This story is sponsored by: All Insurance of Marshfield
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield Columbus Catholic volleyball team is heading back to sectionals for the second year in a row after sweeping Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 3-0 in a WIAA Division 4 regional final Saturday night at Columbus Catholic High School.
The Dons 25-17, 25-13, 25-15, to advance to the sectionals again. Columbus Catholic will play at Three Lakes in a sectional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. The winner plays in the sectional final at Prentice on Saturday at 7 p.m.
In a season of uncertainty, which included a two-week layoff in the middle of the year for the Dons, head coach Kat Egle and her team are happy with every chance they get to be on the court together.
“This whole season has been so awkward, being off for two weeks and we’re just thankful every time we get to be on the court,” Egle said. “We want to finish it on the court. We feel like we lost so much of the season that it’s a big motivation to just keep playing. The girls love this game, I love coaching them. That made us stronger.”
The Dons took control of the first set from the start, rolling out to a 9-4 lead as Courtney Sommer served six-straight points, including an ace.
A kill by Jenna Kibbel earned a sideout and Dorci Walker served five points in a row to make it 17-7.
Three kills by Emmalee Jicinsky helped put away the 25-13 win for Columbus.
Assumption put up a fight in Game 2. After falling behind 7-3, the Royals took a 10-8 lead.
The Royals led 13-11 before the Dons regrouped and reignited their offense.
Jicinsky had two kills and Jenna Kibbel had a pair of aces to give the Dons a 16-13 lead, one they would not relinquish.
Meghan Kibbel added an ace and a kill from Jenna Kibbel ended the 25-17 victory.
The third set went much the same as the first for Columbus, which took an early 8-3 lead on the strength of two Walker kills.
Jicinsky had six kills in the set and finished with 14 in all as the Dons held on for a 25-15 win.
“We have the keys to get there (to state),” Egle said. “They know that. We’re all committed. It’s school, volleyball and church, and that’s it. All the pieces are there, they work hard, and we should be able to go far.”
Walker ended up with 12 kills and Meghan Kibbel had 28 assists in the win for Columbus Catholic. Kelsey Moore had 12 digs to lead the defense.