Manitowoc Lutheran and Howards Grove have arguably been two of the best in Big East girls’ volleyball programs in the last several years.
The annual matchup between the Lancers and Tigers takes place tonight at Lancer Circle as Manitowoc Lutheran plays just its second home match of the season.
Howards Grove is in Division Two again this season, where they are ranked 18th in the state.
Lancers Head Coach Lacey Behnke tells SeehaferNews.com that she has a ton of respect for the Tigers.
“They’re very storied in girls’ volleyball,” she explained. “They believe, like we do in the hard work that is necessary to be the very best. We love playing them as it brings out the best in us and vice versa.”
Manitowoc Lutheran, the defending Division Four state champions, is in Division Three this season and is ranked ninth.
Behnke says they’ve beefed up their schedule this year in striving to continually improve.
“Some of our losses this season include Oconomowoc, ranked third in Division One, and Oak Creek who’s been ranked in the top ten. We also recently played Oconto who’s ranked fifth in Division Two,” she noted. “We’ve put together some great matches against those schools, regardless of scores, and just strive to get better every day.”
The Lancers are a well-rounded team with senior outside hitter Marissa Melhorn leading the team in serving aces and aces per set.
Junior middle blocker Brooke Duveneck leads in hitting percentage and total blocks; junior outside hitter Ava Steubs leads in kills per set, and junior libero Morgan Jost is the team leader in digs per set.
Howards Grove also has a talented roster, led by 4-year starter in senior Ashlyn Graff.
Behnke says she plays multiple positions and leads the Tigers in total blocks and kills per set.
“We know the key to playing them is to try and somehow take her out of the mix,” she stated. “She’s just a strong player and a great leader. The key to any match is playing great defense and serving well. If we do those things plus pass the ball well, we’ll have a chance, and it should be an exciting match.”
Coach Behnke told us it will be great to play this one at home.
“We are excited to have them come to our gym,” the leader of the Lancers noted. “The girls are excited, and we can’t wait to play this match.”
Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
In other matches, Manitowoc Lincoln, ranked 23rd in Division One, travels to Pulaski, Roncalli visits the 20th ranked team in Division Three, the Valders Vikings, Two Rivers travels to New Holstein, Mishicot hosts Hilbert, Reedsville heads to Kohler, Brillion, ranked 18th in Division Three, travels to Sheboygan Falls, Oostburg, ranked 22nd in D-3, travels to Heritage Christian, Sheboygan Christian, which is the top ranked team in Division Four hosts Ozaukee, Sheboygan South is at Green Bay East, Sheboygan North hosts Bay Port, Random Lake visits Cedar Grove/Belgium, and Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah is home for St. Mary Catholic.
Elsewhere, Green Bay Southwest heads to West De Pere, Green Bay Preble is at De Pere, Peshtigo hosts Green Bay West, Notre Dame entertains Ashwaubenon, Green Bay NEW Lutheran, ranked 11th in Division Five, hosts Southern Door, Kewaunee is home for Sturgeon Bay, Algoma heads up to Gibraltar and Oconto, ranked sixth in Division Three, hosts Sevastopol.
