Manitowoc Lutheran and Living Word Lutheran of Jackson were the top two teams in the state Girls Volleyball Division Four coaches’ poll throughout the season.
The two met in the final varsity match to be played on the Lancers floor as they move into a new campus gymnasium next season.
The crowd was shoulder to shoulder and witnessed a five-set classic.
The Lancers looked like they would run away with it early, taking the first two sets by identical 25-16 scores, but the Timberwolves came alive in the third set, winning 22-25.
They then took the fourth set 25-27, setting up the fifth and deciding set that the Lancers won 15 to 13 to advance to Saturday’s Sectional final.
Lancers Head Coach Lacey Behnke told Seehafer Sports that the match was pretty much what she expected.
“We took the first two sets, and I told my team they would come back swinging, and we must be ready. We hit a bit of a lull in losing the next two sets, but we talked about controlling our side of the net. Dig deep; we’ve been here before and believe in each other. That’s exactly what they did to prevail in the fifth set.”
Behnke said serving was the key to rallying to victory.
“We were aggressive and hitting our spots in the first two sets, then lost that in sets three and four. We missed some, allowing their hitters to take over within their system.” Behnke added—
“During a timeout, I told my team to slow down and get back into rhythm, and we started hitting seams again, allowing us to play our style of play and reassume control.”
The Lancers Head Coach said the crowd helped the kids win the match.
“Our gym was packed. There was standing room only. We had to put chairs on the stage. I’m very thankful our community came out to support these girls and help lift them to victory.”
Manitowoc Lutheran improves to 35 and 7 as they prepare to meet the Patriots of Heritage Christian from New Berlin for a trip to the state. Match time is 4 p.m. in Kohler.
