Campus Connection

UW-L Men’s and Women’s Club Volleyball teams took first and second place, respectively, at the Division II National Championship April 9-11 in Kansas City. It was the men’s team third national victory in five years. The women’s team had their highest place ever at the national championship since they became a club sport. The men’s team was undefeated throughout the entire tournament. They played the championship game against Sonoma State and won two of the three matches (25-22, 19-25, 16-14). The women’s was also undefeated at the championship until the championship game against Butler where they lost two of the three matches (25-19, 20-25, 11-15). “Being able to compete in the national championship was a thrilling feeling,” says team member Mary Katie McCarthy. McCarthy describes her team as an “amazing group of athletes” who are committed. The final game was a “hard fought battle,” she adds. “Even though we lost, I am very proud of the accomplishment my team and I made. This has been our goal all season to compete in that final match and accomplishing that goal was amazing.” In the last five years, the men’s team has placed 1st, 1st, 3rd, 2nd and 1st at the national event.

All-American honors and MVP:

• The following players from the women’s team received All-American honors: Katie McCarthy, Laura Neubert, Kali Priest, and Holly Vogelsang.
• The following players from the men’s team received All-American honors Alex Bartelme, Eric Heyrman, Nick Korom, and Beau Rath also received All-American honors.
• John Jablonowski was named the tournament MVP for the second time in four years.

Women’s Club Volleyball results:

Teams played: Yale (25-12, 25-16), New Hamspire (25-19, 25-14), Gonzaga (17-25, 27-25, 18-16), American (25-17, 25-15), Bellamine (25-12, 25-11), Xavier (25-20, 23-25, 15-6), UM-Duluth (23-25, 25-9, 15-12). Individual Awards: Laura Neubert and Mary Katie McCarthy All-American First Team, Honorable Mention Holly Vogelsang and Kali Priest Team Roster: Jessica Adamowicz, Ashley Block, Brianna Buth, Shelby Griffths, Madeline Hagar, Breanna Nedden, Laura Neubert, Natalie Patton, Kali Priest, Kellie Shaw, Allyson Thompson, Holly Vogelsang.

Men's Club Volleyball results:

Teams played: Azusa Pacific (25-16, 25-15), Augustana C (25-19, 25-18), SUNY-Brockport (25-15, 25-14) Creighton (25-18, 20-25, 15-10), St. Louis (25-17, 21-25, 15-11), U Maryland (25-22, 25-22), UW-Platteville (25-22, 20-25, 15-13), Messiah C (25-21, 25-20) Individual Awards: Tournament MVP: John Jablonowski, First Team: Alex Bartel, Eric Heyrman, Nick Korom, and Beau Rath Team Roster: Alex Bartelme, Jacob Boehm, Sam Browning, Eric Heymen, John Jablonowski, Nick Korom, Griffin Kotarek, Christian Nilsen, Lucas Rappette, Beau Rath.