Witt-Birn volleyball team expects to contend for CWC-Large title

Chargers return three all-conference players
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

WITTENBERG — The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School girls volleyball team marches into the season with high aspirations.

The Chargers do so with experience on their side, with all but two players back from last year’s team that went 12-28 overall and took third in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division.

“We lost two great seniors last year but have many key players returning,” said Witt-Birn coach Becky Rew. “We were a young squad last year and have learned many things from the up-and-down season. We have a strong group of girls with a lot of experience, so I expect us to be a contender for the conference title and do well in many of the tournaments that we have on our schedule.”

Back from last year’s starting lineup are seniors Elizabeth Muscha (libero), Marissa Groshek (outside hitter), Kaitlyn Clark (middle) and Madison Schwalbach (right) and juniors McKenna Metropulos (setter) and Emma Herb (middle).

Groshek was a first team all-conference pick last fall. She is ready to give the game all she has in her final high school season.

“I think it will change my mindset a lot because the past three years I have always said, ‘You know we will come back next year and be better.’ But this season, I can’t say that for myself, and it really makes me want to win that much more and show what we can do,” said Groshek.

Muscha and Metropulos were also all-conference picks, each landing on the second team.

“This year, for our team to be successful we need to be committed and do everything we can to better ourselves and our team as a whole,” said Muscha.

Nicole Kielman (defensive specialist) and Abi Fraaza (middle) will also serve as impact players for Witt-Birn. Kielman is headed into her senior season, while Fraaza looks to get back in the swing of things as a junior after missing all of last season with an injury.

After competing in the CWC-Large, which coach Rew believes will include several strong teams, Witt-Birn will compete in Division 3 for postseason play.

The Chargers will scrimmage at Wabeno High School on Saturday before opening the season at an invitational at Stevens Point Area Senior High on Aug. 27.

The team’s first home match won’t be until Sept. 19 against Bonduel. Witt-Birn’s senior night is Oct. 8 against Weyauwega-Fremont.

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