This story is sponsored by Dental Clinic of Marshfield
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield volleyball team played well in its playoff opener Thursday against Menomonie. On Saturday in a WIAA Division 1 regional final against Rhinelander, the Tigers played even better.
Tiffany Stargardt had 21 kills, Courtney Bauer and Chelsea Akin each added nine kills, and setter Mary Wollf, the lone senior on the Tigers’ roster, had 25 assists as Marshfield rolled to a 25-16, 25-20, 25-10 win over the Hodags at Marshfield High School.
Marshfield trailed briefly in the first two games and dominated in Game 3 to cruise to the regional title.
“I don’t know what it was, but we were much better than we were the other night,” Marshfield coach Dawn Sadowska said. “On Thursday night, it was their first playoff game for a lot of these kids. I think they were nervous.”
The Tigers were clinging to a 17-15 lead late in the opening game before Stargardt took over. The junior hitter had four kills during the final 8-1 run by the Tigers and Wolff ended the game by serving the final four points, closing out the win with an ace.
A kill by Bauer gave Marshfield an 18-15 lead in Game 2 and again the Tigers pulled away late, scoring five points in a row on kills by Miranda Forrest, Akin and Bauer. Stargardt closed out the victory with a kill.
Marshfield left little doubt in the third game, exploding to an 11-2 lead as Stargardt served 10 straight points. The Tigers closed the game with eight points in a row, seven on the serve of Wolff.
“Some of our hitters stepped up, like Miranda Forrest with a hit there at the end,” Sadowska said. “I think that’s what some of our girls needed, just a boost in confidence and be able to know that they can put the ball down. The setters did a great job tonight spreading the ball around. Tiffany, obviously, was hitting the ball very well, and the others were doing their part as well.”
Marshfield will take on Eau Claire North in the second of two sectional semifinals at 8 p.m. Thursday at Merrill. The winner plays in the sectional championship game on Oct. 29 for a state tournament berth.
“I don’t know much about them,” Sadowska said of North. “I know they have a great record, I know they have a good program. If we come out and play like we did tonight, that’s all I can ask for.”
Defensively, Darian Molter had 17 digs and Stargardt added 10.