Team hosts Manitowoc Thursday in Green Bay
By Mike Ramczyk
Burlington girls volleyball coach Teri Leach has been here before.
About a half hour after the Lady Demons’ three-game sweep of Kenosha Tremper in a WIAA Division 1 sectional final Saturday night, after players and fans had left, the Demons’ co-head coach didn’t hesitate.
She hurried to the school’s athletic office to book hotel rooms for this weekend’s state tournament in Green Bay, as rooms are sure to be hard to find with state volleyball and the Packers-Bears game at Lambeau Field Sunday.
Leach, co-coach Dan Lynch and the Lady Demons have made somewhat of a second home at the Resch Center, as this is the fifth time in six years Burlington has advanced to the state tournament.
In 2011 and 2012, the Demons won state titles. After falling one game short of state last year, the girls are flying high at 42-3.
The school’s first state appearance was in 1997. Nearly 20 years later, the volleyball program has become arguably the best in the state.
Lynch was asked after Saturday’s win over Tremper (25-4, 25-19, 28-26) if getting there ever gets old.
“No,” he said. “This is what we did the last time we went to state. We won in three and got out. It’s awesome.”
“We took Tremper out in game one. They changed up their rotation, but it didn’t work. We had some huge blocks and a couple big swings in the third game.”
The sweep was Burlington’s sixth straight and 18th consecutive game victory. After losing Oct. 18 to top-ranked Divine Savior Holy Angels without key players Quinn Spieker and Tay Lewis, the Demons have been at full strength ever since and haven’t been touched.
Girls overcome late Tremper surge
In the decisive third game Saturday, Tremper clung to a 26-25 lead and held match point twice late.
But some key blocks from Lewis and an Ali Rueter kill ultimately led to a hard-fought 28-26 victory.
Tremper had an early 10-5 lead in the third before Burlington bounced back with a 9-0 run. But Tremper’s defense took over, helping it regain a 22-18 lead.
Thanks to solid serving, blocking and hitting, the Demons finished the game on a 10-4 run.
“It feels really good to get to state,” senior Sarra Webb said. “We set our standards high all year. We always work hard and do our best to overpower teams. We won the serve-receive game late to come back. We got back into our rhythm.”
“It’s amazing,” senior Leah Hofer said. “It’s different as a senior because it’s your last chance.”
– For the complete story, including highlights from Burlington’s win over Fort Atkinson, pick up Thursday’s Burlington Standard Press. Also, pick up the paper to check out Ramczyk’s column on the Lady Demons, which explores their motivation to get back to Green Bay this season.
If you go
What: WIAA state volleyball tournament
Where: Resch Center, Green Bay
When: Thursday-Saturday, Burlington opens play Thursday at 4:30 p.m. vs. Manitowoc Lincoln (39-4)
Tickets: $8 per session
About the Ships: Lincoln is the champion of the Fox River Classic Conference and is making its second state appearance. The first came in 1998. They defeated West Bend East to advance to state.
Fun fact: Burlington has defeated fellow state qualifiers Muskego, DSHA and Germantown this season. DSHA is the only team of the three to defeat Burlington this season.
Follow us live: Follow Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk live from the Resch Center on Twitter @mikeramczyk17, or read his game updates at the bottom of the page on www.myracinecounty.com.
Stay tuned to the Standard Press Sports Facebook page as well for photos.
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