Eagles drop playoff opener at Peshtigo

The Northland Pines girls volleyball team fell in the opening round of the WIAA volleyball playoffs last week as tournament play got going.

The No.12-seeded Eagles fell in straight sets, 25-19, 25-12 and 25-21, at No. 5-seeded Peshtigo in their D3 regional quarterfinal matchup.

“I’m very proud of these girls. They worked their tails off this season,” said Pines head coach Julie Smith. “We played decently in the first set, but started out cold in the second set before Peshtigo eventually got the sweep.”

Smith said that Peshtigo had two outside hitters that were able to overpower Pines’ defense.

“They had two strong attackers, and our block was not matching up against them,” Smith said.

Smith cited a few players, like Maggie Reppert, Aleena Ryan and Kami Neff, who stood out with their performances during the playoff defeat.

Also, junior captain Bella Nowak was recognized league-wide after recently receiving second-team honors in the Great Northern Conference. 

She was the fourth-leading setter in the league and led the Eagles with 215 assists. 

“I fought for Bella for first team because I wanted the other coaches to understand she is a first-team setter,” noted Smith. “She got two first team and four second team votes for eight points, second highest on the second team. 

The Eagles finished the season with a 9-21 record and were 0-12 in the GNC. 

“You would think after a season like this they might say, ‘thank God it’s over’ but after that last match there were so many tears and hugs and love that came out. I was crying the next morning,” Smith said. 

Pines will lose five seniors to graduation this year: Matanna DePuydt, Kyli Gwyn, Reppert, Ryan, and Autumn Stecker.

Among this year’s juniors expected to return next season are Ryyn Darr, Maria Krueger, Mykala Felesena, Nowak, and Brianna Sullivan. 

Coach Smith is also high on this year’s sophomores, with most or all expected to return next season. 

She said Tatum Fisher will be a dynamic attacker who will be joined by Natalie Kohn, Ryley Darra and Neff, who each saw increased playing time and much improvement during the season.

Eden Smith and Sophia Kusick also saw playing time this season and led a group of seven freshmen expected back.

Assistant coaches for the Northland Pines volleyball team this season were Kassidy Doebler, Daleigh Neveaux and Maleea Eggleston.

Smith says she is already planning to return as head coach next season.