The Manitowoc Lutheran Lancers have repeated as state volleyball champions.
After winning their first championship a year ago in Division Four, the Lancers won a second straight title, this one in Division Three.
They defeated the top-seed Watertown Luther Prep Phoenix in four sets, 25-20.24-26.25-23, and 25-21, at The Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.
Junior Ava Stuebs, who led the Lancers with 21 kills, describes the feeling of winning a second straight title.
” It was like, yes, it’s over. I didn’t know if they were going to come back. I had no idea what was going to happen, and when they shanked the ball into the net, I said yes, yes!”
Head Coach Lacey Behnke tells Seehafernews.com that these kids hit a “fork in the road” about midseason but were able to keep the proverbial car on the road.
“They had their mind set on something, and they kept their priorities in check. They stayed humble and, most importantly, did it as a team, starting to enjoy playing the game.”
Behnke adds, “We really weren’t enjoying the game, so we changed our mental approach, and it paid off. We started hitting the ball with more purpose and passion, and the results started to show. We started to play a lot better, achieving our goals, and as a result, they are taking another gold ball home.”
Sophomore Sallieann Burrows tied senior teammate Makiah Krause for the team high in assists with 21.
When The Phoenix battled back to square the match at a set a piece, she said they went back to the basics and rallied to win.
“It begins with the serve, then the pass, the set, and the hit. We got back to that with communicating better, and when Lacey (Behnke) told us that, we got the message. We started playing with more energy and got back into the match.”
The Lancers finish this championship season with 35 victories and a total of 73 match wins in the last two years. We asked senior Marissa Melhorn what the best way is to describe being a part of this experience.
“Blessed. God has blessed me so richly with this amazing team, amazing girls who’ll be my friends for life, and these amazing coaches who helped us become the best people we can be. I’m so thankful that we were able to end the season as champions once again. Yes, blessed is the word. God has so richly blessed me in every way.”
