Heights spikers have solid day at own invite

Wisconsin Heights’ girls volleyball team went 2-3 at its own invitational last Saturday. Lake Mills defeated the Vanguards, 25-23, 25-21, to begin the day. Heights then posted a 25-22, 21-25, 15-6 win over Monticello. Heights followed with a 25-20, 25-17 win over Monroe, then dropped a 25-22, 25-20 decision to Cambridge. Waupun then toppled Heights, 25-23, 25-15, in the final match of the day. “We had a pretty good day at our home invite,” Heights coach Katie Doescher said. “We won two matches and the three we lost were close.  “We have to work on getting our offense stronger and more consistent, and we’ve got to continue to improve our defensive readiness and reading on the court. I think if we can improve those areas we will be able to convert more side outs and in turn win more matches.” Lauren Smith led the Vanguards with 14 kills, nine blocks and seven aces, while Sonja Severson had 10 kills and 30 digs. Lydia Crowe had eight kills and six aces, while Izzy Sutherland added nine kills and four blocks. Mia Blicharz had 19 assists, Haydan Louis added 11 assists and Maya Luko had 32 digs. Vanessa Wagner had 19 digs and seven aces, Ayla Schwarz had 11 aces and Lorelai Sutherland added eight aces. “Ayla Schwarz, Lorelai Sutherland and Vanessa Wagner provided our team with outstanding tough serving throughout the day,” Doescher said. “Maya Luko did an excellent job for us as libero and as a leader, and received a well-deserved nod from opposing coaches to the all-Tournament team.” New Glarus also defeated Heights, 21-25, 25-14, 25-8, 25-23 on Sept. 19. Smith led the Vanguards with six kills, three blocks and two aces, while Severson had six kills and six digs, and Addie Duhr had five kills. Louis had 10 assists, Luko had two aces and nine digs, and Wager had 12 digs and three aces. Schwarz added two aces and Blicharz had 10 assists. “We played an outstanding first set against Cambridge,” Doescher said. “The energy, intensity, focus, talk, taking care of the ball – everything was there and we just played our game at a high level.   “The second and third sets we struggled with some communication errors and strings of mistakes that took us out of our rhythm and allowed Cambridge to stay in control. We showed some determination and found our way back in the next set, but unfortunately we just couldn’t quite finish to force set five.”