Trending
Florence remains a force in Wisconsin high school volleyball one season after reaching the semifinals of the WIAAA’s Division 5 state tournament.
The LadyCats this past weekend posted a 6-1 record at the 25-team Friendship Tournament in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., defeating several larger schools and advancing to the championship match.
“This was a good test to really see where we are at for the first week of the year,” said Florence coach Teresa Chrisman. “We played larger schools in almost every match. I was real impressed with how we played against D1 Wausau West and a solid D3 team in the championship match.”
The LadyCats cruised through pool play with wins against Rhinelander, Rio, Royall and Oshkosh North, not dropping a set. In Saturday’s Gold Bracket, Florence advanced past Auburndale and Wausau West before falling to Wittenberg-Birnamwood.
“I thought senior Quinn Cassidy really stepped up her back row play for us tallying 32 digs,” Chrisman said. “The setter-hitter connection is getting better every match we play and our serving was pretty strong. Naomi Millan led the way with 12 aces.”
Kelsi Chrisman and Miley VanDenHeuvel were voted to the All-Tournament team. Chrisman tallied a whopping 72 kills, 63 digs and 59 assists. VanDenHeuvel totaled 12 blocks and 40 kills, along with 42 digs.
Also for Florence, Julia Murrow collected 58 assists and Millan added 38 digs and 28 kills.
“Taylor Pauley is learning the libero role and notched 17 digs and some key serve receive passes,” coach Chrisman said.
Emily Wolske contributed 14 kills and three blocks. Addison Franz added four blocks, as did Leah Baker.
The LadyCats will be back in action for a home opener against Niagara on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Tournament scores:
Florence 2, Rhinelander 0 (25-18, 25-13)
Florence 2, Rio 0 (25-5, 25-13)
Florence 2, Royall 0 (25-11, 25-16)
Florence 2, Auburndale 1 (23-25, 25-14, 15-7)
Florence 2, Wausau West 1 (25-23, 21-25, 15-9)
Wittenberg-Birnamwood 2, Florence 0 (25-16, 25-21)