Leader Staff
Despite upsetting Shiocton late in the season, the Bonduel girls volleyball team finished in the bottom half of the Central Wisconsin Conference-8 and had no first-team selections to the all-conference team.
Seniors Kailee Pedersen and Emily Sorenson, the top two hitters on the team, were second-team picks.
“They were kind of our go-to people when we needed a kill,” head coach Kim Strayer said.
Junior Brynn Reinke took over the setter role in the team’s 5-1 system, showing a newfound poise and confidence that was lacking in years past. She was an honorable mention in the CWC-8 balloting.
Reinke’s ability to distribute the ball was a big factor in the Bears going 14-19 on the season, including a 5-5 mark in the CWC-8.
“She was so confident in her play. She knew she could get there,” Strayer said. “She knew she could set up the ball.”
Bonduel made another run to the WIAA Division 3 regional title game, before falling to Oconto in four sets.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood, which finished the season undefeated in conference play at 10-0, had four first-team selections, including Player of the Year Taylor Nier. Other first-team honorees were setter Madison Bushman, hitter Lauren Bushman and libero Helia Gagnon.
The Chargers made school history as the first volleyball team to advance to the sectional finals, where they fell to Athens in four sets on Oct. 29.
Central Wisconsin Conference-8
First Team: Andrea Pisarski, Pacelli; Becky Schroeder, Weyauwega-Fremont; Kendra Dombrowksi, Amherst; Taylor Nier*, Wittenberg-Birnamwood; Madison Bushman, Wittenberg-Birnamwood; Lauren Bushman, Wittenberg-Birnamwood; Helia Gagnon, Wittenberg-Birnamwood.
Second Team: Peyton Moder, Shiocton; Tina Ubl, Shiocton; Kailee Pedersen, Bonduel; Emily Sorenson, Bonduel; Paige Hintz, Pacelli; Karah Kluck, Pacelli; Hannah Sroka, Weyauwega-Fremont.
Honorable Mention: Claire Kreklow, Manawa; Haley Reierson, Manawa; Madisyn Morack, Shiocton; Molly Coenen, Shiocton; Brynn Reinke, Bonduel; Kendall Johnson, Iola-Scandinavia; Payton Wester, Iola-Scandinavia; Brooke Schroeder, Pacelli; Genna Knorr, Weyauwega-Fremont; Hailey Krause, Weyauwega-Fremont;
Heather Pearson, Amherst; Maizie Berry, Amherst.
* = Player of the Year