NOTE: Each week, the sports editors of swews4u.com; A.J. Gates (Grant County Herald Independent), Jason Nihles (Platteville Journal), Tom "Gunner" Gunnell (Republican Journal) and Erik Olson (The Richland Observer) will combine to nominate our "Prep Performers of the Week" in volleyball, cross country, boys soccer, girls swimming and girls golf. If don't agree with our rankings or you feel we missed a standout performance, feel free to post a comment and plead your case.
PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK (Sept. 27- Oct. 4)
VOLLEYBALL
Saige Bierman, (Cassville, sr.) - who was involved in a horrible accident where she fell 50 feet into a rock quarry in the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 23, somehow found the strength to be on Cassville's bench for a game on Monday, Oct. 3 cheering on her team against Benton. That shows unparalleled commitment and dedication to her team. We think that’s more impressive than any performance on the court.
Andrea Duncan, defensive specialist (Lancaster, sr.) – had 17 digs in a sweep over Dodgeville last Tuesday and 32 digs in a 3-2 win over River Valley on Thursday as the league-leading Arrows (22-8, 7-1 SWC) inched closer to a share of a second straight Southwest Wisconsin Conference title.
Emily Hill, setter (Potosi, sr.) - had 27 assists and three service aces in a 3-0 sweep over Benton on Thursday and 27 assists in a 3-1 win over Belmont on Monday as the Chieftains (13-5, 8-0 Six Rivers West) remained unbeaten in league play with just two Six Rivers West Conference matches remaining (at Highland Oct. 11, at River Ridge Oct. 18).
Laura Steiner, middle hitter (Darlington, sr.) – had 12 kills, seven blocks and four aces in the Redbirds' sweep over Boscobel on Tuesday, Sept. 27. It was the first victory by sweep for Darlington since 2006.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Tyson Miehe (Darlington, so.) - was at it again, setting a new course record and a personal-best time of 15:39 at Saturday’s Dick McKichan Platteville Cross Country Invitational. The Redbirds' sophomore finished first individually among a loaded field to lead the Redbirds to a first-place finish in the Small School Division at the meet.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Molly Hanson (Dodgeville, sr.) – led the Dodge-Point girls to a first-place finish in the large schools division of Saturday’s Dick McKichan Platteville Invitational with a second-place finish of 14:44. Hanson was beaten only by Platteville’s Tricia Serres, who set a new course-and-event-record with a time of 14:14. A few days later Hanson led the Dodgers to victories over host Platteville and Lancaster in a SWC triple dual this past Tuesday.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Melanie Schaefer (Platteville, fr.) – won the 200-meter freestyle, swam on all three Platteville/Lancaster relays and helped the Hillmen 200-meter freestyle relay set a new metric team record as Platteville/Lancaster (5-3, 3-1 Southern Lakes) split a conference triple dual at Elkhorn last Tuesday.
GIRLS GOLF
Ashley Adams and Ella Marcue (Lancaster) - half of the Flying Arrows' team advanced to sectionals with their individual efforts at the WIAA Lancaster Regional.
Shelby Poss (Darlington/Cuba City, sr.) - had the best round for an area individual golfer after carding a 90 to finish seventh overall and guide the Lady Redbirds to a third-place finish at the Lancaster Regional to earn a sectional team berth.
