second year by Teresa Chrisman, lost team captain Morgan Tomczak in their opening match of the day with an ankle injury, which sidelined her for the rest of the day.

“The team stepped up, hustled and played well. Freshman Kamdan Johnson led the way with 8 kills. Madison Johnson led the team with 18 assists. Tyley Fyvie was strong at the net with 4 blocks and 100% serving. Also, Leah Young played excellent in the back row,” Chrisman said.

Although we went 2-2, our losses are only due to inexperience and growing pains. I’m very pleased overall on how they pulled together,” Chrisman added.

Florence defeated Marinette and Oneida Nation, and along with being defeated by Niagara, tournament runner-up Mercer also defeated the Ladycats.

Niagara returns to action on Thursday as they travel to the Green Bay area to face Oneida Nation in a triangular event. Niagara will compete in the 2021 Varsity Great 8 Volleyball Tournament on Saturday morning at Forest Park High School in Crystal Falls.

Goodman-Pembine returns home to face Northern Lakes Conference foe Phelps, in a varsity only matchup at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2, at the Laverne A. Zimmerman Sports Complex at Goodman-Armstrong Creek High School.

The Ladycats also return to action at home on Sept. 2 when they welcome NLC foe Laona-Wabeno.

Niagara Stats:

Isabel Jacobs: 1 kill, 3 assists, 13 digs

Erin Lukowicz: 8 aces, 8 kills, 1 assist, 24 digs

Lily Loukus: 2 aces, 10 digs

Morgan Borchardt: 6 aces, 12 kills, 1 block, 54 assists, 16 digs

Abby Wells: 2 aces, 7 kills, 1 block, 2 assists, 12 Digs

Bailey Pearson: 2 aces, 37 kills, 4 blocks, 2 assists, 16 digs

Aiva Champeau 3 digs

Mallory Sanicki 10 kills, 4 blocks

Emma Brasure 2 aces, 7 kills, 2 assists, 9 digs

Emma Broullire: 2 blocks