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WIAA Boys and Girls Volleyball State Tournament Preview

11/01/2021, 2:00pm CDT
By WIAA

State volleyball will return to the Resch Center this year

From the WIAA -- 

THE TOURNAMENTS:  The 58th State Boys Volleyball Tournament and the 49th State Girls Volleyball Tournament will be held Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 4-6, at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. Ticket prices for the tourney are $11 per session with school ticket packages available. To order tickets online, go to:  https://bit.ly/3EsW2rv.

COVID PROVISIONS:  Fully vaccinated individuals should consider wearing a mask in areas of high likelihood of transmission. In addition, masks are strongly encouraged for individuals not fully vaccinated.

BOYS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:  The single-elimination tournament features matches with a best-of-five-sets, rally-scoring format. Of the 57 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.

Boys Quarterfinals - Thursday, Nov. 4
#2 Marquette (32-7) vs. #7 Wauwatosa East (24-12) - 10 a.m.
#3 Catholic Memorial (26-10) vs. #6 Arrowhead (20-12) - 10 a.m.
#1 Kaukauna (43-1) vs. #8 Kenosha Indian Trail (22-13) - 4 p.m.
#4 Kettle Moraine (27-10) vs. #5 Westosha Central (35-6) - 4 p.m.

Boys Semifinals - Friday, Nov. 5
Semifinal (Thursday's 10 a.m. winners) - 5 p.m.
Semifinal (Thursday's 4 p.m. winners) - 5 p.m.

Boys Championship Match - Saturday, Nov. 6
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 471 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.

Girls Division 1

Thursday, Nov. 4
#2 Appleton North (39-6) vs. #7 Holmen (29-2) - 1 p.m.
#3 Brookfield Central (34-11) vs. #6 River Falls (31-3) - 1 p.m.
#4 Burlington (38-4) vs. #5 Kettle Moraine (31-6) - 7 p.m.
#1 Oconomowoc (36-5) vs. #8 Oak Creek (31-10) - 7 p.m.      

Friday, Nov. 5
Semifinal (Thursday's 1 p.m. winners) - 7:30 p.m.
Semifinal (Thursday's 7 p.m. winners) - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 6
Championship Match - 7:30 p.m.

Girls Division 2

Friday, Nov. 5
#1 Luxemburg-Casco (40-5) vs #4 Reedsburg (27-8) - 2 p.m.
#2 McFarland (39-2) vs #3 Pewaukee (38-9) - 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 6
Championship Match - 2:30 p.m.

Girls Division 3

Friday, Nov. 5
#1 Lake Country Lutheran (36-7) vs. #4 Unity (36-1) - 11:30 a.m.
#2 Howards Grove (41-5) vs. #3 Oconto (36-2) - 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 6
Championship Match - 11:30 a.m.

Girls Division 4

Friday, Nov. 5
#1 Monticello (24-1) vs. #4 Wabeno/Laona (37-8) - 9 a.m.
#2 McDonell Catholic (34-14) vs. #3 Wonewoc-Center (27-2)  - 9 a.m.            

Saturday, Nov. 6
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. 4-5. 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 all Saturday’s championship matches will be required for admission.

FINALS ON BALLY SPORTS WISCONSIN PLUS:  Watch the airing of the WIAA State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournament finals Saturday on Bally Sports  Wisconsin Plus. Check local cable listings for the Bally Sports Wisconsin Plus channel in your area. The finals will also be streamed live on Bally Sports app with registration and 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://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/wiaa-wi/volleyball. Archived Streams of the games will be available on demand on the NFHS Network 72 hours after the tournament with a subscription to the Network.

LAST YEAR-GIRLS:  There were four divisions of championship tournaments in the fall of 2020 and two divisions in the alternate season played in the spring of 2021 with COVID-related accommodations. Hamilton won the Division 1 title with a 25-18, 17-25, 25-23, 25-20 victory over Burlington in the championship match. Luxemburg-Casco cruised to the Division 2 championship with a 25-22, 25-21, 25-17 sweep over third-seeded Lakeside Lutheran in title game. Howards Grove beat Waterloo 23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-11 in the title game to earn the gold trophy in Division 3. Catholic Central won the Division 4 crown by defeating McDonell Catholic 25-21, 25-23, 25-22 in the title match. Appleton North won the Division 1 title of the alternate season with a 25-20 25-21, 25-17 triumph over second-seeded Manitowoc Lincoln in the championship game, and Washburn downed Brodhead 25-22, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21 in the title match to win the Division 2 crown of the alternate season.

LAST YEAR-BOYS:  Kettle Moraine won the championship with a 25-20, 25-13, 21-25, 25-14 victory over Marquette in the title match. In the alternate season, Kimberly defeated Middleton 25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23 to win the title.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 1 FIELD:  Oconomowoc is the #1 seed in the bracket. The Raccoons return to the State Tournament for the fifth time in the past seven years, which accounts for the Raccoons overall number of experiences at State. They advanced to the championship match in 2015 and in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019, finishing runner-up on all three occasions. This season, the Raccoons defeated Manitowoc Lincoln 25-13, 25-19, 25-14 in the Slinger final to continue the quest for their first title. They are the champions in the Classic Eight Conference this season. The 2020-21 alternate season champion Appleton North is the #2 seed in the bracket. The Lightning will be appearing in their seventh State Tournament overall and essentially their third in a row including the alternate season. Prior to their championship last spring, the furthest advance in the tournament was to the semifinals in 2015. They qualify this season after downing Kimberly in three sets 25-8, 25-23, 25-19 in the sectional final played at Kaukauna. The Lightning finished second in the Fox Valley Association standings this fall. Third-seeded Brookfield Central is a first-time qualifier of the State Tournament. The Lancers celebrate their first appearance following a 25-10, 29-27, 25-17 sweep of Divine Savior Holy Angels in the Cedarburg Sectional final. During the regular season, they placed third in the Greater Metro Conference. Perennial qualifier and last year’s runner-up Burlington, the fourth seed, advances to the State Tournament for the eighth straight season and for the 13th time overall. The Demons have won four State championships with a pair of back-to-back titles. The first two came in 2011-12 and the most recent in 2017-18. In addition to last season, they also had a runner-up finish in 2016. The Demons return to the tourney field comes by virtue of a 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-12 victory over Fort Atkinson in the sectional final held at Beloit Memorial. They finished first in the Southern Lakes Conference standings this season. Fifth-seeded Kettle Moraine advances to the State Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons since making its first appearance in 2019, which culminated with a loss in the quarterfinals. The Lasers return to the tournament field following a 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22 win over Wisconsin Lutheran in the Waukesha West Sectional final. They finished runner-up to top-seeded Oconomowoc in the Classic Eight Conference standings this fall. Sixth-seeded River Falls qualifies for the sixth year in a row, which accounts for the total number of appearances for the Wildcats. The most notable of their previous experiences was a runner-up finish in 2017. The Wildcats extended their string of State appearances following a hard fought 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12 win over Chippewa Falls in the sectional final played on the road at Chippewa Falls. They are the champions in the Big Rivers Conference this fall. Holmen is the seventh seed in the bracket. The Vikings will be experiencing the State Tournament for the first time in the program’s history after coming back to beat Middleton  23-25, 29-27, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11 in the Baraboo Sectional Final. The Vikings are the champions in the Mississippi Valley Conference this year. Oak Creek is the eighth seed in the bracket this season. The Knights are back in the State Tournament for the first time since 1995. Each of their previous seven State experiences came during the pool-play format from 1980-95 and all of them came in Class A and Division 1. They had a string of four straight appearances from 1980-83, which produced a championship in 1982 and a runner-up finish in 1983. The Knights outlasted sectional final host Muskego 23-25, 25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 15-6 to return to State for the first time in 26 years. They are the champions of the Southeastern Conference this fall.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 2 FIELD:  Two-time defending champion Luxemburg-Casco is the top seed in the bracket. The Spartans qualify for the third time in the past four seasons, which accounts for their overall total. In addition to the titles won the past two years, they advanced to the title match in 2017 that resulted in a runner-up finish. The Spartans earned the opportunity to contend for a third straight crown following a 25-18, 25-21, 25-13 sweep of Mosinee in the Luxemburg-Casco Sectional final. They captured the league championship in the Northeastern Conference this season. Second-seeded McFarland returns to State for the fourth time and essentially for the third straight season, including the alternate season played last spring. The Spartans most notable accomplishment at State was a runner-up finish in 2019. It will be their third overall appearance at State, having participated in Class B with the pool-play format in 1982. They failed to advance out of their pool that season. They ousted Sauk Prairie 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 to win the sectional final McFarland hosted. The Spartans are the champions in the Rock Valley Conference this fall. Pewaukee, the third seed, qualifies for the State Tournament for the first time in 26 years, and for the sixth time overall. All five of the previous experiences were from 1974-1995 during the pool-play format era. The Pirates won back-to-back Class B championships in 1974-75 and placed runner-up in 1976. This season, they swept Pius XI Catholic in a three set match 25-17, 25-11, 25-16 in the Brown Deer Sectional final to advance to the State semifinals. They were co-champions in the West Division of the Woodland Conference with Wisconsin Lutheran during the regular season. Reedsburg, the fourth seed, is a first-time qualifier to the State Tournament. The Beavers will experience their initial appearance after sweeping Baldwin-Woodville 25-10, 25-15, 25-17 in the Altoona Sectional final. They placed third in the West Division of the Badger Conference this season.

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 3 FIELD:  Lake Country Lutheran was issued the #1 seed in the division.  The Lightning make their fourth State appearance and the first since 2018. In each of their previous experiences, they have advanced to the championship match in Division 3.  They won two straight titles in 2017 and 2018, and they finished runner-up in 2015. The Lightning defeated Cuba City 25-8, 25-13, 25-13 in the Waterloo Sectional final to advance to the semifinals. They are the champions in the Midwest Conference this season. Two-time defending champion Howards Grove was issued the #2 seed in the bracket. The Tigers are making their sixth appearance at State overall. They have won championships in all but one of their previous experiences. In addition to the titles the past two seasons, the Tigers captured the Division 3 crown in 2016 and the Class C championship in 1976 during the pool-play era. The Tigers breezed past Kenosha Christian Life 25-17, 25-13, 25-12 in the final of the Williams Bay Sectional to continue their pursuit of their third straight championship. They are the champions of the Big East Conference this fall. Third-seeded Oconto advances to the State Tournament for the third time and for the first time since 2012 when the Blue Devils finished runner-up. The only other appearance came in 1999 when the Blue Devils lost in the semifinals. They are the representatives out of the Amherst Sectional with their 25-14, 17-25, 25-22, 25-21 win over Stanley-Boyd in the final. They won the league title in the Packerland Conference in 2021. Fourth-seeded Unity will appear in the State Tournament for the first time. The Eagles earned their initial berth in the Division 3 tourney field with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-20 victory over Aquinas in the Shell Lake Sectional final. They finished the regular season as champions in the West Division of the Lakeland Conference

ABOUT THE GIRLS DIVISION 4 FIELD:  Monticello is issued the top seed in the bracket in its first-ever appearance in the State Tournament. The Ponies are celebrating their first trip to the Resch Center following a 25-18, 25-23, 25-13 triumph over Hilbert in the final of the sectional played at Hilbert. They are the champions in the East Division of the Six Rivers Conference this fall. Last year’s runner-up McDonell Catholic is the second seed. The Macks are making their second consecutive appearance at State and their fourth appearance overall. They won the championship in their first-ever appearance in 2009. This season, the Macks defeated Mercer 25-20, 25-17, 25-18 in the Clear Lake Sectional final to advance to the State semifinals after placing fifth in the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference during the regular season. Wonewoc-Center is a first-time qualifier for the State Tournament. The Wolves first advance to the State semifinals came with a 22-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-15 win over Highland in the sectional final hosted by Highland. They are the champions in the Scenic Bluffs Conference this season. Fourth-seeded Wabeno/Laona is another first-time qualifier in the Division 4 field. The Rebels downed Columbus Catholic 25-20, 25-12, 17-25, 25-16 in the final of the Bowler Sectional to earn their first experience at State in program history. They finished runner-up in the Northern Lakes Conference this year.

ABOUT THE BOYS FIELD:  Top-seeded Kaukauna is making its first appearance at State since 2017 and its 23rd tournament overall, which is the most of any member school. The Galloping Ghosts are tied with Marquette for the most titles of any existing school program with nine. Those came in 1967­–when the boys season was played in the spring–1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982 and 2015. In addition, they have placed runner-up in the fall seasons of 1967, 1974, 1976, 2011 and in 2017. They ousted Appleton North 25-19, 26-24, 30-28 in the final of the sectional hosted at Kaukauna to advance into the final field of eight. The Galloping Ghosts are the champions of the Fox Valley Association this year. Last season’s runner-up Marquette is back in the State Tournament for the 20th straight year, which also 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 year by defeating Dominican 25-16, 25-19, 25-18 in the Brown Deer Sectional final. They are the champions of the Greater Metro Conference. Catholic Memorial is the third seed in the bracket. The Crusaders qualify for the 14th time and for the first time since 2018. The Crusaders’ three State championships came in 2000, 2010 and 2016. In addition, they have finished runner-up four times (2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007). They return to the State bracket this season after defeating Mukwonago 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 in the sectional final held at Beloit Memorial. The Crusaders tied for the  Classic Eight Conference championship with Arrowhead this fall. Last year’s champion Kettle Moraine, the fourth seed, returns to State for the third straight season and for the eighth time overall. In addition to their title last year, the Lasers’ were runners-up in 2015. This season, they eliminated Middleton with a 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-15 win in the final of the McFarland Sectional for the opportunity to defend their title. The Lasers placed fourth in the Classic Eight Conference, which was won by Arrowhead. Fifth-seeded Westosha Central qualifies for the second season in a row and for the fifth time overall. The furthest advance at State for the Falcons was to the semifinals in their first two experiences in 2010 and 2011. They earned a hard-fought 31-29, 25-18, 25-27, 23-25, 15-13  victory over Muskego in the sectional held on the road at Muskego. They finished atop the standings in the Southern Lakes Conference this year. Arrowhead has been issued the sixth seed in the bracket. The Warhawks return to the tournament field for the second straight season and for the eighth time overall. Their most notable outcome at the State Tournament was a runner-up finish in 2001. It took five sets to defeat Germantown 22-25, 27-29, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12 after falling in the first two sets in the final of the sectional held at Slinger to earn a berth in the State bracket. The Warhawks shared the title in the Classic Eight Conference with Catholic Memorial this season. Wauwatosa East, the #7 seed, makes its 11th overall appearance and its first since 2016. The Red Raiders have captured one gold trophy, that came in 2006. They earned the opportunity to continue their quest for a second State title by defeating Wauwatosa West in three sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 in the sectional final played at West Allis Hale. The Red Raiders finished third in the Greater Metro Conference, which was won by Marquette. Eighth-seeded Kenosha Indian Trail is back in the tournament field for the fourth time and for the first time since 2018. The most notable experience at State was their advance to the semifinals in 2018. The Hawks earned their berth this season with a 25-23, 25-17, 25-15 sweep of Racine Case in the sectional final played on the road at Case. They are the champions of the Southeast Conference this year.

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, and follow us on Instagram at wiaawi.

STATE MEET APPAREL:  WIAA licensed apparel is available exclusively at the Resch Center during the State Volleyball Tournaments. To browse and purchase branded merchandise, visit the apparel store outside section 202. There are no online sales for WIAA State Volleyball Tournaments apparel.

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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