The defending two-time state champion Manitowoc Lutheran Lancers’ volleyball team moves up from fifth to fourth in this week’s Division Three American Volleyball Coaches Poll released this (Tuesday) afternoon.
The Lancers (19-11) move up a spot despite losing three of four matches at The Neenah Invitational last Saturday.
Those losses were against Division One schools Kimberly ranked second) (2-0) and Brookfield East (2-1), and Luxemburg-Casco, who’s ranked eighth in Division Two (2-1). Their lone victory Saturday came against Division One school Middleton (2-0).
Head Coach Lacey Behnke has beefed up their non-conference schedule in recent years to prepare them for this time of year as the regular season winds down.
St. Mary Catholic comes to town ranked tenth this week in Division Three with an impressive resume of their own and a record of 23 and 1.
The Zephyrs and Lancers are tied atop the Big East Conference (5-0) heading into tonight’s showdown at Lancer Circle, and if last year is any indication, it’ll be quite the match.
Manitowoc Lutheran defeated St. Mary Catholic twice last season, once in Fox Crossing for the Big East Conference title and in a thrilling five-set Sectional final played in Chilton (November 1st) to punch a second consecutive trip to state.
Meanwhile, seven seniors (Morgan Jost, Ava Steuebs, Eva Manzano, Claire De Pew, Abigail Vetting, Austin LaFond and Brooke Duveneck) will be honored on senior night for their contributions to Manitowoc Lutheran Lancer volleyball. Tonight’s match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Other local and area schools ranked in Division Three include Laconia at number seven, and the Brillion Lions move up from ninth to eighth.
Luxemburg Casco is ranked eighth in Division Two, where Fox Valley Lutheran and Xavier, both of Appleton, are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
In Division One, Kimberly is second, with Neenah checking in at number four.
No local or local school is ranked in Division Four, while the Blazers of Green Bay NEW Lutheran rank fifth in Division Five.
