Highland earned a date with Seneca in a clash of the top two seeds in the opening round of the D5 WIAA Volleyball Sectionals when they dropped Cassville and DeSoto in the Regional semis and finals.
The Regional title sends the #2 seeded Cardinals to #1 seeded Seneca at Seneca tonight. The Cardinals will be trying to extend their season which will be the last before the I-G/Highland co-op takes place.
Veteran coach Maria Wineski feels her team has come together and is playing its best volleyball right now.
“I am so proud of them and happy for them,” she said. “We had a hard practice the night before. Some alumni came in and gave us a real test. It was nice to have someone we could work against and I feel it set us up for success. The girls were lights out tonight.”
The Cardinals, champions of the Six Rivers West, eased past De- Soto Saturday to earn the Sectional plaque. Scores were 25-12, 25-9, 25-15.
CARDINALS STATS
Adilyn Esser-9 kills, 1 block, 1 ace, 1 assist, 4 digs
Sophie Tarrell-8 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 3 assists, 7 digs
Celia Oleson-5 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 12 assists
Ava Michek-9 assists, 3 kills Lilly Tarrell-5 digs Marissa Biba-2 aces, 4 digs
Emily Laufenberg-Set some blocks that let the hitters battle their big outside hitters
“The girls reacted to the pressure,” Wineski said. “They understood their assignments and dominated.”
The Cardinals took down Cassville Thursday to earn the finals. They cruised to wins of 25-9, 25- 18, 25-13.
“I feel the girls are in a good place right now,” Wineski said. “They play so well for each other and our defense has been lights out.”
“These girls play so hard all the time,” Wineski continued. “I feel we are playing our best volleyball right now.”
CARDINALS STATS
Sophie Tarrell-6 kills, 8 blocks, 1 ace, 3 assists
Celia Oleson-9 kills, 1 ace, 10 assists
Adilyn Esser-7 kills, 1 block, 3 aces, 1 assist
Ava Michek-5 kills, 4 aces Lilly Tarrell-3 aces, 7 digs Marissa Biba-6 digs, 1 kill, 1 assist
Emily Laufenberg-5 digs
“Emily had two awesome saves tonight that kept our momentum us up.’ “She is a real spark plug and always livens going,” Wineski said.
