East Troy No. 1 seed for regionals
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Heading into Saturday’s Rock Valley Conference Tournament, the East Troy High School girls volleyball team was in solid position to bring home the title.
And that’s just what the Trojans did – in dominating fashion once again.
East Troy, the defending Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 state champions, rolled to three two-set victories to put the finishing touches on an unblemished RVC season.
The Trojans, who improved to 30-7 overall, swept Evansville 25-12, 25-13; McFarland 25-21, 25-9; and Jefferson 25-9, 25-14.
East Troy didn’t lose a set in conference play this year.
“We played at a high level for most of the tournament,” East Troy coach Jeremy Weis said. “We are always pleased when we come out of anywhere with a victory.
“(This) gives us three tournament championships in a row. That’s always special.”
Leading the way in the win over Evansville were M.E. Dodge with 14 kills and seven digs; Katrina Santos with seven kills;’ Katie Hodges with four aces and six digs; Carly Atchison with five digs; and Chloe Jakscht with 15 assists.
In the victory over McFarland, leaders included Dodge with 13 kills and 10 digs; Santos with eight kills and six digs; Jakscht with five kills, two blocks and 14 assists; Atchison with six digs; Jenna Hodges with nine assists and three aces; and Katie Hodges with three aces.
The match with McFarland, namely the first set, had some moments when the Spartans hung with the Trojans, Weis said.
“We were pushed a bit against McFarland,” Weis said. “We checked out a bit mentally, and that caused for some unforced errors. The team really picked us up.”
Dodge had a team-high 13 kills and five digs in the victory over Jefferson, followed by Santos with five kills; Jakscht with five aces and 13 assists; Natalie Bearce with four aces; Jenna Hodges with six assists; Atchison with seven digs; and Katie Hodges with five digs.
Weis was pleased with Jakscht’s effort all tournament from the setter position.
“Chloe played well again this tournament,” Weis said. “She has come a long way this year. She has done a real nice job the setting (position). The longer the year goes, the more confidence she is playing with.”
Title defense begins
East Troy received the top regional seed and a first-round bye in the tournament. The Trojans will host either fourth-seeded Cudahy or fifth-seeded Elkhorn in the second round Thursday night.
The winner advances to a regional final Saturday night at site to be determined.
East Troy begins its playoff run ranked second in Division 2 behind only Catholic Memorial – and the two schools appear to be on a collision course toward a sectional semifinal at Catholic Memorial next Thursday night.
But first things first, Weis said.
“The key (in the tournament) is to be consistent,” he said. “This group of girls has played in some big matches in their lives. In the biggest of matches, that should allow them to remain calm and then be able to make the plays that they have made all year long.”
Everything the Trojans have done to this point has been with the upcoming tournament run in mind, Weis added.
“This is what they have been working toward,” he said. “I know that they are super excited.”
