By Derek Kiesow
Sports Correspondent
The undefeated Rock Valley North Champion East Troy High School Trojans took their talents to Edgerton to participate in the year-end RVC Volleyball Championships. The tournament seeds teams from both sides of the conference to allow for one undisputed champion at conclusion.
East Troy, North’s No. 1 seed, drew Parkview, the fourth seed from Rock Valley South to begin the day. The Trojans jumped out to a lead as soon as the first whistle blew.
Parkview used their first timeout early in the set down 6-1 but East Troy would continue to roll over the bottom dwelling RVC South team. Parkview, overmatched in every aspect of the game, had nothing that could hurt the powerful Trojans. Brittney Jakscht used a long serving stretch to close the first game 25-9.
The second set was more of the same as Senior Myranda Dallas was able set the tone with aggressive serving. East Troy jumped out to a 5-0 lead forcing Parkview to take another early timeout just a few points later down 10-3. The lopsided volleyball continued as the Trojans finished the set at 25-9 once again.
Semifinals
The win moved East Troy into the semifinals against the second seeded team from the RVC South, Brodhead. The Cardinals, a team that had potential to challenge the Trojans, played even volleyball ball with East Troy early.
A 3-3 tie suddenly swelled in favor of East Troy as Dallas pounded a kill from the middle. The East Troy fans erupted and East Troy rode the momentum to the end of the first set up 25-12.
In the second set East Troy’s middle tandem of Alyssa Scuric and Bryzena Santos showed up with huge blocks and strong swings. Brodhead could not answer the challenge as East Troy took the largest lead of the match up to that point.
The lead looked to be too much for Brodhead until East Troy’s sloppy play opened a slim window for the Cardinals. A key substitution for East Troy late placed Senior Kelsey Kiesow into the lineup. Her four kills and 1.000 hitting percentage in the final eight points slammed the door shut and sealed Brodhead’s fate 25-9.
Finals
Big Foot, Rock Valley South’s top team, would next play East Troy in the final. This highly anticipated match-up pitted both undefeated teams from each side of the Rock Valley.
The Trojan’s usual fast start was in full effect as East Troy jumped to a quick 9-3 lead, forcing Big Foot’s hand to call their first timeout. Out of the timeout M.E. Dodge put on a serving clinic, showing off her effective short service specialty. The short service strategy caused all kinds of fits for Big Foot as East Troy jumped all over the out of sorts Big Foot 25-7.
During changeover the Chiefs seemed to regroup after their shell-shocked first set performance. Katie Hodges got East Troy off to another explosive start with her perfectly placed serving. Her five-point run extended the Trojan’s lead to 8-2 early.
The lead grew as Big Foot tried anything to slow East Troy’s inspired play with no avail. A timeout at 18-9 did little for Big Foot’s chances as the Trojans continued to sprint towards the finish line. East Troy’s stellar defense, led by senior libero Mykie Olsen, caused Big Foot’s hitters to try for too much causing uncharacteristic errors down the stretch. The Black and Gold never let up until the match closed 25-16.
With the win East Troy picked up their fifth tournament championship of the season and moved their season record to 38-0.
M.E. Dodge led all Trojans with 19 kills as Brittney Jakscht and Mykie Olsen added 63 assists and 20 digs respectively. Alyssa Scuric and Bryzena Santos teamed up with four blocks each while Katie Hodges each added five aces.
East Troy now moves their attention to the WIAA playoffs that begin this week. East Troy, earning the No. 1 seed and the first round bye, are preparing to play their first match on Thursday, Oct. 24. They will play the winner of the Pewaukee/Shorewood match.
“We will need to be focused on what we need to be successful. If we continue to do the things that got us to this point, we will be a hard out for any team,” said head coach Jeremy Weis. “We have been well disciplined all year, and we don’t make many errors. We just need to continue to focus as a team.”
