Girls Volleyball Takes on State Again

The GHS Girls Volleyball team secured two victories against Hale and Franklin earning them a third straight trip to the state tournament.

In the sectional final game they faced West Allis Hale and won in 3 sets. The first game they lost 19-25, but came back won the remaining games 25-23, 25-21, and 25-16.

“I am really happy with how our team played. We never gave up, especially since we lost the first game and then came back to win the next three,” junior Kayce Litzau said. “Every single person on the floor was giving it their 100%.”

The team also beat Hale last year in Sectionals.

“I feel good about the win because we played them last year in the section finals and played them in a tournament this year,” junior Nicole Martin said. “Then we played them again and beat them in the Sectional finals to go to state.”

Before that set they faced Franklin and won their first game 25-13, lost the second game 21-25, won the third game 25-22, lost the fourth 20-25, and won the last game 15-13.  

“We really pushed through and started working together as a team. We also never got in our heads,” junior Ruby Anderson. “Whenever we made a mistake we would have a short memory and come back better next point.”

Going to state means facing difficult challenges, but first year coach Kelly Schmidt thinks the team will be ready.

“This is my first year as head coach, and while I have been present for our past two appearances, I can’t say there will be one thing that will be the most challenging,” Schmidt said. “When you’ve come this far you have to take it one match at a time and not get ahead of yourself.”

The team has a lot of powerful players that have been helping them win each game this season.

“I had a lot of hitting attempts and got kills to help my team ger points during each set and keep the rally alive,” Martin said.

The student section being there to support the team really helps the girls play better.

“Our fan section gives us that extra boost of adrenaline and that extra want to keep playing,” senior Corinne Bialo said. “The support from the fans means everything to the team. We really appreciate our student section.”

Students are excited for the game, and are hoping this is the year our team brings home the win.

“I think the team will perform really well. Most of the team has been to state before and has had the experience of losing,” senior Andrew  Sodeman said.  “We have most of the team returning from last year’s state team and I think the chemistry of the team is very good, allowing them to play at a higher level.”

GHS students went to support their friends.

“I’m going to watch because I want to support my friends that are on the team and cheer them on in the state tournament, which is a huge accomplishment” junior Anna Turdo said.

After losing at state last year coach Schmidt says the team has grown and will be going into the game with a new perspective.

“This is our third appearance at State and this year we come with more experience and they best way to put it is we come in with confidence and a level head,” Schmidt said.  “We are aware these matches will be tough. It’s the top 8 teams in the state, but we deserve to be there and as long as we play our game that we have been successful at we can win.  It’s all about your mindset and control.”

Unfortunately the team lost to DSHA. They lost the first set 18-25, won the second set 27-25, won the third set 25-21, lost the fourth set 17-25, and barely lost the final set 11-15.