Third time not the charm as Royals eliminate Rib Lake

WIAA DIV. 4 VOLLEYBALL

For the third time in October, the Rib Lake volleyball team faced Wisconsin Rapids Assumption Tuesday night and for the third time they came out on the wrong end with this result ending the Redmen’s 2021 season.

Rib Lake had some good stretches but didn’t string enough points together for a long enough time to extend the match past three sets against the sixth-seeded Royals, who advanced to a WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal match at thirdseeded Edgar tonight, Thursday.

Rib Lake, the 11th seed in the sectional half-bracket, finished its year 7-22.

“With injuries to starters Emma Winter and Kyla Kennedy, we knew we had to fight hard and stay aggressive,” Rib Lake head coach Heather Weik said. “We had some game-changing momentum shifts that could have been a huge difference in the score and in the set wins. We had some critical missed serves and ball handling errors.”

Assumption grabbed a quick 9-1 lead in the opening set, but Rib Lake got on a run and got within 11-9 before the Royals used a missed serve by Rib Lake, an Autumn Moon kill and two kills from Ava Schill to open the lead back up to six at 18-12. Anna Schooley served three straight aces for a 22-13 lead and a Jayden Glaza kill capped the 25-15 opener.

Lauren Pelnis had an active start to game two for Rib Lake, getting two tips to fall and serving an ace to put the Redmen up 5-4. Things went south quickly from there, as the Royals went on a 13-3 tear to go up 17-8. Danielle Mann put down a couple of kills but that wasn’t enough to start a serious comeback as Assumption won the set 25-12.

Rib Lake had a great chance to extend the match and put some pressure on the home team in game three. Down 17-9, Mann started a late run for the Redmen with a successful deep push to the corner. Moon hit two shots too long, then Molly Heiser’s tremendous dig eventually led to a block by Josie Scheithauer that made it 17-13.

Scheithauer won another point at the net to make it 18-14 and Reagan Reinhardt later served up an ace to pull Rib Lake within 20-18.

“Middle blocker Josie Scheithauer had her hands on the ball all night getting crucial touches to keep the ball in play,” Weik said. “She ended with four blocks but was on the cusp of several more. I’m excited for her next two years as she just shifted to this position this year.”

Heiser’s kill again made it a two-point game at 21-19 and two hitting errors by Assumption tied it at 21-21. The teams traded errors for a 22-22 tie. But a missed serve and two kills from Moon ended it at 25-22.

Along with Scheithauer’s strong night at the net, Weik noted Mann and Kamy Annala both put 100% of their serves in play during the match.

Rib Lake and Assumption just met one week earlier at the Marawood Crossover Challenge in Marathon with the Royals winning in four sets. Assumption beat Rib Lake 2-0 in the Marawood’s other crossover event for the year on Oct. 2.

“With our final game completed there are nine seniors that we will say goodbye to –– eight players and manager Jenna Denzine,” Weik said. “Jenna has been a huge asset to the team this year with her support and filling in wherever we needed her. This group of seniors is hard working, smart and devoted to their team. They have been an absolute joy to work with and will be greatly missed. They have made my first year coaching very memorable.”