Boys hold their own at loaded invite
By Andrew Horschak
Sports Correspondent
and Mike Ramczyk
Improvement was evident for the busy Burlington boys volleyball team last week.
After notching their first Southern Lakes Conference victory against visiting Racine St. Catherine’s on Thursday, Sept. 29, the Demons held their own in the Shorewood Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1.
In the 18-25, 25-9, 25-12, 25-14 victory over St. Catherine’s, Burlington (1-2 SLC) bounced back from a rough start as Brock Halbach led the way with 10 kills and five blocks.
David Paul (26 assists), Trey Krause (21 digs) and Malik Tiedt (three service aces) were the other statistical leaders.
“The team really worked together for this win,” first-year coach Mike Jones said. “We had some great defensive efforts out of Trey Krause and Sam Lois along with some great offense from the front row. We played with a lot of energy and that was a difference maker.”
In the eight-team Shorewood tourney, Burlington opened by sweeping Brookfield Central before dropping a pair of three-set matches to Whitefish Bay Dominican and Westosha Central after winning the first set in both matches. The Demons (4-9-3 overall) then swept Greenfield in the fifth-place match.
“We have really been improving on moving guys around and making our serves tougher,” Jones said. “It has helped us become a better team and we continue our season of progress. I look forward to the second half of the season.”
Halbach (16 kills, nine blocks), Paul (48 assists) and Krause (27 digs, four aces) were the team’s tourney leaders.
Burlington opened the week by traveling to Madison West for a non-conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The host Regents prevailed, 25-15, 25-22, 14-25, 21-25, 15-10, as David Rummler had a team-high 10 kills and Krause added 34 digs and six aces.
Boys show fight against SLC leader
The final score read 25-21, 25-10, 22-25, 26-24 in favor of the Westosha Central boys volleyball team Sept. 22 against Burlington.
The Demons dropped to 1-6-3 overall and 0-2 in conference, but the young squad battled in the final two games against the Falcons, who currently lead the Southern Lakes Conference.
“I definitely think the way we played in games three and four against Westosha is a show of what’s to come for us,” said first-year head coach Mike Jones. “They are a good team, but what I saw on Thursday was a huge positive for us. We have already made huge strides since day one, and I can’t wait to get our first (conference) win under our belts.”
Burlington held leads of 12-7, 13-8 and 16-12 before the Falcons stormed back to tie it at 20-20 in the third set.
But Malik Tiedt executed a kill and Burlington benefitted from a Central hitting error.
Finally, Brock Halbach’s spike finished off the 25-22 win.
Drew Pesick slammed home a kill to give the Demons a 4-0 lead in the fourth set, but again Central came back and knotted things at 18-18.
After a Tiedt kill tied things at 24-24, Drake Muhlenbeck pounded home the winning point to halt the comeback.
Halbach led the way with 10 kills, and Trey Krause added 19 digs.
David Paul dished out 30 assists.
“We are a young team with numerous freshmen and sophomores getting into games, so we just need more game experience and continued good leadership from our upper class,” Jones said.
“Communication and trust is something we continue to work towards.”
Burlington is looking for its first SLC win at home Thursday against Racine St. Catherine’s.
The boys travel to an eight-team tournament Saturday in Shorewood.
“I’m looking forward to the next month as we gear up for the playoffs,” Jones said. “I’m hoping that we continue to make progress in all aspects of the game.”
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