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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
AUBURNDALE – Last November, Auburndale made it to the WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament for the first time in school history – and played like it.
The Apaches were swept by Cuba City 3-0. This year, Auburndale has five seniors returning to the court at the Resch Center in Green Bay who are out to redeem themselves and give themselves a better shot at winning the program’s first state title.
Auburndale (36-5) will have to go through undefeated Racine St. Catherine’s (44-0) in a Division 3 semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday in order to get a chance at its first gold ball. There are a number of reasons why the Apaches think they can do beat the Angels, who are making their first state tournament appearance.
“It was really nerve-racking,” senior hitter Liz Breu said of last year’s experience at state. “All of the emotions, being in the big arena, it really got to us. This year we’re ready for it and ready to play.”
Coach Peggy Empey, who has led the Apaches to seven straight Marawood Conference South Division titles, agrees that her team is better prepared.
“The biggest improvement (from last year) is in their mental toughness,” Empey said. “When they step out on the court, they have more confidence. Their ability has always been there, but their mental toughness has definitely improved.”
There has been some improvement on the court as well. Underclassmen such as junior hitters Kari Willfahrt and Haley Harman, and sophomore Nicole Nikolay, among others, have stepped up their game as the season progressed, helping the third-seeded Apaches beat three No. 1 seeds ¬¬– Owen-Withee, Athens and Oconto – to reach the state tournament.
“Everybody has improved,” senior back row specialist Emily Karl said. “Nicole Nikolay, a sophomore, has improved tremendously throughout the season. Haley Harmon, her hits have been great. Everybody has been working on things and working on their spots. The back row has been working hard on their angles and the blockers are working hard, too.”
Auburndale will have a tall test (literally) in front of them with St. Catherine’s. The Angels boast a stunningly tall front line that includes 6-foot-3 senior Kathleen Omelina, two 5-10 hitters and three more girls that are 5-9.
“We just try to stick with every team,” said Breu, who will be up front to try to stop the Angels’ big front line. ‘We respect everyone and fear no one. That’s been a key motto for us and we live and play by it. We go into every game and play it the way we play it.”
Empey said the Apaches are a strong defensive team, something that has helped them get through a tough Division 3 sectional for the second year in a row. Auburndale will have its hands full, but is confident in the game it plays.
“We know they have a big hitter, but we’ve gotten blocks and digs off a big hitter before,” senior back row specialist Kimberly Masephol said. “We just want to do the same thing and play our game. Hopefully it’s enough.”
Note: All games of the WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament will be streamed live online at www.foxsportswisconsin.com … The Division 3 championship game will be broadcast on television on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports Net (FSN) Wisconsin. … Grantsburg (35-0) will take on Wisconsin Heights (29-8) in the other Division 3 semifinal. Grantsburg is the defending Division 3 champion, beating Cuba City in last year’s title match 3-0. … Muskego in Division 1, Waukesha Catholic Memorial in Division 2, and Chippewa Falls McDonell in Division 4 are all back at the state tournament to defend their 2009 championships.
Click here for the entire WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament schedule.