WIAC: Whitewater steamrolls to title

Heads up, regional opponents. UW-Whitewater is primed for a run, if the WIAC Tournament is any indication. We’ll find out Monday morning whether the Warhawks will be on display in Oshkosh, St. Louis or Holland, Mich. Wherever it may be, this team may be the favorite.

Whitewater swept UW-Eau Claire today to win the title and the WIAC automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The win was convincing enough for the WIAC commissioner to unbox the trophy when Whitewater was up 10-5 in Set 3.

Warhawk setter Alyse Karls was outstanding in leading an offense with so many talented hitters who have a grab bag of shots. With Karls at the controls, Whitewater had a crisp, quick attack. Combine that with Whitewater’s net D and the points came in bunches.

The championship match will be televised (on tape-delay, of course) on FSWisconsin, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

UW Oshkosh eked out a five-set win (16-14 in Set 5) over UW-Platteville to take third place behind yet another great performance by libero Christina Cahoon on D and Andrea Smith and Jacque Ray on O. Setter Morgan Liebetrau ended the match when her on-2 push fell near the 10-foot line.

Also today, the WIAC honored Oshkosh’s Jacque Ray with the Player of the Year award. Oshkosh’s Brian Schaefer was named Coach of the Year and UW-La Crosse’s Brianne Stankus took home the Scholar-Athlete award.

-Ricky Nelson