Wolves upset Sevastopol, then fall in regional final

Eight-seed Algoma shocked top-seeded Sevastopol in a Div. 4 regional volleyball semifinal match last Thursday, sweeping the host Pioneers 25-22, 25-20, and 27-25.

Sevastopol had swept the Wolves in conference play and in a tournament. The Pioneers had two first-team All-Conference players in Brynn Schartner and Leah Schopf, the latter a libero and the Packerland’s defensive player of the year. Meanwhile, the Wolves had three girls receive honorable mention: seniors Natalie Ray (all-around) and Eva Liu (libero), and junior Lauren Loucks (middle hitter).

Loucks, Ray, Sadie Rikkola and Bristol Schmidt came out swinging, combining for 40 kills, and Liu had 28 digs and 18 receptions. Rikkola and Ray combined for 44 receptions, and Aleisha Granius and Kenzie Lischka combined for 42 assists. Rikkola added 16 digs and a block, and Ray 9 digs.

Loucks had five digs and two blocks, including one for the match-winner. Granius had three aces and three digs, Lischka three digs and Schmidt two digs.

After losing eight straight to start the month, Algoma was on a three-match winning streak, their longest of the season. Coach Chris Robinson said the turnaround was part inspiration and part execution.

“We came in with a strong game plan,” Robinson said. “The girls did a great job executing that plan, flying to the ball, and being the aggressive team I know they have been capable of all season. They came in mentally prepared to work hard and get the job done, and they did. Very proud of them.”

Knowing that they played well despite losing to Sevastopol in the Algoma Invitational helped.

“They knew they had a chance for the upset,” Robinson said. “They have the confidence they need now, and I hope it pushes us even further.”

Two days later, when the Wolves went on the road for a regional final at Sheboygan Area Lutheran, it seemed like it might. Algoma won the first set 25-22, then took a 19-9 lead in the second. But the Crusaders rallied for a 25-23 win, then secured the title with two more wins, 25-22 and 27-25.

Loucks had 18 kills and two aces; Ray 35 receptions, 18 digs, 8 kills and an ace; Rikkola 17 digs, 13 receptions, 9 kills and an ace; Granius 21 assists, nine digs and an ace; Liu 31 receptions and 14 digs; Lischka 18 assists, 4 digs; and Schmidt 6 kills and a block.

The Wolves finished the season with a record of 10-25.