Milbank Cruises to the Championship at Ipswich Volleyball Tourney

Milbank played a total of four matches and won all four to sweep the Ipswich Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, September 16.  In pool play, the Lady Bulldogs powered through three matches to post victories against Lemmon, North Central, and Langford Area. In the final round, Milbank earned the title of champion in a 2-0 showdown against Kimball-White Lake. 

Milbank’s head coach, Nancy Hoeke, commented, “Both sets [in the championship round] were challenging. We got behind 21-22 in each, but made up our minds to finish strong, play hard, and be tough to beat. The team played with purpose and embraced the challenge. Sometimes that mindset works and sometimes it doesn’t, but a team with that mindset is so fun to coach and watch.” 

MIlbank 2 vs. Lemmon 0

Milbank won their first match against Lemmon 2-0. The Lady Bulldogs put up a 90 percent serving percentage with five aces. Addisyn Krause ( 21 of 24) had all five aces.  Ella Sandvig’s serve was spot on at 7 of 7. Shaylee Schuchard went six of six; Skyler Skoog, five of five; and Siera Wenzl, five of six. Rachel Schulte missed her single attempt.

Skoog led Milbank with five kills. Schuchard, Schulte, and Isabella Anderson each had four kills. Hailey Zinter and Sandvig recorded one apiece.

Schulte made nine assists. Krause had six. Anderson had three, and Rylee Scoular claimed one.

Schulte also led the Lady Bulldogs with 11 digs. Wenzl was next with nine. Sandvig had eight. Krause, six; Schuchard, five; and Skoog, four. Scoular and Abby Pillatzki each made one.

Skoog recorded Milbank’s only solo block and added one assisted block. Claire Snaza, Schulte, and Schuchard each had one assisted block.

Milbank  2 vs. North Central 1

Milbank beat North Central in three sets with scores of 25-16, 25-27, and 25-9. The Lady Bulldogs amassed a 91 percent serving average with six aces. Schuchard and Wenzl led the team at 11 of 11. Schuchard had one ace. Sandvig went 19 of 21. Addisyn Krause was 14 of 16 with four aces; Skoog, six of seven; and Schulte six of eight with an ace.

On the attack, Skoog and Schulte led the way with 14 kills apiece. Schuchard had seven. Anderson had six. Snaza made three and Zinter had one. 

Schulte was credited with 21 assists and Krause added 19. Skoog made the most digs for Milbank at 21. Krause, Sandvig, and Wenzl followed at 20. Schulte made 18.

Snaza put up a solo block and one assisted block. Schuchard and Anderson each had three assisted blocks. Skoog and Zinter made one apiece.

Milbank 2 vs. Langford Area 0

The Lady Bulldogs’ serving average dipped slightly to 86 percent against Langford Area, but they still managed to make quick work of the Lady Lions in two sets – one at 25-9 and the other at 25-18.

Schuchard led Milbank with her serving record of  seven of seven. Scoular was also perfect at two of two. Skoog hit 11 of 12 with one ace. Krause was 10 of 11. She had three aces. Sandvig went seven of nine with one ace. Wenzl was three of four, and Schulte two of three.

Schulte took over the attack. She made nine kills. Scoular had eight. Anderson and Schuchard each had three. Snaza had two.

Krause added nine assists to Milbank’s total. Schulte contributed seven. Scoular had three, and Kaitlyn Huber made one.

Schulte put up 10 digs – tops for the Lady Bulldogs. Sandvig added seven. Krause had six. Schuchard and Schulte each recorded three assisted blocks. 

Championship Match –  Milbank 2 vs. Kimball-White Lake 0

Milbank shut out Kimball-White Lake 2-0  in the championship match. Both sets ended with the same score of 25-23.

The Lady Bulldogs posted their highest scoring average of the tournament at 92 percent. As a team, they put up four aces. Siera Wenzl paved the way at 10 of 10. Schulte was also flawless at seven of seven. Schuchard went 11 of 12 with three aces. Skoog and Sandvig were each seven of eight. Krause went three of four.

Skoog led the attack with 10 kills. Schulte had seven. Snaza made four. Schuchard and Anderson each had two.

Krause contributed 14 assists. Schulte added eight. Schulte had the most digs at 14. Krause was close behind at 13 and Sandvig added 11. Anderson made the Lady Bulldogs only solo block. Snaza and Schulte each pitched in with one assisted block.

Hoeke concluded, “ It was an exciting first-place match for the Bulldogs. As a team, these girls are gaining confidence. There were a number of positive performances throughout the day. Having players step up gives our team options.”