Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano sophomore Julia Klement has already proved herself to be one of the top players in the Bay Conference.
She was one of four unanimous selections to the all-conference first team announced this week and among four Hawks to be honored.
As an outside hitter, Klement posted 216 kills on the year. She will play club volleyball over the winter and spring to improve her game.
“I think, playing in the offseason, she’ll perfect some of her skills and become more of a leader on the court,” Shawano head coach Breanna Young said.
Opposite of Klement was another first-team all-conference selection, junior Averi Vomastic, who had a team-high 266 kills.
Junior Brandi Gueths was an honorable mention choice by the conference coaches. Gueths posted 139 blocks on the season. Vomastic was second on the team in blocks with 71.
The fourth athlete honored for the Hawks was sophomore setter Bayleigh Laabs. Laabs was a little wary to control the Shawano offense at first, but she was able to begin to run a more complete offense as the season went on.
“She’s smart enough and knows enough,” Young said. “She’s a smart player. She just wanted some reassurance that it’s OK to do that.”
Shawano, which finished the season 23-14 and in second place in the Bay, fell to Seymour in four sets in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal.
Shawano hosted the WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal between Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Oconto, which gave the team a feeling of what it might be like to play in that match in the future.
It’s something they are already talking about.
“I know when we were watching the first round of sectionals, they kept telling me that was going to be them next year,” Young said. “So I think that with the work in the offseason, anything is possible.”
Bay Conference
First Team
Elizabeth Gregorski*, Xavier; Julia Klement, Shawano; Jenna Krause, Seymour; Jasmine Martin, Xavier; JaStaria Brantley, Green Bay East; Averi Vomastic, Shawano; McCoy Mix, New London; Rachel Ver Voory, Seymour.
Second Team
Kirsten Funk, Menasha; Keegan Campbell, Seymour; Leah Porath, New London; Olivia Steingraber, New London; Anna Young, West De Pere; Ella Perry, West De Pere; Gabby Murray, Xavier; Daphne Blount, West De Pere; Claudia Murray, Xavier.
Honorable Mention
Brianna Gries, Menasha; Katy Vanden Heuvel, Seymour; McKenzie Hintz, Seymour; Brandi Gueths, Shawano; Mary Blando, Xavier; Haileigh Tetzlaff, Xavier; Bayleigh Laabs, Shawano; Megan Kronser, New London.
* = Player of the Year