The future is so bright

Year one was a blast. Year two could even better. Sauk Prairie’s girls volleyball team, under the direction of first-year head coach Amy Schlimgen, reached the WIAA Division 2 regional finals last week, before suffering a heartbreaking loss to McFarland Saturday night. The 2020 season could be even better, though, as Schlimgen will welcome back a gifted and now experienced team. “Next year we’ll have higher goals,” said Schlimgen, who had a memorable run at Wisconsin Heights that included four trips to state and a state title in 2008 before coming to Sauk Prairie. “A higher finish in the conference, a regional title, and play well into sectional week and maybe even beyond. Why not?” Why not indeed. Expectations weren’t high for the Eagles this season, but Sauk Prairie finished the year 31-14 overall. Sauk Prairie, the No. 6 seed in its sectional, began postseason play with a 25-18, 25-17, 25-12 win over 11th-seeded Portage on Oct. 22. Sophomore outside hitter Aida Shadewald led the way with 16 kills and two blocks, while junior setter Olivia Breunig had 13 kills, 12 assists and two aces. Freshman setter Jenna Pistono had 12 assists and two aces, while sophomore middle hitter Olivia Paukner had two kills, two blocks, and 14 good serves with no service errors. Senior libero Ainsley Apel had nine digs, two aces, and was terrific receiving serves, while senior outside hitter Madison Pertzborn had two kills. Junior defensive specialist Kaitlyn Brickl had seven digs, junior setter Thea Baier had three assists and sophomore outside hitter Makenzie Breunig had one kill. The Eagles then traveled to third-seeded Madison Edgewood last Thursday, where they were a prohibitive underdog. But Sauk Prairie played what Schlimgen called “our best volleyball of the year” and shocked the Crusaders, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18. “It was definitely the highlight of the year,” Schlimgen said. “They couldn’t handle our serves and our hitters did not make many mistakes!” Olivia Breunig had her best night of the year with 20 kills and 15 assists, while Shadewald was dominant with 16 kills, three aces, 10 digs and no service errors. Apel was terrific in back with 24 digs, two saves, and no service errors, while Brickl had six digs and 16 outstanding serves. Pistono had 18 assists and six digs, while senior Maddy Setterlund had three kills and one block. Paukner added two kills and an ace, senior Lauren Wideen added one block and one outstanding save in front of the bench, and Pertzborn had one kill and one block. “We also played the best, least hesitant, best-flowing defense of the year,” Schlimgen said. “It couldn’t have all come together at a better time. I was so, so proud of the girls. I knew they had it in them and they were strong and mentally tough start to finish.” Sauk Prairie’s magical run ended, though, in the regional finals last Saturday. Host and second-seeded McFarland pulled out a hard fought, 28-30, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19 win. “I really wanted to crash McFarland’s party with another upset so some of the seniors on the team could hold their first regional plaque,” Schlimgen said. “But it wasn’t meant to be.” Olivia Breunig finished with 17 kills, 22 assists, 10 digs, two blocks and an ace, while Shadewald had 16 kills, 25 digs, two blocks and two aces. Apel had 29 digs and Paukner added four kills. Brickl had 15 digs and was terrific serving, while Pistono had 12 assists, eight digs and two aces. Setterlund had two kills, Pertzborn had two blocks, Wideen had one kill and one block, and Annika Braund had two kills and one block. With the Eagles returning many of their key cogs, hopes for next year will be even higher. “A lot of talent will be returning … and the future looks very bright for Sauk Prairie volleyball,” Schlimgen said. “We will have to replace some good leaders, though, from the senior class and the girls will have to get in some good quality off-season touches so they each improve their own skills. I feel that we improved as a team all season long and the girls got to watch the progression that led to a very successful season.” With even better things possible in 2020. Oct. 26 McFarland 3, Sauk Prairie 1 Sauk Prairie …….…… 30 23 18 19 McFarland ………...…. 28 25 25 25 SAUK PRAIRIE (leaders) — Kills: Breunig 17. Assists: Breunig 22. Blocks: Shadewald 2. Aces: Pistono 2. Digs: Shadewald 13. McFARLAND— Kills: Hildebrandt 9. Assists: Fortune 30. Blocks: G. Crull 6. Aces: Hildebrandt 6. Digs: Eggers 29. Oct. 24 Sauk Prairie 3, Edgewood 0 Sauk Prairie …….……….. 25 25 25 Madison Edgewood …..... 21 22 18 SAUK PRAIRIE (leaders) — Kills: Breunig 20. Assists: Pistono 18. Blocks: Paukner 2. Aces: Shadewald 3. Digs: Apel 24. MADISON EDGEWOOD — Kills: Ring 12. Assists: Foti 12. Blocks: Barth 1.5. Aces: Craig 3. Digs: Foti 13. Oct. 22 Sauk Prairie 3, Portage 0 Portage …….........………. 18 17 12 Sauk Prairie............ …….. 25 25 25 PORTAGE (leaders) — Kills: Yelk 10. Assists: Leeland 8. Blocks: Yelk, Kratz, Kreutziger 1. Aces: Leeland 1. Digs: Schmelzer 8. SAUK PRAIRIE — Kills: Shadewald 16. Assists: O. Breunig, Pistano 12. Blocks: Shadewald 2. Aces: Brickl, O. Breunig, Apel, Pistono 2. Digs: Apel 9.