5 Set Thrillers from this weeks Thursday Night Matchups
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The first week of conference matches is well underway and they did not disappoint. On Thursday, September 2, there were no less than 18 reported 5 set thrillers across the state that dominated the spotlight. New Berlin Eisenhower beat Greendale …
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Continue ReadingThe first week of conference matches is well underway and they did not disappoint. On Thursday, September 2, there were no less than 18 reported 5 set thrillers across the state that dominated the spotlight.
New Berlin Eisenhower beat Greendale
This match was a battle from the very first point. These two teams traded sets all night and Eisenhower ultimately came out on top 15-13 in the 5th set. Both had athletes with dominating performances.
On Eisenhower’s side, Lexi Bugajski Lexi Bugajski 6'0" | S New Berlin Eisenhower | 2023 State WI (2023) had 24 kills, averaging nearly 5 kills per set. She also led the team in digs and was second in service receptions. Emily Daniel (2024) led the team in service receptions and also contributed 8 digs and an ace. Natalie Holzhauer Natalie Holzhauer 5'6" | S New Berlin Eisenhower | 2022 State WI (2022) had a whopping 40 assists during the game and was key to this smart and gritty offense.
On Greendale’s side, freshman setter Billie Reiter had major impacts, contributing 38 assists, 17 digs, 2 aces, and 10 kills. Emily Ploszay Emily Ploszay MB Greendale | 2022 State WI (2022) led the team with 19 kills. And Hannah Kos Hannah Kos 5'9" | OH Greendale | 2023 State WI (2023) had 11 kills and 9 aces.
Catholic Memorial beat Arrowhead
It was an incredible match between these two powerhouse teams. Both have state titles under their belt and have incredibly deep rosters of top-level athletes.
Catholic Memorial’s Brooke Bielinski (2022) and Emily Clausen Emily Clausen 6'0" | MB Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI (2023) led the team offensively with 12 kills each and had a lot of influence on defense as well. Addy Goedheer (2025) had 5 blocks. Katie Stomma was a major player on defense as well. Junior, Elena Dragani Elena Dragani S Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI topped the charts in assists. This was a whole team effort to bring forth this win.
Arrowhead hasn’t uploaded stats for the match but does have past matches up. Madison Tolzman Madison Tolzman 5'8" | OH Arrowhead | 2022 State WI is a key player for this team, leading the team in kills. Sophomore Keira Ashenfelter Keira Ashenfelter 5'6" | S Arrowhead | 2024 State WI and junior Annika Nielsen are both huge players in running this effective offense.
Kimberly beat Appleton North
Kimberly dealt Appleton North their first loss of the season in an incredibly reverse sweep. The defending alternate season state champs, Appleton North won the first two sets before dropping the final three to the Papermakers.
On Kimberly’s side, Kaitlin Schulz Kaitlin Schulz 6'0" | OH Kimberly | 2023 State WI (2023) led the team with 16 kills closely followed by Kyla Dunaway Kyla Dunaway 6'4" | RS Kimberly | 2023 State WI (2023) with 13. Ava Rank Ava Rank 5'5" | DS/L Kimberly | 2023 State WI (2023) had an incredible 26 digs, 17 service receptions, and an ace. Setter Macy Herman Macy Herman 5'11" | S Kimberly | 2023 State WI ran her offense with precision and speed contributing 33 assists and 14 digs.
While Appleton North has not uploaded their stats from last night yet, they do have uploaded stats from the rest of their matches. Brianna Cantrell Brianna Cantrell OH Appleton North | 2022 State #104 Nation WI (2022) is dominating on the outside cranking out over 80 kills. Ella Demetrician Ella Demetrician 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2024 State #40 Nation WI (2024) and Karissa Fortune Karissa Fortune 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2023 State WI (2023) are also having huge impacts on the pins. Madisen Miller Madisen Miller 5'8" | DS/L Appleton North | 2022 State WI (2022) is one of the top liberos in the state and leads her team in aces, digs, and service receptions.
Whitefish Bay beat Port Washington
These two teams traded sets throughout the match ultimately ending in a 15-10 win for Whitefish Bay. Every set was incredibly competitive and both teams are probably still amped from the intensity of last night.
Whitefish Bay put up some massive numbers including Zoe Behrendt Zoe Behrendt 5'11" | S Whitefish Bay | 2023 State #113 Nation WI (2023) who had 31 kills, 3 aces, 31 service receptions, and 20 digs. Georgia Koscielak Georgia Koscielak 5'6" | DS/L Whitefish Bay | 2024 State WI (2024) led the team in digs and contributed 26 service receptions. Teah Holbrook (2024) was also key on serve receive and offense for the Blue Dukes.
Port Washington spread the offense out a bit with Jennacy Wille (2023), Carolyn Lippe (2024), and Elyse Karrels (2024) earning a good number of kills. Elyse also had an incredible 12 blocks throughout the match. Setters Julia Schmit (2022) and Sydney Hoeft (2023) both were impactful in running a cohesive and effective offense.
Other great 5 set wins:
Whitewater beat Johnson Creek
Kohler beat Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah
D.C. Everest beat Marshfield
Veritas/Tenor beat University Lake School
Kewaunee beat Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran
Kiel beat Brillion
Pittsville beat Stratford
Reedsville beat Hilbert
Rice Lake beat Menomonie
Marathon beat Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Ashland beat Duluth EastSouthwestern beat Boscobel
Horicon beat Valley Christian
Montello beat Markesan