Florence captured a Division 5 WIAA regional volleyball championship Saturday, defeating Niagara 3-0. From left are assistant coach Stephanie Tomczak, assistant coach Allison Krueger, Emily Wolske, Miley VanDenHeuvel, Naomi Millan, Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel, Ashley Peterson, Sami Demuri, Quinn Cassidy, Kelsi Chrisman and head coach Teresa Chrisman. Kneeling are Lyla Nolan, Taylor Pauley, Sienna Schmoll, Abby Tibbs and Addison Franz. (Courtesy photo)

Florence will head to Suring on Thursday for a WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal clash following a 3-0 regional title win Saturday over Niagara.

The LadyCats defeated Niagara 25-18, 25-4, 25-7.

Suring received the No. 1 seed in the bracket and was the M & O Conference champion. Florence, the No. 2 seed, defeated Suring last year in the regional final.

Saturday’s win over seventh-seeded Niagara gives the LadyCats back-to-back regional crowns for the first time since achieving the feat 10 years ago.

Despite playing at home, Florence started a little slow in the first set against the Badgers, committing four errors in a row.

“We tend to have a hard time settling in … we committed about 10 errors in that first set but stayed the course and began dominating at about the 10-point mark and never looked back,” said LadyCats coach Teresa Chrisman.

Kelsi Chrisman went on 9-point serving streak to start the second set.

“The girls really saw the floor nice with Kelsi and some timely dumps, and Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel attacking holes with tips,” coach Chrisman said. “Miley VanDenHeuvel had some key blocks and thunderous kills along with her sister. Ashley Peterson was on point in the back row with key passes to get our offense going. Niagara sent us free balls and we took advantage. Just told the girls to keep swinging and our outsides, Sami Demuri and Kelsi Chrisman, did just that.”

Coach Chrisman called the win a total team effort. “Naomi Millan and Emily Wolske did a nice job in coverage and net play as well,” she added.

Chrisman led all hitters with 13 kills and a whopping .600 percentage. Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel notched 11 kills and Miley VanDenHeuvel added 8, along with 11 digs. Demuri had 16 assists, while Chrisman, Millan and Ashlyn VanDenHeuvel had zero serving errors. 

The sectional semifinal begins at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“I hope the fans travel, we need all that energy and support and appreciate it greatly,” coach Chrisman said.