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In a gym filled with volleyball fans, supporters of "Team Emma" and those waiting for River Valley Homecoming festivities afterwards, the Dodgeville volleyball team had a lot to deal with.
When it was over River Valley prevailed in a very well played three game series in sets that could have gone either way.
"It was River Valley's Homecoming and their pep rally followed our match so you can imagine the madness in that gym," said Dodger coach Nicole Hottmann.
But even with the loss the Dodgers played a key role in a great fundraising event that will benefit a young girl who faces serious surgery and the family will use the money to defray medical costs.
"It was an awesome fundraiser for Team Emma," said Hottmann.
As for the match..."We put up a good fight but still lost in three sets," the coach said.
Scores were 26-24, 25 -23 and 25-20.
Caitlyn Blume, JoJo Heimerl and Anna Ruhland all had six kills for the Dodgers. Heimerl, Ruhland and Grace Borne all had three blocks with Borne adding three aces.
Heimerl had 13 digs and four aces while Borne had 18 assists.
Tienna Gruber had 11 kills and 27 digs for the Hawks. Kate Hanson and Alycin Stephens both added six kills and a block. Ali Hoffman, Aryanna McElwee and Maci McElwee all had five kills with Hoffman adding 30 assists and Maci adding a block.
Brooke Marks had 14 digs and Emily Esser added 10.
"Both teams coordinated their efforts to do a fundraiser for "Team Emma" and together the programs managed to raise $4,700.00 to date for the family of Geoff and Tammy Mertens, former RV alumni who have a daughter Emma recently diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor," said River Valley coach Lisa Roelke.
"The match went back and forth all night, with RV prevailing,"
The win puts RV at 7-2, second in the SWC and 21-10 overall.
RV travels to Richland Center on Thursday, Oct. 10 to finish their SWC competition, and will then travel to the Oconto Falls on Sat., Oct. 12 to finish out their regular season.