Eagles’ spikers fare well

Sure, a title would have nice. But after Sauk Prairie’s girls volleyball team settled for second place at their own tournament last Saturday, Eagles coach Amy Schlimgen wasn’t complaining. “The day was a good one overall,” Schlimgen said. “We had some strong, exciting plays and once we can reduce or eliminate the unforced errors, we could be one of the strongest teams in the area.” The Eagles started the day with a 25-19, 25-19 win over Edgerton. Aida Shadewald led Sauk Prairie with 11 kills and six digs, while Olivia Breunig had 12 assists, three kills and two aces. Thea Baier had three assists and three digs, Hannah Kruckman had two kills, Ainsley Apel had four digs and two aces and Kaitlyn Brickl had four digs. Sauk Prairie then defeated Markesan, 25-14, 26-24. Shadewald had 10 kills and three blocks, Kruckman had four kills, and Apel had eight digs and two aces. Madison Pertzborn had three blocks, while Breunig had five assists, three kills, two aces and two saves. Jenna Pistono had six assists and Olivia Paukner had two kills and 11 good serves. The Eagles then defeated Darlington, 25-13, 25-21. Shadewald led the way with eight kills, three aces and seven digs, while Breunig had six kills, 14 assists and five digs. Pistono had nine assists, Lauren Wideen had three kills and Kruckman had six kills. Apel had 14 digs and Maddy Setterlund had four kills. Sauk Prairie then downed Lodi, 25-14, 25-14. Breunig had eight kills, seven assists, two aces and two blocks, while Kruckman had three kills and two blocks and Shadewald had three kills and nine digs. Pistono had seven assists, Wideen had four blocks, Apel added eight digs and two aces, Setterlund had two kills and Brickl had three digs. The Eagles then moved to the championship against Reedsburg, which was also 4-0 on the day. The Beavers got the better of Sauk Prairie, though, and prevailed, 25-21, 25-23. “We couldn’t stop them and committed too many unforced errors,” Schlimgen said. Apel, Shadewald and Breunig were all named to the all-tournament team. The Eagles also defeated Stoughton last Tuesday and lost to Beaver Dam last Thursday. Sauk Prairie toppled Stoughton, 25-12, 25-15, 25-20. Breunig led the way with 13 kills and eight assists, while Shadewald had nine kills and seven aces. Apel had 14 digs and two aces, Pistono had nine assists, Brickl had six digs and 100% serving, and Kruckman added two aces. Beaver Dam then defeated the Eagles, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-16 last Thursday. “We came out strong,” Schlimgen said. “Then we committed too many unforced errors … and by the fourth set, they really had us figured out.” SAUK PRAIRIE INVITATIONAL Final standings — Reedsburg 5-0; Sauk Prairie 4-1; Lodi 3-2; Darlington 2-3; Edgerton 1-4; Markesan 0-5. Edgerton: Lost to Darlington, 25-16, 20-25, 13-15; lost to Sauk Prairie, 19-25, 19-25; lost to Lodi, 11-25, 25-23, 6-15; lost to Reedsburg, 14-25, 14-25; def. Markesan, 25-20, 27-25. Lodi: Def. Markesan, 25-19, 25-14; lost to Reedsburg, 14-25, 25-12, 7-15; def. Edgerton, 25-11, 23-25, 15-6; lost to Sauk Prairie, 14-25, 14-25; def. Darlington, 25-10, 25-20. Reedsburg: Def. Darlington, 25-18, 25-22; def. Lodi, 25-14, 12-25, 15-7; def. Edgerton, 25-14, 25-14; def. Markesan, 25-8, 25-11; def. Sauk Prairie, 25-21, 25-23. Sauk Prairie: Def. Edgerton, 25-19, 25-19; def. Markesan, 25-14, 26-24; def. Darlington, 25-13, 25-21; def. Lodi, 25-14, 25-14; lost to Reedsburg, 21-25, 23-25.