Brady Van Deurzen, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School senior Emily Sorenson lays out for a ball during a three-set victory over Laona-Wabeno on Tuesday in Bonduel. Bonduel won its five-team invitational with a 3-1 record.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School senior Brittany Wudtke swings through the block of the Laona-Wabeno defense Tuesday in Bonduel. Bonduel defeated the Rebels in three sets and won its five-team invitational with a 3-1 record.
Bonduel won its home invitational Tuesday with a 3-1 record.
Following a 2-1 loss to Omro, Bonduel (3-5) rebounded with wins over Laona-Wabeno, Suring and Waupaca.
Head coach Kim Bodoh said the five-team field was the strongest she could remember.
“This is my fourth year coaching here and this is my first time winning the Bonduel Invite,” Bodoh said. “This is probably the most competitive the invite has ever been.”
Following a disappointing 0-4 showing at a tourney in Oostburg last weekend, Bodoh wanted to experiment with the Bears’ offense. She said the results spoke for themselves.
“It was successful,” Bodoh said. “There were a few times that we were out of rotation, and there are a few glitches to still work out, but to me, to be successful with such a new offense just shows that this team is willing to overcome obstacles and keep pushing and fighting until we get what we need.”
The Bears were led in kills by Kailee Pedersen (21) and Emily Sorenson (19). Pedersen also lead the team in digs with 30, while Sorenson lead the team in blocks with 11.
Brynn Reinke lead the team in assists with 66, and Brittany Wudtke lead the team in service aces with 12.
Bonduel 2, Waupaca 0
The Bears opened the first set with a 7-0 scoring run and finished off the Comets 25-10.
With the Bears leading 16-10 in the second set, Waupaca rallied with a 6-2 scoring run. Bonduel fended off the comeback attempt for a 25-22 win, giving the host school the tournament title.
Omro 2, Bonduel 1
Bonduel opened the tourney with a 25-10 win over Omro and never let the Foxes get within three points.
The second game was close throughout, with Bonduel falling, 27-25.
In the decisive third set, Bonduel fell behind 4-0, evened the score at 7 and then lost momentum as the Foxes went on a 6-2 run. Omro went on to post a 15-11 win.
Bonduel 2, Laona-Wabeno 1
Laona-Wabeno erased an early 10-3 Bonduel lead with an 8-3 scoring run. The Rebels took the lead at 21-20 and hung on for the 25-23 win.
The second game was a different story. Bonduel led throughout and held off the Rebels for a 25-20 victory.
In the third game, the Bears led but the Rebels rallied to within two, 12-10. Bodoh called a timeout to calm her team, and the Bears responded by winning three of the last five points for a 15-12 victory.
Bonduel 2, Suring 1
After a successful serving streak from Sorenson, Bonduel led 10-3 in the first game. A comeback fled by Faith Buhrandt put a dent in Bonduel’s lead, however the Bears hung on for a 25-21 win.
The Bears fell behind 11-3 in the second game and never recovered, losing 25-20.
Bonduel never trailed in the third game, finishing off the Eagles, 15-8.