Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader file photo Shawano’s Abi Vomastic spikes the ball during a Bay Conference match against Seymour earlier this fall. Shawano is eyeing a conference title.
With just three seniors on its roster, it was no secret that the Shawano Community High School volleyball team was going to be counting on underclassmen to be successful.
The team was still returning plenty of talent from last year’s team that finished third in the Bay Conference and made a run to the regional final, but coach Breanna Young also knew she would need to replace a handful of graduates, including two all-conference hitters.
The team has gelled about as well as one could have hoped and held a 27-6 record overall and 5-0 mark in conference play as they headed into a critical conference clash with Green Bay East on Thursday.
Young credits the upperclassmen for helping the younger players come in and excel.
“From the first day of practice this year we as coaches knew we had to set the expectations and standards high, especially of our seniors,” Young said.
“Of course, our main focus is always in the moment, but the future never fails to stay in the back of our mind. We make sure that our varsity squad, our upperclassmen for sure, know that they are the example, they are what the future of Shawano volleyball can and will look like, but that only they themselves can be in charge of that.
“The way our players interact with each other, the way they never fail to come together and gel doesn’t go unnoticed and we take great pride of the family we create inside the gym walls.”
Shawano’s three seniors — Bayleigh Laabs, Tori DePerry and Julia Klement — have enjoyed serving as leaders of the team while also mentoring the younger core.
“Being on the court with all my teammate is so much fun because of the trust we have for each other,” said Laabs, who leads the team with 187 digs and 472 assists. “When I set the ball, I have faith that all my hitters will get it over.”
Klement tops the Hawks with 191 kills while also totaling 35 aces, 24 blocks and 168 digs. DePerry has contributed 118 kills and 41 blocks this season.
Juniors Abi Vomastic, Katelyn Wilber and Kyra Klement, sophomore Rachel Reed and freshman Margo Gull have also played vital roles for the Hawks so far. The younger athletes have appreciated the help the older players have offered.
“We have strong leadership with our upperclassmen. They are very supportive during practice and help us learn to be better players,” Reed said. “They are very open to including us in activities outside of volleyball. The upperclassmen have learned how to be good leaders from previous senior classes, it’s become expected.”
Anyone who has taken in a Shawano match also knows the team likes to have fun. They can often be seen laughing, smiling and even participating in dance-offs during breaks in the action. Several players also mentioned how team dinners have helped the team gel and become closer.
“Our team chemistry is what I love about us,” said DePerry. “We all gel so well together and our bonding and spaghetti dinners have definitely helped. We know each other’s personalities along with strengths and weaknesses, and we know what to do when one of us is down.”
The team bonding is certainly paying off as Shawano seems to be finding its groove at just the right time of the season. The Hawks haven’t lost since Sept. 15 at an invitational, losing just one set over their last seven victories.
The team was finally recognized for its stellar play, being named an honorable mention in Division 2 of the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association state rankings this past week.
As the regular season winds down, the team’s focus will switch to the postseason. Before then, the Hawks still have a big regular season goal it would like to check off.
The Hawks are just two wins away from a Bay Conference title, with one monster matchup remaining on Tuesday in Shawano against Xavier.
“To claim a Bay Conference title, I think we need to keep practicing hard like we’ve been and not settle, keep pushing ourselves to be better because no matter the skill there’s always room for improvement,” Klement said.
“To make winning conference a reality, we need to keep playing how we have been and set the tempo for the games,” Vomastic said. “We will have to work harder and push ourselves to be better and smarter while we are playing.”
Shawano will honor its three seniors before Tuesday’s match against Xavier, which is set for a 7 p.m. start. Following that match, only the Bay Conference Tournament at Green Bay East on Saturday, Sept. 13 remains before the start of regional play.
“Playing on the court together is something I love doing and will greatly miss after the season is over,” DePerry said. “Playing on our home court is the best but I can’t wait to play at the Resch Center (in Green Bay) and get a state title with these ladies.”