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DSHA will have a chance to play for their 1st back-to-back state title in school history after sweeping Appleton North 3-0 (28-26, 25-23, 25-13).

Reminiscent of yesterday, junior Katie Arnold and seniors Maddie Yoss and Annie Ertz helped lead the Dashers to the win.  Ertz and Arnold dominated the DSHA attacking game, combining for 30 of the 41 team kills.  Maddie Yoss help set up her teammates with 36 assists.

Appleton North felt in control during a good portion of the 1st set.  The Lightning even managed to hold a 16-10 lead, but that quickly disappeared after a 6-1 run by DSHA that ended in an ace before Appleton North called a timeout.  Both teams put on a couple more small runs before the game was knotted up at 26-26.  DSHA won the set 28-26 after a hitting error by Alyssa Wolslegel.

Once again, for the early part of the 2nd set Appleton North was able to hang with the powerful swinging DSHA.  DSHA would eventually get to a 24-17 lead.  The end of the set was a little close for comfort for the Dashers though.  DSHA called a timeout after Appleton north cut it to 24-20, and once again at 24-22 after two straight errors by Annie Ertz.  DSHA would eventually take the set 25-23.

DSHA cruised to a 25-13 3rd set win, ending in style with an Ertz kill.

Appleton North struggled to put the ball down for the majority of the match.  The Lightning had a -.030 1st set hitting percentage, a -.190 3rd set hitting percentage, and a .026 overall match hitting percentage.  Senior outside hitter, Alyssa Wolslegel was able to tally 9 kills for her team.

DSHA coach said he could feel the positive energy from his team during the game.  He told his team during the two timeouts in the 2nd set to stay relaxed and focused; don’t tense up, and get back to the basics.  Annie Ertz talked about the great DSHA fans and being able to feed off of their energy.  Maddie Yoss said it was important to stay mentally tough through the match and also talked about using the momentum to push through the last two sets.  Yoss went to say that she is “fired up” for the state final.  “It will be hard to go to sleep tonight.” said Yoss.

Even with a depleted fan section due to Oconomowoc’s home Level 3 playoff football game vs Arrowhead, Oconomowoc was able to keep the energy up in order to beat Verona 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17).

Oconomowoc used a balanced attack, got up blocks, and dug out many of Verona’s balls.  Sophomore outside hitter, Amanda Garvens lead the Racoons with 12 kills to go with 12 digs.  Senior, Leah Fenske followed up her great performance on Thursday night with 11 kills and a .389 hitting percentage.  Junior libero, Natalie Perrault dug out 16 balls for the Racoons.

During the course of the 1st set Verona never lead, but they kept Oconomowoc on their toes.  Oconomowoc did a good job preventing Verona from ever going on a long extended run.  Oconomowoc took the 1st set 25-20.

In the 2nd set Verona was finally able to get their game going.  A double block by sophomore, Priya Shenoi and senior, Grace Mueller, as well as two straight aces by sophomore, Hannah Worley extended a Verona lead to 11-5, and caused Oconomowoc head coach Michelle Bruss to call a timeout.  Oconomowoc never lead at any point during the 2nd set, and the set was eventually taken by Verona 25-22.

Verona kept their momentum into the 3rd set and held the lead during most of the first half of the set.  Oconomowoc went on a 4-0 run when the match was tied 17-17.  A serving error by Verona senior Kylie Schmaltz, a kill by senior Hailey Leader, a net violation by Verona, and a tip by senior Leah Fenske sparked the run.  Verona would never take back the lead.  Oconomowoc won the set 25-23.

The Racoons played a hard fought 4th set against Verona.  Verona committed numerous violations and errors that slowed any type of momentum they had.  Oconomowoc ultimately took the set 25-17 over the Wildcats.

Verona was not without their impressive performances though.  Senior setter and Indiana University recuit, Victoria Brisack had a great game.  Brisack finished with 26 assists and a .385 hitting percentage.  Senior outside hitter, Kylie Schmaltz had 13 kills.  Schmaltz went down with an ankle injury in 3rd set, but she said she wasn’t going to stop playing and that she needed to fight for her team.  Brisack thought Verona started to play a little scared, she thought the team was playing not to lose instead of playing to win.  Overall though, Verona was proud of their season.  Verona head coach Kelly Annen thought her team came back strong with fire and emotion.  As perceived underdogs, Annen believes her team showed the state what authentic Verona volleyball looks like using proper principles.

DSHA (45-5) will compete on Saturday for their 2nd straight Division 1 state title against Oconomowoc (31-3).  These two teams faced each other earlier in the year at the Pewaukee Invitational.  DSHA won the match 2-1, but Oconomowoc has other plans in mind this time around.  Oconomowoc head coach, Michelle Bruss feels like her team still hasn’t reached their peak.  Bruss went on to say there is one last goal to check off this season, and that is to bring home a gold ball.  DSHA has a chance to bring home the gold ball for the 2nd year in a row, something that the Dashers have never done before.  If both of these teams are playing their best game it will be very fun to watch.