Marshfield has three selections to 2018 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Volleyball Team

By Paul Lecker
For focusonmarshfield.com

Marshfield landed one player on the second team and two more earned honorable mention on the 2018 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Volleyball Team, which was voted on by the seven conference coaches following the season.

Senior hitter Karly Nikolai earned second-team status for the Tigers, who finished 4-8 and in fourth place in the WVC.

Nikolai topped Marshfield with 138 kills, which was third in conference, and 298 overall for the season. Her attack percentage of 0.194 was 10th in the league. She was also second on the team with 50 blocks.

“Karly Nikolai has been a versatile player for us throughout her career, and this year was no different,” Marshfield coach Dawn Sadowska said. “Karly played both middle and outside hitter, depending on where we felt she would be most effective against each opponent. We will miss her explosiveness and quickness in the front row next year. Karly was a dedicated captain for us both in season, as well as out of season.”

Junior outside hitter Lindsey Steffen and junior libero Kaydee Johnson were honorable mention picks for the Tigers.

Steffen finished seventh in the conference in kills with 95 and was second on the team with 28 service aces during conference play. Overall, Steffen led the team with 62 aces, and was second in kills (196) and digs (342).

“Lindsey Steffen is a six-rotation player who excelled in both the front row and the back row this season,” Sadowska said. “Lindsey is fun to coach because she has such a positive attitude and visibly enjoys being with her teammates and playing volleyball.”

Johnson was second in the Valley in digs per game with 5.23 and second overall in digs with 225, while also leading the Tigers in serve percentage at 92.1 percent. She finished with a team-high 535 digs overall this season.

“Kaydee Johnson is a super athlete who works hard every day both on the court and in the weight room,” Sadowska said. “As a captain, she leads by example, expecting her teammates to follow her intensity and work ethic. We look forward to having her defense back again next season.”

Conference champion Stevens Point had three first-team selections, including unanimous picks Kayla Lass and Gabby Johnson, as well as libero Megan Miklesh.

Merrill senior Megan Schroeder, and Wausau West’s seniors Paige Brandenburg and Skylar Rickstad were also unanimous first-team picks. Merrill senior libero Kelsie Belfiori and Wausau East outside hitter Taylor Pagel rounded out the first team.

2018 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Volleyball Team
First team (*unanimous selection): *Megan Schroder, sr., outside hitter, Merrill; *Kayla Lass, sr., outside hitter, Stevens Point; *Gabby Johnson, sr., middle blocker, Stevens Point; *Paige Brandenburg, sr., outside hitter, Wausau West; *Skylar Rickstad, sr., libero, Wausau West; Kelsie Belfiori, sr., libero, Merrill; Megan Miklesh, sr., libero, Stevens Point; Taylor Pagel, jr., outside hitter, Wausau East.
Second team: Kaylee Bowe, sr., middle hitter, Merrill; Maisie Gelhar, jr., outside hitter/defensive specialist, D.C. Everest; Karly Nikolai, sr., outside/middle hitter, Marshfield; Ashley Schrank, sr., setter, Stevens Point; Tess Hauer, sr., middle blocker, Wausau West; Robyn Kirsch, so., outside hitter, Wausau West.
Honorable mention: McKenna Berdal, jr., outside hitter/defensive specialist, D.C. Everest; Kaydee Johnson, jr., libero, Marshfield; Lindsey Steffen, jr., outside hitter, Marshfield; Elizabeth iribarren, sr., right side hitter, Merrill; Rylee Mrachek, sr., right side hitter, Merrill; Allysa Deates,sr., right side hitter, Stevens Point; Maddy Dokken, jr., middle blocker, Stevens Point; Olivia Ogstad, sr., setter, Wausau East; Grace Stimac, jr., middle hitter, Wausau East; Kirsten Bachand, sr., setter/hitter, Wausau West; Grace Michalske, so., setter, Wausau West; Kayla Huglen, sr., right hitter, Wisconsin Rapids; Maddie Paitel, sr., setter, Wisconsin Rapids; Alison Hepp, sr., libero/defensive specialist, Wisconsin Rapids.

Paul Lecker is publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com and a contributor to focusonmarshfield.com.