The Bonduel High School volleyball team made short work of No. 5 Crivitz in a WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal game Thursday in Bonduel.
The top-seeded Bears beat No. 5 Crivitz in three games, rarely trailing along the way, and will host No. 3 Oconto, which upset No. 2 Wabeno/Laona 3-1, in the regional final Saturday in Bonduel.
Not bad for a difficult week for the team, the school and the community.
Still in mourning after a Tuesday night car crash claimed the lives of three area students, including BHS sophomore Paige Brunette, the volleyball team hoped to express their grief in a positive way.
The entire team — six of whom learned of the crash during a scouting trip to Coleman on Tuesday — wore blue hairbows that had “Paige” and “Crew 22” written on them. Down the middle was a red and white strip, the colors of Shawano Community High School, and the first initials of two SCHS students (Cody Borsche and Tyler Welch) who also died in the accident and a third (Ryan Swadner) who is in critical condition.
Crivitz players presented the team with yellow roses to express their condolences, and a moment of silence was held before the match.
“There was a lot of letting them talk it out and talk about how they were feeling,” Bonduel coach Kim Bodoh said. “I really tried to keep practice light and positive, keep them pumped up. But I really think the teachers, the community, the administration, even Crivitz, that nice gesture … it just helped the girls with the healing process.
“This is just such a positive way for them to start to move on and heal from the tragedy that they’re dealing with this week.”
The girls came up with the idea for the bows this week and made them themselves.
Bonduel (18-12) set a tone early once the match got started. Jen Dowden, Bonduel’s senior 6-foot middle hitter, scored the first two points on block kills.
“I think our height was an advantage,” Bodoh said. “It seemed like if Crivitz could get its offense going, it really got them going. I told my girls we really need to shut them down with our defense right away.”
Dowden would finish the match with eight block kills and eight attack kills.
“Eight blocks in a three-game match is phenomenal,” Bodoh said.
Hayley Pues, a 5-10 junior middle hitter, added seven kills.
“When they can pass the ball well, and attack consistently, they sweep the floor with teams,” Bodoh said. “Then when they get into tipping more, they struggle. We just encouraged them to attack every ball that is up in the air.”
Bonduel won the first game 25-15 and took the second 25-18. Crivitz (5-6-1) built a 17-13 lead in the third game, but Bonduel rallied to tie it at 18. Tied at 20-20, Bonduel scored the last five points to complete the sweep.
Bonduel junior setter Miranda Schmidt had 19 assists and 12 digs.
Outside hitter Victoria Neuman led Crivitz with nine kills and 14 aces. Rachel Nelson had 10 digs. Jenifer Kempka had 19 assists.
The Bears lost in the regional final at Coleman last season. Getting a chance to host the game will be a big advantage this year, Bodoh said.
“I think home court advantage, especially with this group of girls, is huge,” Bodoh said. “Not only do they not have to get on the bus and take a long ride somewhere, their aunts, uncles, cousins and parents are here, the student body, the pep band playing. It really becomes a community event.”
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