Xavier shakes off nerves to sweep Bloomer, advance to Division 2 girls volleyball championship match

ASHWAUBENON − Some of the Xavier girls volleyball players admitted to being just a bit nervous heading into arguably the biggest match of their season Friday.

And it was at those times the players leaned on each other to find peace in their situation and focus on the task at hand. The Hawks certainly did that in a 3-0 sweep of Bloomer in a WIAA Division 2 state semifinal at the Resch Center.

Top-ranked Xavier (38-7) swept Bloomer 25-8, 25-16, 25-20 to advance to play Sauk Prairie in Saturday's championship match at 2:30 p.m.

"I was definitely nervous at the start," senior defensive specialist Haley Flick said. "It took me until after warmups to really just realize that I can just trust the people around me."

Xavier got it together early on, as it blitzed Bloomer into early submission in the first set.

"Going in I was definitely nervous but I know what my team is capable of and I knew that my teammates would be there for me," sophomore outside hitter Annika Kowalski said. "After warmups, we’re just focusing on our huddle and our team."

Bloomer played better in the second and third sets, but the Hawks' varied offensive attack proved to be difficult for the Blackhawks to fend off.

Halle Vande Hey had 13 kills to lead Xavier with Mattea Kiepert adding 12. Madison Daley and Kowalski also had eight kills apiece as the Hawks converted on 33% of their attacks.

"Our energy right out of the gate was high," Xavier coach Luke Herriges said. "I think we were a little nervous, but we didn't show it and that's credit to all the work these kids put in this whole season."

Mariah Potter had 34 assists and the Xavier defense was critical with Belle Shea leading the way with 20 digs and Kowalski chipping in 13.

"I just love to be on the ground," Shea said. "I love to take care of my teammates and I give them what I can and try to get everything up and work my hardest and never let anything hit the ground."

Katlyn Jones had seven kills to lead Bloomer with Amelia Herrick chipping in 14 assists.

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Sauk Prairie advanced with a 3-1 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran. The Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the latest Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association poll in Division 2.

Coach Amy Schlimgen said the Eagles didn't play Xavier this season but will prepare as best they can for Saturday's title match.

"We've got a lot of film to watch tonight as a team," she said. "I know they're very strong, but I think we're pretty even if you look at (common) opponents. We beat some by more points, so I think it'll be a good match."

Herriges said the Hawks are focused "on our side of the net and taking care of our people."

"We're focused on what we're doing and trying to make other teams adjust to us," he said. "I think the semifinal match might be the hardest match because everyone wants to get to that championship. And now (Saturday) we're just going to let it rip. We're going to play free and enjoy the last bus ride with our team, the last dances and singing in the locker room and we're just going to go out there and play fearless."

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Xavier Hawks sweep Bloomer in WIAA girls volleyball semifinal match