Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

The 4-Peat is complete! The Newman Catholic Cardinals, for the 4th consecutive year, are your 2016 Division 4 state champions! Newman Catholic defeated Clayton 3-0 (25-22, 25-10, 25-13).  Newman Catholic became the 1st team in Division 4 history to win four consecutive state championships.
 
Clayton gave Newman Catholic all they could handle in the 1st set. Clayton held steady with Newman Catholic, and even led at one point 20-17 in the 1st set. The Cardinals showed resiliency and won the next 6 points and ultimately took the 1st set 25-22. In the 2nd set Wisconsin recruit and All-American, Mariah Whalen, decided it was time to take over. Whalen accounted for 4 kills as Newman Catholic jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Newman Catholic would put Clayton in the rearview mirror as they ran away with the 2nd set 25-10.  

The 3rd set was much of the same for Newman Catholic as they took an early lead and carried it through to the end.  Clayton’s Mckenna Lasron (9 kills, 4 digs), Selena Levendoski (11 kills), Alison Leslie (8 kills), and Madysn Cardinal (8 digs) helped lead the Bears. It was another historic state final for Mariah Whalen as she broke the previous state record that was held for 11 years of .591 (Anna Dolan, Hillsboro, 2005) for Division 4 hitting percentage in 3 sets by hitting .632.  Whalen finished the match with 26 kills on 38 attempts, while Rylie Vaughn tallied 8 kills, .400 pct., 21 assists, and 10 digs.
 
Clayton head coach, Sadie Schradle said, “We are so proud of this team; this is the 4th year these seniors have finished their seasons at state, and that is something that not many players can say they’ve done. This means so much to our crowd, and our community and they are so proud of our girls.” Newman Catholic head coach, Betty Lange said, “I am very happy for all of these athletes who have worked very hard for this.” Whalen added, “We have the people that came before us to thank for helping to build this legacy.” Riley Vaughn finished by saying, “It makes all the time, all the hard work, all worth it.”