This story is sponsored by: The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
GREEN BAY – The Auburndale volleyball team found itself in another pressure-packed situation Saturday in the WIAA Division 3 state championship game. However, this time, the Apaches couldn’t fight all the way back.
After winning three five-set matches in the playoffs, including one in a state semifinals on Friday, Auburndale couldn’t overcome a 2-0 deficit and lost 3-1 to Eau Claire Regis in the Division 3 title game Saturday afternoon at the 2013 WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament at the Resch Center.
Auburndale dropped the first two games, 25-22, 25-17, before coming back to win the third 25-18. Another Apaches rally was not in the cards this time as Regis finished off the match with a 25-20 win in Game 4.
The state title is Regis’ first in its fifth state tournament appearance. This was Auburndale’s first time in the championship game after reaching state for the third time in the last five years.
Camille Swart had 11 kills and nine digs, Hannah Castellano had 18 digs and six kills and Taylor Gotz added nine kills for the Apaches.
Setter Kendra Kundinger had a team-high 29 assists and 11 digs, and Jenna Peplinski and Shannon Yahnke each added seven kills for Auburndale.
Amanda Giguere had 14 kills, Alissa Zawacki and Shae Brey each had 11, and Brenna Brey had 37 assists for Regis.
Wausau Newman Catholic, which plays in the Marawood Conference South Division along with Auburndale, won the Division 4 state championship with a 3-0 sweep of Clayton. It is Newman’s first state title and its fifth appearance. The Cardinals were the Division 4 runner-up last year and in 2009.
In Division 2, East Troy defeated Madison Edgewood 3-0 for its first state title. East Troy had only made it to state once, in 1987. Edgewood was the D-2 runner-up for the second straight season.