The Seneca Royals Volleyball team is heading back to the WIAA State Tournament after defeating Athens 3 sets to 1 in a D5 sectional final this past Saturday night at Mauston High School.
This will be the eighth appearance all-time at the state tournament for Seneca and its first trip since 2016 as the Royals seek their first state championship in volleyball.
Seneca also qualified for the state tournament in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1998. The 1981, 1982 and 1998 teams finished as state runner-ups behind Abbotsford all three times.
This team showed tremendous grit, determination and a refuse to lose attitude in their two sectional match-ups.
In the sectional semifinal match at Seneca last Thursday, Oct. 29, the Royals were tasked with a well balanced Highland Cardinals team. Seneca started strong from the service line and never looked back.
It was a very balanced night for the Royals on offense en route to a three-set sweep. Seneca was able to win set one 25-17. It was more back and forth in the second set but Seneca was able to pull ahead and win set two 25-21.
The Royals continued their strong offensive and defensive play while maintaining a never give up attitude as they wob the third set 25-17.
This was one of the most complete games Seneca has played this season. The Royals had different players step up with strong performances on the court during pivotal parts of the game.
As a team Seneca recorded seven aces on the night. Leading the offense was Anne Manning with 22 kills, followed by Violet Varo with eight kills and Lily Payne with six.
Addison Davidson played an outstanding game and logged 39 assists on the night. Seneca recorded 10 blocks in the match to keep Highland’s offense struggling most of the night.
Leading the defense was Emma Manning with 21 digs, Payne with 15 and Davidson and Grace Varo each logging nine digs.
This was an important win for Seneca as it showed the team how they can play with multiple offensive threats, which made things difficult for the Cardinals all night.
The win advanced Seneca to the sectional final in Mauston this past Saturday night to take on the Athens Fighting Blue Jays.
Seneca’s offense dominated in sets one and two with the girls working well together and as the Royals won the first two sets 25-16 and 25-17.
In the third set Seneca took a 16-9 lead but was unable to finish the game as Athens rallied for a 25-23 set win.
Seneca needed to dig deep and the fourth set was point for point before Seneca took the lead on a big block from A. Manning.
That is what Seneca needed as V. Varo put down the final game point for the win as the Royals earned a hard fought 25-23 set win and a 3-1 match win over the Fighting Blue Jays.
The win advances Seneca to the D5 state tournament starting this Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Seneca (31-1) earned the no. 4 seed in the D5 bracket and will take on no. 1 seed Turtle Lake (28-10) this Thursday at 9 a.m. The winner of this match will advance to the D5 state championship match at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 against the winner of the other D5 state semifinal match between Central Wisconsin Christian of Waupun and Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran.
The motto of one goal, one team, one dream has never felt more real for this team. They have worked all summer and fall to continue to improve. This is a fun time for these girls and us as coaches. Their determination, grit and team work has made this dream possible.
