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The final two teams punched their tickets to Saturday's WIAA State championship matches, as Muskego swept away Burlington and Kaukauna pulled off a thrilling 3-1 win over Middleton. The two winners will lock horns Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. as the 2009 tournament finale.



Muskego 3, Burlington 0



Box Score



Muskego continued to surge through the 2009 postseason, as the Warriors beat Burlington 25-21, 25-20 and 25-16 Friday night at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Muskego has yet to drop a set in postseason play, and will move on to face Kaukauna in the championship match.



The Warriors were led by senior Middle Hitter Rachel Neuberger and senior Outside Hitter Alli Glisch who tallied 14 and 10 kills. Glisch also added 12 digs for Muskego, as the Warriors hit a session-high .405 in what quickly became a volleyball expo.



The Muskego block was big all match, as the young Demons were forced to hit around a tight Muskego defense. Senior Libero Sarah Mlachnik earned the black jersey, leadin the squad with 15 digs. 



Burlington, who starts two freshmen and a sophomore, was led by all three underclassmen. Sophomore Middle Hitter Katie Drohner recorded 10 kills, many off quick sets before Muskego could establish the block. Freshman Outside Hitter Ciara Capezio and Right Side Hitter Kaycie Shebeneck added seven kills in the loss.



Game Ball: Senior Middle Hitter Rachel Neuberger finished with a match-high 14 kills at a .619 clip and three total blocks to lead Muskego to its second straight sweep in the 2009 State tournament.



Kaukauna 3, Middleton 1



Box Score



Kaukauna may have come in as underdogs, but the Galloping Ghosts outblocked, outdug and outscrapped a heavy-hitting Middleton team en route to a 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-22 victory in the Division 1 semifinals.



Senior Outside Hitter Kayla Schuh led Kaukauna with 16 kills, with senior Right Side Hitter Leah Van Zeeland adding 13. Junior setter McKinzie Friemuth threw up 45 assists as eight players, including junior Libero Maria Van Abel, recorded a kill.



The Cardinals faced a charged defensive team in the Ghosts, as Kaukauna was able to keep senior Outside Hitter Molly Toon in check for much of the match. Receiving errors plagued Middleton also, as Kaukauna tallied 13 aces against the Cardinal backrow.



Middleton took the first set with strong play from its front line, as the Cardinals took a three-point victory into the first bench switch. Yet set two wasn't as easy for the Cardinals, as Kaukauna raced out to a 6-1 lead to open play. The Ghosts held their lead for the majority of the set, pulling away with big kills from Fassbender to tie the match at one.



Set three was the defining moment for Kaukauna, as it was up against a 21-15 defecit. Middleton's lead was not safe though, as its hitters could not make up for Toon stuck in the back row. Kaukauna got strong swings from Van Zeeland and pushed even with the Cardinals. A big double-block of Toon from Van Zeeland and Prellwitz capped off a 10-2 run and sealed up set three in favor of Kaukauna.



Middleton came out struggling with serve receive once again in set four, as Van Zeeland recorded three straight aces against the Cardinal Libero. The Ghosts had solidified its block and Middleton hitters had trouble adjusting. The Ghosts were up 21-17 before Toon and Barman came to the front, tying the set at 22 apiece. The Ghosts got two straight kills from Schneider and finished off the scrambling Cardinals with yet another service ace to seal the 3-1 victory.



The victory marks the second straight come-from-behind win for the Ghosts, as they will move on to battle Muskego in the State finals tomorrow.



Game Ball: Senior captain Leah Van Zeeland was clutch for the Ghosts, tallying 13 kills, seven digs, three timely blocks and four service aces to give Kaukauna the victory.



Finals Preview



Muskego has yet to be tested in the State tournament--now whether that is because opponents have played poorly or the Warriors are just that good is the debate. Kaukauna has ridden the emotional rollercoaster two consecutive nights, pulling out comeback victories against Fond du Lac and Middleton. Yet the Ghosts aren't just playing another Cardinals team Saturday--Van Zeeland and Fassbender will need to work the antennae and outquick the Muskego Middle Blockers. Muskego is reliant on its defense, and while not recording too many official blocks, is able to successfully direct hitters to a waiting backrow. Neuberger will have to be strong on offense, as will emotional leader Glisch. It may sound like a cop-out, but whoever makes the fewest mistakes Saturday night will most likely be crowned the 2009 Division 1 champion.