Battling against an unconventional Owen-Withee court set-up, the Catholic Central High School girls’ volleyball team won its fourth state title in six years Saturday morning in straight sets against the Blackhawks, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23.
For the Catholic Central senior class, it was their second gold ball, as they were part of the 2008 team that won. Since then, the team made it to the sectional final, won the silver ball last year and then the gold ball this year.
“It’s amazing when you think about how they were able to carry on the tradition,” said CCHS coach MaeMae Oberhofer, who was an assistant on the 2006-08 state championship teams and then head coach last year for the runner-up finish.
Owen-Withee’s set on the court involved no one player setting the ball, and at times, the team’s best setter playing back-row defense. As a result, CCHS had to make a number of reads on the run, especially when it came to blocking.
“It was really confusing,” said junior Maggie Smith, who finished with a game-high 15 kills. “It was hard to block. But we pulled through.”
Sophomore Megan Wadsworth added eight kills, as did senior Britte Schneider, who played a roll just about everywhere on the court during the final. Schneider served well the entire match, picking up an ace, but also had eight digs and a block assist.
Catholic Central will hold a short celebration for the team at the Veterans Terrace tonight at 6:30 p.m.
See the blog below for updates:
Good morning, folks. This is Jennifer Eisenbart online from the Resch Center in Green Bay for part one of today’s championship Saturday coverage. At 10 a.m., Catholic Central plays Owen-Withee for the WIAA Division 4 state title.
Per WIAA regulations, we are not allowed to do play-by-play coverage, but we will be updating during timeouts and set breaks and other stoppages of play. Please hit refresh often!
9:52 a.m. – There is a good contingent of CCHS fans here today, including former players Keena Schneider and Allison Smith. Keena is showing a sign: “That’s my sister! Love you Britte, #10” in support of CCHS utility player Britte Schneider – one of four seniors on the team.
10:12 a.m. – CCHS calls timeout. The Lady Toppers were out to an early 4-0 lead, but OW’s offense is starting to click, and the Blackhawks now lead 10-9. OW runs a very non-traditional offense, with no particular setter.
10:21 a.m. – 21-16 CCHS and OW timeout. More coming.
10:24 a.m. – CCHS wins set one 25-19, but neither team is playing particularly crisp. The last two points of the set were both teams being unable to set up a pass.
10:35 a.m. – CCHS calls timeout, still ahead 9-7 but with OW running off four straight points. The Lady Toppers led 5-0 to start the set, but once again, the OW offense is settling in – and unsettling CCHS.
10:47 a.m. – CCHS and OW are two contrasting styles here, with OW hitting off whoever gets the ball to set, and CCHS working its two big hitters. But senior Britte Schneider is playing a heck of a match, and central leads 22-20 in set two.
10:50 a.m. – An ace for Ali Hocking brings CCHS to 23-21, but then an error by Hocking serving makes it 23-21. A kill by Maggie Smith brings the Lady Toppers to set point at 24-21, and a block kill by Megan Wadsworth off an OW tip gives CCHS set two, 25-21.
10:55 a.m. – Five straight CCHS hitting or receiving errors, and it’s 5-1 Owen-Withee in set three.
11:05 a.m. – CCHS rallied and got all the way back into the lead, but two straight OW kills has made it 13-11 in the third set and CCHS calls its second time.
11:08 a.m. – Momentum swings in this match are unbelievable. It’s now tied at 15-15, as Catholic Central has gotten a couple of good kills and then a hit by OW missed being in by maybe two inches on the far sideline. We’re tied 15-15 in set three.
11:10 a.m. – Eight straight points for CCHS, and it’s 19-15 CC in set three.
11:15 a.m. – CCHS wins set three 25-23, and it’s another state title for CC!
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