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WIAA Boys and Girls Volleyball State Tournament Preview

11/04/2019, 12:00pm CST
By WIAA

THE TOURNAMENT:  The 55th Boys Volleyball  and the 47th Girls Volleyball State Tournaments are combined for the first time to be held Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 7-9, at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. Ticket prices for the tourney are $10 per session with school ticket packages available. To order tickets online, go to:  https://bit.ly/2ovFEoC.

BOYS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:  The single-elimination tournament features matches with a best-of-five-games, rally-scoring format. Of the 60 schools that offer a boys volleyball program, eight remain to play for the single-division State title. Match-ups for the tournament are determined by seeding each of the teams in all divisions.

Quarterfinals - Thursday, Nov. 7

#2 Germantown (26-5) vs. #7 Franklin (16-12) - 10 a.m.

#3 Marquette (20-6) vs. #6 Racine Horlick (23-7) - 10 a.m.

#1 Kimberly (32-2) vs. #8 Kettle Moraine (14-16) - 1 p.m.

#4 Waukesha West (36-5) vs. #5 Brookfield East (22-10) - 1 p.m.

Semifinals - Friday, Nov. 8

Semifinal (Thursday's 10 a.m. winners) - 5 p.m.

Semifinal (Thursday's 1 p.m. winners) - 5 p.m.

Championship Match - Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship Match - 5 p.m.

GIRLS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION: The single-elimination tournament features matches with a best-of-five-sets, rally-scoring format. Of the 475 programs that offer girls volleyball, eight teams will play for the State title in Division 1, with four teams still in contention for the State crown in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. Match-ups for the tournament is determined by seeding each of the teams in all divisions.

Division 1

Thursday, Nov. 7

#2 Oconomowoc (37-3) vs. #7 Kettle Moraine (29-13) - 4 p.m.

#3 River Falls (37-6) vs. #6 Appleton North (32-11) - 4 p.m.

#1 Arrowhead (38-3) vs. #8 Sun Prairie (41-7) - 7 p.m.

#4 Burlington (37-4) vs. #5 Union Grove (41-5) - 7 p.m.   

Friday, Nov. 8

Semifinal (Thursday's 4 p.m. winners) - 7:30 p.m.

Semifinal (Thursday's 7:30 p.m. winners) - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship Match - 7:30 p.m.

Division 2

Friday, Nov. 8

#1 McFarland (36-3) vs. #4 Bloomer (32-7) - 2 p.m.

#2 Wisconsin Lutheran (37-14) vs. #3 Luxemburg-Casco (33-13) - 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship Match - 2:30 p.m.

Division 3

Friday, Nov. 8

#1 Howards Grove (42-4) vs. #4 Fall Creek (40-3) - 11:30 a.m.

#2 Waterloo (31-10) vs. #3 Aquinas (30-3) - 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship Match - 11:30 a.m.

Division 4

Friday, Nov. 8

#1 Clear Lake (36-0) vs. #4 Newman Catholic (22-17) - 9 a.m.

#2 Catholic Central (28-10) vs. #3 Hillsboro (25-7)  - 9 a.m.          

Saturday, Nov. 9

Championship Match - 9 a.m.

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER:  In recognition and promotion of the boys tournament moving to the Resch Center in conjunction with the girls tournament, the WIAA is encouraging attendance at the event by offering a “Buy One, Get One” promotion Thursday-Friday, Nov. 7-8. Patrons purchasing and retaining a ticket for any girl’s session can redeem the ticket at the Will-Call area for admission into a boy’s session the same day without purchasing another ticket. Likewise, purchase of a ticket for a boy’s session will be redeemable for admission to a girl’s session on the same day without purchasing another ticket. Separate tickets for same-gender sessions and for both Saturday’s championship matches will be required for admission.

FINALS ON FS WISCONSIN PLUS:  Watch the broadcast of the WIAA State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournament finals Saturday on FS Wisconsin Plus. Check local cable listings for the FS Wisconsin Plus channel in your area. The finals will also be streamed live on FoxSportsGo.com with cable system authentication.

PRE-FINAL MATCHES LIVE ON THE WEB:  The quarterfinals and semifinals of the WIAA State Boys & Girls Volleyball Tournaments will be streamed live on the WIAA.TV portal of the NFHS Network on a consumer subscription basis for $10.99 per month. To purchase a subscription to the live programming, visit https://bit.ly/2BWR1ZQ and click on the subscription graphic on the page. Archived streams of the games will be available on demand on the NFHS Network 72 hours after the tournament without requirement of a subscription.

LAST YEAR-GIRLS:  Burlington won the Division 1 title for the second straight sesaon with a 25-27, 30-28, 25-19, 25-17, victory over Oconomowoc in the championship match. East Troy won the Division 2 championship with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-13 sweep over Kettle Moraine Lutheran in title game. Lake Country Lutheran retained the Division 3 crown by defeating Stratford 23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 21-25, 15-7 in the title match. Catholic Central won the Division 4 title after defeating former defending champion Clayton  by scores of 25-17, 28-26, 25-22 in the championship final.

LAST YEAR-BOYS :  Top-seeded Germantown won its first State championship with a 26-24, 20-25, 25-23, 25-15 victory over second-seeded Kimberly in the title match.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 1 FIELD:  Top-seeded Arrowhead makes its second consecutive appearance in the State Tournament and its third overall. The Warhawks are attempting to advance past the quarterfinal  round for the first time. This season, they swept Divine Savior Holy Angels 25-12, 25-19, 25-20 in the Cedarburg Sectional final to advance to the quarterfinals. The Warhawks are the champions of the Classic Eight Conference this season. Last season’s runner-up Oconomowoc, the second seed, returns to the State Tournament for the third straight season and for the fourth time in the past five years. The Raccoons also finished runner-up in their first State appearance in 2015. They defeated Manitowoc Lincoln 20-25, 25-20, 25-11, 25-14 in the West Bend East Sectional final last weekend to advance to the State tourney field. They placed runner-up to Arrowhead in the Classic Eight Conference this season. Third-seeded River Falls qualifies for the fourth year in a row, which accounts for the total number of appearances for the Wildcats. Their previous experiences produced a runner-up finish in 2017. The Wildcats extend their string of State appearances following a 25-13, 25-14, 25-19 win over Eau Claire North in the Menomonie Sectional final. They won the Big Rivers Conference title in the regular season. Two-time defending champion and fourth-seeded Burlington qualifies for the State Tournament for the sixth straight season and for the 11th time overall. The Demons have won four State championships with the first two coming back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. They also had a runner-up finish in 2016. Their return to the quarterfinals comes by virtue of a 25-9, 25-19, 25-8 sweep over Janesville Parker in the sectional final hosted by Westosha Central. They finished in first place in the Southern Lakes Conference standings this season. Fifth-seeded Union Grove returns to the State Tournament for the third time overall and for the first time since qualifying in Class B in 1985. Their first State experience was in Class A in 1978. Both those prior appearances came during the pool-play era. This season, they advance to the quarterfinals following a 25-27, 25-16, 25-18, 26-24 victory over Kenosha Indian Trail in the sectional final played at Waterford. The Broncos were runners-up in the Southern Lakes Conference behind Burlington this season. Appleton North, the sixth seed, makes its fifth appearance and the first since 2016. Their appearance in 2015 was their furthest advance in the tourney, falling in the semifinals. They qualify this season following a hard-fought, five-set win over Kimberly by scores of 27-29, 25-18, 25-21, 17-25, 15-11 in the sectional final played at Green Bay Preble. The Lightning finished first in the Fox Valley Association standings this season. Kettle Moraine, the seventh seed, will experience the State Tournament for the first time. The Lasers earned their inaugural trip to the State Tournament by coming out on the winning end of a four-set game with Mukwonago by the score of 15-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-23 in the Waukesha South Sectional final. They finished third in the Classic Eight Conference standings behind Arrowhead and Oconomowoc. Eighth-seeded Sun Prairie returns to the tournament field for the second straight season and for the third time in the past four seasons. The Cardinals have qualified for State five times overall. Their furthest advance in the tourney was to the semifinals in 2013 and 2016. They outlasted Waunakee 26-24, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 in the sectional final played at Sun Prairie to earn their return berth in the tournament field. They finished second in the Big Eight Conference standings this fall.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 2 FIELD:  Top-seeded McFarland participated in the State Tournament one other time. That was back in 1982 when the Spartans qualified in Class B during the pool-play era. They failed to advance out of their pool that season. Last weekend, they outlasted Lakeside Lutheran 28-26, 12-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-11 to win the East Troy Sectional final. The Spartans are the champions of the Rock Valley Conference in 2019. Wisconsin Lutheran is the #2 seed in the bracket  The Vikings make their third appearance in the State Tournament and its first since back-to-back experiences in Division 1 in 2001-02, which produced a runner-up finish in 2001. This season, they are runners-up in the West Division of the Woodland  Conference and the representatives out of the sectional hosted by the Vikings following their 25-16, 25-10, 22-25, 16-25, 15-10 victory over St. Thomas More in the final. Third-seeded Luxemburg-Casco qualifies for the second time after making its first appearance in 2017, which resulted in a runner-up finish. The Spartans advance to State after a 20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-20 victory over Xavier in the Little Chute Sectional final. They finished runners-up in the North Eastern Conference this season. Bloomer, the fourth seed, is a first-time qualifier to the State Tournament. The Blackhawks celebrate their initial appearance after a highly competitive  21-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory over Mosinee in the Mosinee Sectional final. The Blackhawks are the champions of the Heart O’North Conference this season.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 3 FIELD:  Howards Grove was issued the top seed in the bracket. The Tigers are making their fourth appearance at State and their first since 2016 when they captured the Division 3 championship. They also won the Class C championship in 1976 during the pool play era. The Tigers cruised past Dominican in three sets 25-13, 25-11, 25-22 in the final of the Kohler Sectional to continue their quest for a third State championship. They are the champions of the Big East Conference this fall. Second-seeded Waterloo returns to the tournament field for the fourth time and the first since 2017. In the Pirates’ first two State experiences, they won back-to-back championships in 2014-15. Their quest for a third title continues following a 25-19, 17-25, 25-14, 25-15 win over River Ridge in the Dodgeland Sectional final. They are the champions in the South Division of the Capitol Conference in 2019. Third-seeded Aquinas returns to the tournament field for the second time in program history. The Blugolds only other appearance resulted in a defeat in the semifinals in 2016. They beat Grantsburg 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23 in the Colfax Sectional final to earn the trip to Green Bay. They are the champions of the Mississippi Valley Conference this season. Fourth-seeded Fall Creek is making the program’s first-ever State appearance. The Crickets inaugural experience in the tournament field  comes by virtue of their 25-20, 25-11, 25-16 sweep over Oconto in the St. Mary Catholic Sectional final. The Crickets are the champions of the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference this year.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 4 FIELD:  Top-seeded Clear Lake is making its first-ever appearance in the State Tournament. The Warriors gained access to the tournament field after beating Washburn 25-17, 25-12, 25-20 in the McDonell Catholic Sectional final Saturday. They finished atop the Central Division of the Lakeland Conference standings this fall. Defending champion and second seed Catholic Central makes its second straight  appearance and its eighth overall.  The Hilltoppers’ previous seven appearances have produced six championships and one runner-up finish. In addition to last season’s championship, they won three straight titles from 2006-2008 and back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. They added a runner-up finish in 2010. Prior to joining the WIAA, the Hilltoppers won a Class B championship in the now defunct WISAA in 1984. The Hilltoppers continue their quest to defend their title by sweeping Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran/ Providence Academy 25-14, 25-16, 25-10 in the Central Wisconsin Christian Sectional final. Catholic Central placed third in the Metro Classic Conference this year. Hillsboro, the third seed, is back at State for the first time since 2012 and for the eighth time overall. The Tigers had a streak of five straight appearances from 2003-07. That streak produced a pair of runner-up finishes, in 2005 and in 2007. Last weekend, they eliminated Iowa-Grant from title contention with a 25-12, 25-23, 19-25, 25-11 win in the Richland Center Sectional final to earn their return to the Resch Center.  The Tigers were crowned champions of the Scenic Bluffs Conference this fall. Fourth-seeded Newman Catholic is back in the tourney field for the eighth straight season and for the 12th time overall. The Fighting Cardinals won four straight titles from 2013-16, and they have a pair of runner-up finishes as well, those coming in 2009 and 2012. They extended their streak of State appearances by sweeping Wabeno/Laona in the Suring Sectional final by scores of 26-24, 25-18, 25-20. They finished third in the South Division of the Marawood Conference this fall.

ABOUT THE BOYS FIELD:  Top-seeded Kimberly will make its second straight appearance in the State Tournament. The Papermakers’ initial appearance last season resulted in a runner-up finish. They survived a five-set match versus Appleton North 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 15-9 in the Green Bay Preble Sectional final. They are the champions of the Fox Valley Association this year. Defending champion Germantown, the #2 seed, returns to the State Tournament for the third year in a row and for the seventh time overall. In addition to the title won last season, the Warhawks have a runner-up finish in 2013. They return to State attempting to defend their title with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep over Arrowhead in the West Bend East Sectional final. The Warhawks are this season’s champion in the Greater Metro Conference. Third-seeded Marquette is back in the State Tournament for the 18th straight year, which accounts for the Hilltoppers overall total. They have won nine State titles, capturing the gold in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014 and again in 2017. In addition, they finished runner-up in 2010 and again in 2016. The Hilltoppers return to the tournament field this season after a 25-18, 25-13, 25-19 sweep over Shorewood in the Wisconsin Lutheran Sectional final. They finished runner-up to top-seeded Germantown in the Greater Metro Conference this season. Waukesha West, the fourth seed, is a first-time qualifier to the State Tournament. The Wolverines earn their initial appearance after a five-set 25-16, 13-25, 25-17, 25-21 win over Catholic Memorial in the Waukesha South Sectional final. They shared the title in the Classic Eight Conference with Catholic Memorial this season. Fifth-seeded Brookfield East makes its third consecutive State Tournament appearance and its sixth overall. The Spartans’ furthest advance at State were to the semifinals in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Their return to the tournament field this season comes virtue of a 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 sweep of Wauwatosa East in the East Troy Sectional final. The Spartans placed third in the Greater Metro Conference this season behind State qualifiers Germantown and Marquette. Sixth-seeded Racine Horlick qualifies for the State Tournament for the ninth time, the most recent coming in 2017. The Rebels won the State championship in 2003 and have advanced to the semifinals on two other occasions. They downed Kenosha Indian Trail 30-28, 25-22, 17-25, 25-20 in the Waterford Sectional final to extend their season with a berth in the State tourney. The Rebels are the tri-champions of the Southeast Conference this fall with Kenosha Indian Trail and Franklin. Franklin is the seventh seed. The Sabers are participating in the State Tournament for the second year in a row and for the third time overall. They won the Westosha Sectional with a 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-12 victory over Muskego in the final. The Sabers are tri-champions in the Southeast Conference with Kenosha Indian Trail and Racine Horlick. Kettle Moraine, the eighth seed, returns to State for the sixth time and for the first time since 2017. The Lasers’ most notable outcome in the tournament was a runner-up finish in 2015. They defeated Middleton in five sets 25-21, 17-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-9 in the Sun Prairie Sectional final to earn their return to the State Tournament. The Lasers placed third in the  Classic Eight Conference, which was won by Waukesha West and Catholic Memorial.

RUSH TO THE RESCH:  One school qualifying for the State Girls and Boys Volleyball Tournaments in each of the four girls’ divisions and the boys’ division will receive $1000 from the Greater Green Bay Community by selling the most pre-sale tickets for the quarterfinals (Division 1 & Boys) or semifinals (Divisions 2, 3 and 4) in their respective division.

WIAA OFFICIAL VOLLEYBALL:  Molten is the official ball of the WIAA State Girls and Boys Volleyball Tournament Series. To learn more about Molten products, access the website at www.moltenusa.com.

NEED RESULTS?:  Results of the State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournaments are available on the WIAA website (www.wiaawi.org) by accessing the boys or girls volleyball tournament page.

STATE MEET ON SOCIAL MESSAGING: Receive updates of the State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournament on the WIAA State Tournament Twitter account @wiaawistate with the hashtag #wiaavb. Also like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram at wiaawi, and add us on Snapchat at wiaawis.

FORMAT FOR POST-MATCH CONFERENCES:  Following each match (or award ceremony after title games), the losing coach and players will be permitted a short cooling-off period and then escorted to the media conference area for a media conference. Immediately following the losing team’s participation in the conference, the coach and selected players of the winning team will conduct a media conference. Please, no interviews prior to teams’ participation in the media conference.

BELLIN ATHLETIC TRAINING:  Bellin Health Sports Medicine is the exclusive provider of licensed athletic training services for the State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournament.

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