Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Community High School sophomore Bayleigh Laabs attempts to tip around the block of Marinette’s Maddie Schultz during Shawano’s sweep at home Tuesday.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Community High School junior Averi Vomastic passes a ball during the second set of Shawano’s sweep Tuesday. Vomastic had a team-high nine kills.
Behind the serving of Julia Klement and the front row play of Averi Vomastic, Shawano eased to a WIAA Division 2 regional victory over Marinette, sweeping the Marines, 25-11, 25-6, 25-12, at home Tuesday.
Marinette held a 3-0 lead in the first set before the Hawks started to take control.
“I think we always start slow and pick up the momentum later on, but I think that’s something we need to work on,” senior libero Saige Henning said.
Klement posted two kills and three aces to push Shawano ahead 16-7, and the Hawks would not look back.
The Marines could not keep up with the offensive firepower of Shawano.
“I knew they were a good team coming in, and we tried to slow them down with all the weapons they had,” Marinette head coach Scott Reis said. “They served well, and they made very few mistakes.”
Shawano used two more aces and three straight Marinette missed serves to take the first set 25-11.
The Hawks jumped ahead 11-5 in the second set before ending the game on a 14-1 run.
In the final set, Shawano head coach Breanna Young was able to get all of her remaining players into the game as Shawano coasted to the sweep.
“I think it says a lot when you play a team that’s maybe not the strongest you’ve seen so far, and we were able to react and (play) defense on a slower-tempo ball and execute on offense,” Young said.
It was a strong performance for the Hawks after Young was not satisfied with their showing at the Bay Conference tournament Saturday. Shawano placed fifth with a 3-2 record. The Hawks had finished the regular season tied for second place in the conference.
All aspects of the game were successful for the Hawks (23-13, 5-2 Bay Conference) Tuesday. Vomastic tallied a match-high nine kills, and Klement was not far behind with seven.
Setter Bayleigh Laabs posted 13 assists and Henning recorded five digs against the Marines (5-26, 0-9 Marinette & Oconto Conference).
The Hawks will host Seymour (25-17, 5-2 Bay), which swept Clintonville on Tuesday, in the regional semifinal at 7 p.m. Thursday. Shawano topped the Thunder in five sets earlier this season.
“Their goal tonight was the finish in three, which they did,” Young said. “I think that we know what needs to be accomplished in tomorrow’s practice … to be prepared to play against Seymour.”
Young knows the Hawks will have to slow down Seymour outside hitter Jenna Krause if they wants to topple the Thunder again. Krause had a team-high 12 kills and 18 digs in the previous meeting.
“She’s very good in the front row and back row, so we just have to shut her down,” Henning said, “and we’ll be able to take them.”