Back-to-back: Panthers claim another regional title, defeat Hillsboro 3–1

The Royall volleyball team revels in its victory over Hillsboro following the final point of the match Saturday night. The Panthers improve to 5–1 all-time against Hillsboro in regional championships. (Nate Beier photo | gx3media.smugmug.com)

Emma Herek reaches for a pass during the second game of Saturday’s regional final match against Hillsboro. (Nate Beier photo | gx3media.smugmug.com)

The Royall volleyball team hoists its WIAA Division 4 regional championship plaque after defeating Hillsboro 3–1 on Saturday night. (Nate Beier photo | gx3media.smugmug.com)

Paige Hyer directs a ball around the Hillsboro double block in the fourth set of the regional final. Hyer finished with 30 kills in the match. (Nate Beier photo | gx3media.smugmug.com)

Kasey Coppernoll leads the Royall student section on a roller coaster cheer during a timeout. (Nate Beier photo | gx3media.smugmug.com)

By NATE BEIER | For the County Line

The Royall volleyball team fought off a balanced offense and relentless defense from rival Hillsboro in Saturday’s WIAA Division 4 regional final to claim its second straight regional title and keep alive its dreams of advancing to the state tournament.

The parking lots were packed and the gym was full with two loyal fan bases as the fourth-ranked Panthers took to the court against the eighth-ranked Tigers.

Though Royall took an early lead, Hillsboro bounced back in the first game, and the Panthers fell 25–19. In the second game, the Panthers had a 24–23 resurgence after giving up a lead, but Hillsboro successfully navigated its way to a 26–24 win.

The momentum carried over into the third set, at which Hillsboro surged early in the game, taking a commanding 8–3 lead. But Royall didn’t fold. The Panthers strung together a series of points, and within a very short time, found themselves on top again and in control of the game. The Panthers forged ahead for a25–19 win and took a 2–1 match lead.

With the end in sight, Royall picked up the pace a bit in the fourth set, nearly taking a double-digit lead against the Tigers. The Panthers set up match point with an extended volley, but gave up the next two points, allowing Hillsboro to cut the deficit 24–17. Kenzie Baeseman ended Hillsboro’s hopes with a kill out of the middle, granting Royall the 3–1 win.

Royall’s Paige Hyer talked about the emotions on the court as her team continued to pour in on in the fourth set. “When it was 20–14, us, every time we would get a kill, everyone would go insane. You could see the veins sticking out of people’s necks; they were so excited.”

Hyer, who led all hitters with 30 kills on the night, continued, “Winning this regional title last year and this year against the same team is great in itself, but the school spirit that comes along with it is really important because it brings everyone in the school together, and it’s so much more fun when everyone’s going crazy and cheering — it just gets you jacked.”

Hyer also had 13 assists and 11 digs in the win. Baesemen finished the game with 33 assists, 16 kills, 11 digs, three blocks and two serving aces. Also, Emma Herek added two kills, while Allyson Stanek and Claire Herek each added one. Kelsey Vieth led the team in digs with 19.

Hillsboro’s Mackenzie Sullivan led the Tigers with 14 kills. Sydney Johnson added 12; and Tasha Mitchell, 11. The libero, Brittany Borchardt, had 31 digs

Hyer went on to say that claiming another regional win was fun, but was quick to point out the team’s change of focus heading into sectionals this year.

“I think we’re going to dig deeper than we did last year. Last year, we were just kind of like, ‘Oh my gosh, we won regionals.’ I had that feeling at the beginning when we won tonight, but now I know we have to work harder.”

The Panthers will have to work harder if they hope to get back to a sectional final for a potential rematch against Southwestern on Saturday, Oct. 31. However, Royall will be tested by Augusta on Thursday at La Crosse Logan in a Division 4 sectional semifinal. The Beavers finished third in the Dairyland Conference behind Cochrane-Fountain City and Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran and feature a senior-heavy lineup that can control the game from the front row.

Southwest Wisconsin Activities League champion, Southwestern, will face the Six Rivers champ, River Ridge, on Thursday at North Crawford.

“Everyone’s pretty serious about it at this point, and they’re really focused and we want it.”

Royall enters sectional play with a mark of 31–5.

For updated results, visit wiaawi.org for complete tournament brackets.

Royall 3, New Lisbon 0

Royall defeated New Lisbon 3–0 (25–11, 25–17 and 25–11) behind a 31-kill performance by Paige Hyer in the regional semifinal. Hyer finished with a kill percentage of 51.7. Kenzie Baeseman tallied 29 assists, and Allyson Stanek led the team in kills (14).

Larissa Pedersen led New Lisbon with five kills.

The win marks the first time Royall has tallied at least 30 wins in a season.

Royall 3, Weston 0

The Panthers set a new school record for wins with a 3–0 (25–8, 25–5, 25–12), decision over Weston in the regional quarterfinal match.

Hyer led the team with 15 kills, plus Baeseman had five; Stanek, three; and Claire Herek, two. Stanek led the team with four serving aces and four digs.

Arcadia 3, Brookwood 0

The Brookwood volleyball team ended its season with a 3–0 (25–16, 25–18 and 25–18) loss at Arcadia Division 3 play during the first round of the WIAA tournament.

The Falcons opened on a hot streak, but the host Raiders rebounded and overtook the visitors midway through the first set and remained in control the rest of the night.

Around the SBC

In Division 4 action, Wonewoc-Center was defeated by New Lisbon 3–0 in the first round. Cashton bumped off La Farge 3–0, and Hillsboro held on for a 3–2 win against Bangor. The Tigers rebounded with a 3–1 win against Cashton in a regional semifinal.

In Division 3, Necedah was knocked off by top-seeded Spencer 3–0.

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