Bluejays fall short in regional final match

The No.3-seeded Three Lakes volleyball team opened postseason play in the regional semifinals last Thursday evening before fighting, and eventually falling, in the regional championship Saturday at No. 2-seeded Niagara. 

With a chip on their shoulder after a loss to No. 6-seeded Wausaukee in a previous tournament this season, the Bluejays used a team effort to cruise to a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-17, 25-13) of the Rangers to advance for a regional title opportunity. 

Wausaukee win 

The Bluejays got to Saturday’s regional final with how they performed a few nights prior.

Three Lakes picked up double-digit wins in two of the three sets, and everyone who took the floor made an impact on the victory, according to the coaching staff. 

In the opening set, the Bluejays took an 11-point win to gain early momentum. 

“The Bluejays’ entire team contributed to the win Thursday night,” said Head Coach Betsy Gruszynski. “On defense, all players contributed positive receives and digs, with the majority of both being provided by senior libero Ella Spears.” 

The ball was also spread around offensively, where seven different players recorded kills and six nonsetters collected a dozen assists in the victory. That stood out to Gruszynski the most over anything else. 

“Perhaps what is most impressive about the team effort was the out-of-system plays in which six nonsetters earned a total of 12 assists for the team,” she stated. 

Malia Szews (eight kills), Bella Kowalkowski (seven kills) and Avery Gutbrod (seven kills) all led the charge, while Lily Gleason had five kills. 

Setter Kailyn Fogerty had an impressive outing defensively and also added 18 assists to her credit. 

With momentum on their side, the Bluejays entered Saturday with the task of defeating No. 2-seeded Niagara, a team that won its conference with a 15-1 record. 

Three Lakes fell in straight sets, 18-25, 21-25 and 15-25. 

The Bluejays finished the season with a 12-19 (8-4) record, which was good for third place in the Northern Lakes Conference behind Laona-Wabeno and Florence.