Milbank Volleyball Team Triumphs With First Win Over Groton Since 2016

A “W” is always great, but the Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball win against Groton on October 6 tasted extra sweet because it was a long time coming. Nancy Hoeke, head coach of Milbank, said, “We’ve lost to Groton the last nine times we’ve played. Our last win against them was 2016.” This year, the Lady Bulldogs bit back and defeated the Lady Tigers 3-0. Set scores were 25-22, 25-16, and 25-21.

Milbank came onto the court poised and ready. Hoeke said, “Set one was close all the way. We really played competitive and strategic. Rachel Schulte was up front at the end when it got close. She finished so strong and scored our last four points with three kills and a block.” Schulte ended the night at six of six serving and had 17 kills, nine digs, and one solo and one assisted block.”Getting the first set took the wind out of Groton,” Hoeke observed. “They couldn’t do enough in the second and third sets to overtake us. I feel we made it tough on them with strong defense, and our setters and hitters were clicking.”

The Lady Bulldogs also had a good day serving. They ended the match at 66 of 73 with eight aces for a 90 percent average. Individually, Emily Wollschlager led the team. She went nine of nine. R. Schulte hung with her at six of six. Addisyn Krause hit 20 of 21 with three aces. Hallie Schulte was 10 of 11 with two aces. Averie Engebretson, 10 of 12. She also had two aces. Rylie Overby hit 11 of 14 and added an ace.

On the attack, R. Schulte nailed it. She went 36 of 39 with 17 kills. Skyler Skoog 18 of 22 with six kills, and Overby with five kills on 19 of 21. Engebretson and Claire Snaza each had four kills. Engebretson went 8 of 8 and Snaza  was 11 of 14. Isabella Anderson contributed three kills on 10 of 11,and Casside Seezs went four of five. She donated one kill. Engebretson also added 26 assists at 73 of 74. H. Schulte was 11 of 14 with four assists.

H.  Schulte led the team in digs at 21. Krause had 12. Engebretson added 11.  R. Schulte had nine. Wollschlager made six, and Overby contributed four.R. Schulte had a solo block and an assisted block. Overby had two assisted blocks, and Snaza, Engebretson, and Skoog each had one.

“It’s probably the best complete match we’ve played this season,” Hoeke inferred.  A lot of credit to the girls for putting it all together and focusing the entire match.
Hoeke also commended the fans for making a big difference at the matches. “It’s been fun to play at home with good energy from our student section. The atmosphere brings excitement and good performance from the team.”

What’s next for volleyball? The Lady Bulldogs play the last home match of their regular season tonight, October 11.  They take on the Madison in the Battle of the Bulldogs. The action starts at 5 p.m. with the C team. The JV and varsity teams follow.

Milbank JV vs. Groton – October 6

The Lady Bulldogs’ JV volleyball team defeated the Lady Tigers of Groton 2-0 on Thursday, October 6. Set scores were 25-11 and 25-16. Coach Kelli Pillatzki, commented, “The girls did a great job of working together and setting the ball up for plays.” Abby Pillatzki went 25 of 25 with seven assists, and Rylee Scoular was seven of seven with two assists. Claire Snaza was nine of nine hitting with four kills, Siera Wenzl was seven of seven with one kill, and Isabella Anderson was five of five with a kill.

Ella Sandvig and A. Pillatki led the team in digs. They made six apiece. Siera Wenzl added four. Snaza also contributed three blocks, and Anderson made two.

In serving, Wenzl was 12 of 14 with two aces. A. Pillatzki went eight of 10.
Coach Pillatzki said they planned to practice “running more routes as hitters and staying lower on the defense” before they face Madison in the Battle of the Bulldogs. 

Seventh Graders vs. Groton – October 6

The seventh-grade Lady Bulldogs played Groton at home on October 6. Coach Jena Schulte said, “We won all three games with scores of 25 to 11, 25-19, and 25-18.” 
Top servers were Adison Pauli at 16 of 18 serves with four aces. She also finished the game with four kills. Belle Pauli was right behind at 13 of 14 serves with four aces. Lydia Gall hit nine of 10 serves with two aces. Avery Schuneman was six of six serving. She also recorded four assists. McKenzie Mueller went six of sis serving with two aces. 

Photos: Rachel Schulte—- Bottom: Emily Wollschlager