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The much-inspired play of the Rhinelander volleyball team on Friday, the second day of action at the Horicon Friendship Tourney in Wisconsin Dells, resulted in a second-place finish in the silver/gold bracket, the uppermost tier of competitive play.

The day started out in almost identical fashion as the Hodags opened play against Division 2 Wrightstown at 8 a.m. The result was the same, a loss (24-26, 23-25). However, RHS showed much more fire, which set the tone for what was to come for the remainder of the day.

“I thought we had them,” Rhinelander head coach Kathy Wawrzynowicz said. “We were up 11-1 early, but somehow Wrightstown woke up and stole the match.”

The Hodags then had to play Division 3 Peshtigo, who earlier surprised stalwart Division 1 opponent Kettle Moraine. In doing so, Rhinelander played one of its best matches in recent memory by downing the Bulldogs 28-26, 25-21.

That put RHS in the championship round in which they played Dodgeville.

However, being that this tournament was double elimination, the Hodags couldn’t afford to lose another match due to their earlier defeat at the hands of Wrightstown.

Dodgeville ended up winning 23-25, 22-25.

“If we would’ve won against Dodgeville, we would’ve had to play them again because they had not previously lost,” Wawrzynowicz said. “Even so, I am just elated with how we performed at this tournament. I mean, there were 20 teams here, and to be in the championship round among all of those squads says something about our resolve.”

Statistically for the Hodags, senior Ashley Polacek led the team with 15 spike kills. She also had two block kills and one tip kill. Junior Sara Specht led Rhinelander with five tip kills and also had 12 spike kills. Junior Molly Hildebrand tied for tip kill honors for RHS with five and also had ten spike kills and three block kills. Freshman Amy Berry, the tallest member on the team, had six spike kills, two block kills and three tip kills.

In topping other categories, senior Rhea Mainhardt had 55 assists and Polacek had 24 digs. Rhinelander’s serving percentage of 90 was consistent with Thursday’s 89 percent.

“Our front row played much better on Friday,” Wawrzynowicz said. “When that happens, our back people don’t have to play as hectic, and, in the end, better results occur. I’d say that was one of the main reasons for our success on Friday.”

Could this be a stepping stone for the rest of the season?

“It very well could be,” Wawrzynowicz said. “We are hoping to build on this. The girls are feeling good about themselves and rightfully so. But it’s part of my job to focus on our weak points and improve those things, and we will do that.”

In the early part of any sports season, coaches have to do a lot of evaluating, but this tournament has evidently sold coach Wawrzynowicz on who should be playing where.

“For a good part of this tournament and prior to it we were doing quite a bit of tinkering and shaking up the lineup, but I now have a pretty good idea of where we stand. That’s the good thing about these tournaments. Sure, you play a lot, but you also get the big picture of what your team should look like.”

The Hodags will next be starting conference action by making another trip on the road at Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, September 4. much inspired play of the Rhinelander Hodag volleyball team on Friday, the second day of action at the Horicon Friendship Tourney in Wisconsin Dells, resulted in a second place finish in the silver/gold bracket, the uppermost tier of competitive play.

The day started out in almost identical fashion as Rhinelander opened play against Division 2 Wrightstown at 8 a.m. The result was the same, a loss (24-26, 23-25), but RHS showed much more fire, which set the tone for what was to come for the remainder of the day.

“I thought we had them,” head coach Kathy Wawrzynowicz said. “We were up 11-1 early, but somehow Wrightstown woke up and stole the match.”

The Hodags then had to play Division 3 Peshtigo, who earlier surprised stalwart Division 1 opponent Kettle Moraine. In doing so, Rhinelander played one of their best matches in recent memory by downing the Bulldogs 28-26, 25-21.

That put RHS in the championship round in which they played Dodgeville. However, being that this tournament was double elimination, the Hodags couldn’t afford to lose another match due to their earlier defeat at the hands of Wrightstown.

Dodgeville ended up winning 23-25, 22-25.

“If we would’ve won against Dodgeville, we would’ve had to play them again because they had not previously lost,” Wawrzynowicz said. “Even so, I am just elated with how we performed at this tournament. I mean, there were 20 teams here, and to be in the championship round among all of those squads says something about our resolve.”

Statistically for the Hodags, senior Ashley Polacek led the team with 15 spike kills. She also had two block kills and one tip kill. Junior Sara Specht led Rhinelander with five tip kills and also had 12 spike kills. Junior Molly Hildebrand tied for tip kill honors for RHS with five and also had ten spike kills and three block kills. Freshman Amy Berry, the tallest member on the team, had six spike kills, two block kills and three tip kills.

In topping other categories, senior Rhea Mainhardt had 55 assists and Polacek had 24 digs. Rhinelander’s serving percentage of 90 was consistent with Thursday’s 89 percent.

“Our front row played much better on Friday,” Wawrzynowicz said. “When that happens, our back people don’t have to play as hectic, and, in the end, better results occur. I’d say that was one of the main reasons for our success on Friday.”

Could this be a stepping stone for the rest of the season?

“It very well could be,” Wawrzynowicz said. “We are hoping to build on this. The girls are feeling good about themselves and rightfully so. But it’s part of my job to focus on our weak points and improve those things, and we will do that.”

In the early part of any sports season, coaches have to do a lot of evaluating, but this tournament has evidently sold coach Wawrzynowicz on who should be playing where.

“For a good part of this tournament and prior to it we were doing quite a bit of tinkering and shaking up the lineup, but I now have a pretty good idea of where we stand. That’s the good thing about these tournaments. Sure, you play a lot, but you also get the big picture of what your team should look like.”

The Hodags will next be starting conference action by making another trip on the road at Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, September 4.

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