The Manitowoc Lutheran Lancers captured their first WIAA State Girls Volleyball Title Saturday afternoon at The Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.
The Lancers defeated Regis of Eau Claire in a five-set thriller 29-27,20-25.23 25,25-22, and 15 -12 in The Division Four final.
Sophomore Ava Stuebs led The Lancers with a double-double, 33 kills, and 16 digs and said the moment was “surreal.”
“Well, I didn’t know what the line judge was going to call at that moment, but when he called it in it was like ‘WE JUST WON.’ It was crazy.”
Senior Isbella Flores ends her career as a state champion, and says this team has grit.
“Grit is just something that we have. You can’t coach it or train to achieve it. We always want to win, but especially for Friends, family and Lancer Nation. But most importantly we play to glorify and honor our Lord.”
Head Coach Lacey Behnke says that every girl on this team is special.
“Our hitters get all the accolades, but Ava (Stuebs) and Marissa (Melhorn) understand that they don’t succeed if they don’t have their teammates passing them the ball or their energy and support to carry each other through the good and bad times. All the girls are truly humble and appreciate just how special this team is.”
Marissa Melhorn added 25 kills, Morgan Jost tied Stuebs for team high honors with 16 digs, Makiah Krause added 13 digs and Isabella Flores chipped in 12 digs. Krause and Maya Keil had 30 assists each as the Lancers finished their championship season with a record of 38 and 7. The Ramblers finished their season with a record of 23 and 8.
The state champion Lancers invite everyone to join them on WOMT Sports Talk from Salute to Everyone, at 1107 South 10th Street in Manitowoc to celebrate their state title Monday night at 6 p.m.
