Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader file photo Tigerton senior Monika Minniecheske goes up for a kill against Wisconsin Valley Lutheran in late September. Minniecheske was named the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division player of the year this fall.
It was no surprise to opponents that senior Monika Minniecheske was going to be the focal point of the Tigerton High School volleyball team’s attack game this past season.
That didn’t stop Minniecheske from having a monster season on the court and leading her team to a top seed in the postseason and to a sectional semifinal.
For her play, Minniecheske was tabbed the player of the year in the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division.
“To be named player of the year is such a great honor,” Minniecheske said. “I have worked very hard to get to where I am today and I thank my coaches and most definitely thank my team for making me the best that I can be. Without their help I couldn’t have done it.”
The senior helped the Tigers to a 4-2 record in CWC-North play, tying the team atop the conference standings with Gresham, Manawa and Wisconsin Valley Lutheran. Tigerton finished third at the conference tournament.
Minniecheske finished the conference portion of the season with a 145 attack kills, 84 service points, 84 digs, 35 block kills and 23 serving aces. Across the entire season, she totaled 408 attack kills, 224 service points, 100 block kills, 174 digs and 62 aces.
Tigerton senior Kelsi Shumaker also was selected to the all-conference first team. She finished conference play with 104 digs, 93 service points, 43 attack kills and 25 aces. Over the team’s 30 season matches, she amassed 294 service points, 241 digs, 135 attack kills and 71 aces.
Helping Gresham to a share of the conference title was junior Karisa Nietzer, who earned a spot on the all-conference first team.
“It means so much to me, I work hard every practice and game,” said Nietzer. “I try my hardest to push myself to be a better player and teammate to others.”
Gresham finished fourth at the conference tournament. The Wildcats earned a No. 2 seed in the postseason and advanced to the regional final before being topped by Tigerton.
Gresham senior Tiana Ferguson was named to the second team while freshman setter Valarie Cerveny made the honorable mention team.
Bowler endured an up-and-down season. The Panthers took sixth in conference play and finished sixth at the conference tournament.
Senior Jada Waters landed on the all-conference second team while junior Kayla Pecore was named an honorable mention.
Tigerton also saw senior Jaidan Miller make the second team and senior Molly Brehm named to the honorable mention team. Miller ended the season with 454 assists, 86 digs and 158 service points. Brehm recorded 160 digs on the season, with 84 coming in conference action.
Marion finished last in CWC-North play after failing to record a win.
The Mustangs had juniors Mollie Schoen and Kyla Zillmer earn spots on the honorable mention team.
Wisconsin Valley Lutheran coach Stacy Krugler was named the coach of the year. The Wolves won the conference tournament.