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While Wisconsin might not yet be considered a hotbed for boys volleyball athletes, the West Allis Lightning B16 squad did its part by putting the Badger State on the national map, capturing the 16 Open Division title at the U.S.A. Volleyball Junior National Championships Tuesday in Austin, Texas, and earned this week's Splash of the Week honors.



Using the momentum from a pair of three-set quarter- and semifinal matches, the Lightning trounced Ultimate B16 Gold (Chicago) 25-17, 25-13 to seal the championship of the Gold bracket at the Austin Convention Center. They began the day by defeating Balboa Bay 16 Quicksliver (Los Angeles) 22-25, 25-23, 15-12 and  defeated a Halcones de Torrimar (San Juan, Puerto Rico) 25-19, 22-25, 15-10 and in the semi- and quarterfinal rounds respectively.



The Lightning finished the 33-team National Tournament with an 11-0 record in match play and dropped just two sets the entire tournament--both in bracket play.



West Allis' Trevor Novotny (Catholic Memorial) was named the 16 Open Division's Most Valuable Player and was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Peter Hurtz (Marquette), Nicholas Olson (New Berlin), and Michael Schneck (Marquette).



Honorable Mention



Brian Cobbs, Milwaukee Lutheran: The 6-2, 200-pound running back turned heads at Thursday's SPARQ National Championship in Beaverton, Ore., finishing with the 12th best rating in the country. Cobbs posted marks of 4.63-second 40-yard dash, 4.18-second shuttle run, 39.2-inch vertical jump and a 39.5-foot kneeling powerball toss and improved his overall rating 116.73 to 120.0.



Team MEMA, Racine Lutheran/Nicolet: Two pairs of sisters won the girls Juniors Division of the Waupaca Boatride outdoor grass volleyball tournament this weekend in Oshkosh, finishing 13-1 and capturing the inaugural title. The team consisted of Rosie & Sarah Aumann from Racine Lutheran and Melissa & Angela Morello from 2009 Division 1 State quarterfinalist Nicolet.





The Splash of the Week is sponsored by PlayInTheDells.com.  It highlights the player, coach or team that has "made a splash" in the world of high school sports.  Coming out of nowhere to do something great, going above and beyond the call of duty, etc.  Basically making something big happen and having the ripples of the accomplishment resonate throughout your sport.  Please contact us to nominate your hometown heroes today!