By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
The Royall volleyball team lost to Catholic Central in the final round of play at the annual Richland Center tournament on Saturday, Sept. 2. The Panthers finished 3–2 at the tournament after claiming second place in their division.
The Panthers entered the tournament at 2–5 after their 2–5 performance at Wisconsin Dells’ Friendship tournament Aug. 25–26.
The opened round of play at Richland Center included a 2–0 win against Brookwood, and then a narrow 2–1 loss to Reedsburg. The final pool play match of the day cameagainst Barneveld, and once again, the Panthers needed some extra time to set up the win, finishing with a 2–1 victory.
The tournament play pitted the Panthers against Darlington in the first round. After Royall defeated the Redbirds 2–0, the team took on Catholic Central, which resulted in a 2–0 loss in the final round of the day
McKenzie Baeseman leads the team with 159 kills on the season. Baeseman also leads her team defensively with 12 solo blocks and has the second most digs on the season (53).
Emma Gruen leads the team in assists (151), while Baeseman has 72 of her own. Also, Savannah DeWitt leads the team in digs with 76.
Wisconsin Dells tourney (Aug. 25–26)
Royall knocked out Hustisford 2–0 in the first round of play in Wisconsin Dells, but then succumbed to the might of its opponents the rest of the tournament. Pewaukee, Kettle Moraine, Holmen, Lake Mills, and Antigo all succeeded in sweeping Royall in two sets, but Prairie du Chien couldn’t keep the trend going, losing 2–0.
The Panthers will host Necedah on Thursday as conference play continues and will travel to Bangor on Tuesday.