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The Watertown Goslings came into this season wanting to avenge their 2008 first round exit in the WIAA State Tournament.  Well, they have gotten off to a great start.  The Goslings took the Championship at the Thomas More/Milwaukee Lutheran Joust held at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. 

 

Senior Middle Jenna Schwartz was a big part to their success.  Schwartz recorded seven kills and six blocks in their Championship match victory against Madison Edgewood.  Returning All-State Outside Erienne Lauersdorf also was a great contribution with eight kills.  Senior Outside Leanna Lillge tallied on four kills and a block in addition to the big guns in the front.

 

Coach Travis Hull s team finished second in Friday s pool play, with a 6-3 game record, but came storming back to go 6-0 in their power pool play on Saturday morning, beating both Muskego and Appleton Xavier. 

 

Although it was an easy ride through the power pool and the Semi-Final game against Kettle Moraine Lutheran, the Lady Goslings had their work cut out for them against Division 2 powerhouse Madison Edgewood.  Watertown breezed through the first game, winning 25-18, but the Crusaders would not go away.  Edgewood saw themselves down 16-15, when coach Steve Bleier called a timeout.  But Edgewood, lead by Junior setter Olivia Dittman s three aces, they rallied to take a commanding 22-16 lead, on a seven point rally.

 

But the experienced Goslings squad rallied back to tie the game at 23, before Junior outside Paige Kuypers smashed a hit cross court for the kill to make it a one point lead.  After an error kill on Lauersdorf, Edgewood took game two. 

 

The tempo of the third and final game was determined from the get-go.  The Goslings rallied off 6 straight points, mostly because of the strong front row play of Jenna Schwartz, who recorded a kill and two blocks in the 6-0 run.  The Goslings cruised from there winning the final game 15-8, and taking one of the most prestigious in season tournament championship s home. 

 

Watertown will make some big noise this season, trying to get back to state also trying to get their second state title in three years.  Coach Hull has a lot to work with this season.

 

Muskego defeated Burlington in three, 25-19;16-25;19-17, in the Silver bracket championship, and Waupun also defeated Middleton, 25-19;27-29;19-17, to win the Bronze bracket championship.

 

My "All Tournament Team":  Jenna Schwartz (Watertown, Co-MVP), Erienne Lauersdorf (Watertown, Co-MVP), Molly Toon (Middleton), Ashley Ring (Edgewood), Erica Reetz (Homestead), Bridget Nickel (Waupun), Brandi Dolgner (Waupun), Janelle Hobbs (Arrowhead), Kathleen Brennan (DSHA), Patti Abshire (Catholic Memorial), Emily Downey (Xavier), Katie Acker (Catholic Memorial), Katie Ellerson (Muskego), Tori Kroll (KML), Rachel Neuberger (Muskego).