Volleyball: Nietzer, Wild earn CWC-North’s highest honors

Gresham’s Cerveny, Bowler’s Pecore make first team
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

GRESHAM — The Gresham Community High School volleyball team posted a perfect record to win the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division this fall. The team was honored in a big way, with senior Karisa Nietzer being named the conference’s Player of the Year and Tim Wild being tabbed the Coach of the Year.

“It means a lot to me. I’ve worked so hard and long for that achievement,” said Nietzer. “I went into every game thinking that I need to play hard no matter what, because in the end it would pay off.”

“Winning Coach of the Year just shows how well this team worked on the court each night,” said Wild. “They deserve the credit because if they don’t go out and execute the gameplan each night, the coach doesn’t get recognition like this. I’m really proud of what they did this season, especially in conference, and hopefully they realize I received Coach of the Year because of them.”

Gresham earned its conference title in dominant fashion, only needing 21 sets to go 6-0.

Over those six matches, Nietzer led the team with 117 attack kills, 20 total blocks and 20 service aces. She also had 38 digs.

“I think the girls really helped me out. They played every game like it was their last, and they never gave up,” said Nietzer. “Sure, we had a hard time or two. But in the end, we were still family and wanted to play together.”

Gresham had three other players named to all-conference teams, with sophomore Valarie Cerveny making the first team and junior Makayla Belongia and sophomore Hannah Cerveny landing on the second team.

In conference play, Valarie Cerveny tallied 41 attack kills, the second most on the team.

“It was a great honor to be nominated and to be able to even receive the all-conference award,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to have this award if it wasn’t for the team working together.”

Belongia was third on the team with 31 attack kills in conference play. She also finished with 66 digs.

Hannah Cerveny was the team’s primary setter, finishing with 110 assists. She also had 32 digs and 11 aces.

After winning the conference title, Gresham won a Division 4 regional title before being eliminated in a sectional semifinal by Wabeno/Laona.

Bowler

Bowler had three seniors earn all-conference honors after the team won a pair of conference matches.

Kayla Pecore landed on the first team as a unanimous selection. Brooke Thiex made the second team, and Ireland DeRoos was an honorable mention.

Pecore led the team with 42 kills during conference play. She also had 31 digs and 37 service points.

“It means everything to me and maybe a little more that it is my senior year,” said Pecore. “Everything I worked for and the extra time I’ve put in paid off.”

Thiex did a little bit of everything for the Panthers, accumulating 70 assists, 30 kills, 16 digs and 66 service points in conference matches.

DeRoos finished with 27 kills, 12 digs, seven blocks and 45 service points.

Tigerton

Tigerton finished with one conference win but had three all-conference players.

Junior Savannah Swartz made the second team, while juniors Ladia Block and Adrienne Brady were honorable mentions.

During conference play, Swartz finished with 33 attack kills, 47 digs, nine aces and five block kills.

Swartz is hoping to use the award as a stepping stone for next season.

“Getting on second team will definitely help motivate me to push myself next year to keep playing hard and make improvements going into my senior year,” she said.

Block finished the conference season with 68 digs, 16 attack kills and a pair of block kills.

Brady tallied 45 assists and 38 digs as the team’s primary setter.

Marion

Marion was unable to capture a conference win, but the team had two seniors honored.

Mollie Schoen served as the Mustangs’ setter and landed on the honorable mention team.

Kyla Zillmer played several positions for the team, also being tabbed an honorable mention.

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