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Bug Tussel Wireless Triple Threat Athlete of the Week: Lianna Baxter

01/21/2022, 12:15pm CST
By Norbert Durst

The Bug Tussel Wireless Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is an honor given on WisSports.net to the top senior boys and girls three-sport athletes in the state. Players are recognized each week on WSN, with the a boys and girls winner of the Pat Richter Award at the end of the season to the best three-sport athlete of the year.

The goal and mission of Bug Tussel Wireless is to level the playing field for rural residents despite where they may live. Whether you work from home, your office is downtown or you are manning the family farm, they believe residents should be connected without having to compromise speed, price, quality, service or the environment.

Name: Lianna Baxter
School: Oconto High School 
Year: Senior 

Volleyball Honors: Four-time letter winner... first-team all-Marinette & Oconto as a sophomore while playing for St. Thomas Aquinas... second-team all-Packerland as a junior... Packerland Player of the Year as a senior... WVCA Division 3 first-team all-state as a senior... coached by Adrian De la Cruz at Oconto... team captain as a senior... helped lead Oconto to a 56-6 record the last two seasons, including two sectional final appearances and one trip to the WIAA state tournament (2021)... 

Basketball Honors: Four-time letter winner... second-team all-Packerland as a freshman playing at Peshtigo... first-team all-Marinette & Oconto as a sophomore... first-team all-Packerland as a junior at Oconto... three-time team captain... averaging 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.9 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game for the 16-0 Blue Devils for coach Nick Thomson and the Blue Devils ... her career totals include 1,459 points, 791 rebounds, 270 blocks, 203 steals, and 177 rebounds in 77 games played... 

Track & Field Honors: Three-time letter winner... sectional qualifier in the 4x400 as a freshman... sectional qualifier in the 4x200 as a junior... coached by Paula Moe at Oconto... 

Favorite Sport (and why): My favorite sport is volleyball. Even though I love all the sports I play, volleyball has my heart. Any problems or stress I may have seems to fade away when I’m on that court. Over the past couple of years, I have grown a lot as a player and volleyball has become my passion."

Best Part of High School Sports (and why): The best part of playing high school sports is making memories with and having fun with my friends. Whether we are singing together on bus rides, having a dance party in the locker room after a big win, or just spending time together every day after school, my teammates are what makes high school sports so much fun. It is very special to compete with my best friends by my side and share my passion with them."

Best Advice from a High School Coach: “Always give it your all and never take anything for granted. Play every point like it's your last because it will be over before you know it.” - Coach Nancy Bucheger

Most Memorable Moment in High School Sports: "My most memorable moment is going to the WIAA State Tournament for volleyball. It was such an amazing experience. Stepping onto that court with my best friends is a moment I will always treasure."

Best Part of Playing Three Sports: "The best part of playing three sports is that you are never bored and that you are always competing. I am very competitive and I love being challenged. I am fortunate to go to a small school where I can play three sports and have the support of all of my coaches."

Toughest Part of Playing Three Sports: "The toughest part of playing three sports is not having many breaks as well as balancing athletics with academics. There is not much time between seasons which means that I am constantly busy. I have practice or a game almost every day after school throughout the entire year. This makes it difficult to find time for studying and
homework. It forces me to manage my time well and stay organized."

Favorite Opponent (and why): "My favorite opponent was the Stanley-Boyd volleyball team. They were a high-quality opponent and gave us a tough sectional final match. It made going to state that much better knowing we competed against and beat such a great team."

Favorite Professional Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks & Green Bay Packers

Favorite Professional Athlete: Kerri-Walsh Jennings

Favorite College Team: Wisconsin Badgers

Cumulative GPA: 4.076

Toughest Individual You’ve Competed Against (and why): "The toughest individual that I have competed against is Karissa Kaminsky, Howards-Grove volleyball. She is one of the smartest and most talented players I have played against."

Most Admired High School Teammate (and why): "My most admired high school teammate is Cora Behnke. She has helped me grow so much as both a person and a volleyball player. Her leadership on and off the court is inspiring and has made me a better leader myself. Having Cora as a teammate has had such a huge impact on me. She helped spark my love for volleyball and was always there to encourage me. She had a great freshman volleyball season at UWGB and I couldn’t be prouder."

College Plans: "My college plans are unfolding. I am still looking for the best fit for me, but I plan on playing volleyball in college. I’m thinking about majoring in elementary education."

Activities Outside of Sports: "When I am not training for or playing sports, I enjoy reading, drawing, watching movies, having fun with my family, and hanging out with my friends."

I Find it Relaxing to: "Listen to music or read a good book."

Favorite TV Show: Criminal Minds

Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia

Favorite Musical Artist(s): Taylor Swift & Harry Styles

Favorite Subject: English

Favorite Restaurant: Chick-fil-A

Favorite Website: Hudl

Other Family Members: Patrick (Dad), Christy (Mom), Kadin & Dominik (Younger Brothers), Skylyn & Phoebe (Younger Sisters)

Tag(s): Triple Threat AOTW  News Archive  GBB News  News  Norbert Durst