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MCDONALD'S GAME OF THE WEEK (SRW volleyball): Shullsburg 3, River Ridge 2
Klotz, Shullsburg top River Ridge in five, ending 27-match losing streak to T'Wolves
Layla Alt
Senior Layla Alt had 12 kills, 14 digs and one ace in Shullsburg five-set victory at River Ridge last Tuesday night. - photo by photo by Tom Gunnell

MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Sept. 30–Oct. 7)
SIX RIVERS WEST VOLLEYBALL: Shullsburg 3, River Ridge 2

PATCH GROVE — Shullsburg's senior class was in kindergarten the last time a Miner team defeated River Ridge on a volleyball court.

Those seniors made sure that the drought came to an end at Patch Grove on Tuesday, Sept. 29, leading the Lady Miners (7-1 in SRW) to a thrilling 3-2 decision to snap a 27-match losing streak against the host Timberwolves () and earn a share of the Six Rivers West lead.

Senior middle hitter Kayla Klotz powered the Miners at the net by registering a career-high 32 kills and 14 blocks in the five-set victory. Senior outside hitter Anna Wiegel tallied 12 kills and 16 digs, senior setter Layla Alt distributed 20 assists and added 11 kills-many in the final two sets- and senior libero Brooklyn Strang recorded a team-high 26 digs and three aces for the Miners, who had not beaten the T'Wolves in a match since Sept. 23, 2008, and also snapped a 17-match losing streak at River Ridge dating back to the 2006 season.

"It feels great for myself and our girls to finally get a win against River Ridge. I have to give credit to Coach Langmeier for the success of her program throughout the years. It's always been tough to play them, and it was certainly tough on Tuesday night," said Shullsburg head coach Hannah Pick, who earned her first victory over the T'Wolves in her nine seasons at SHS. "Our team was ecstatic about this win

River Ridge grabbed the early momentum with a 25-15 win in set one, but the Miners bounced right back with a 25-17 win in set two to even the match at 1-1. That victory was the first for Shullsburg in the last 28 sets against the T'Wolves dating back to a match on Oct. 6, 2016.

The Wolves went back ahead with a 25-18 decision in set three, and then opened up an 11-8 lead in set four before the Miners mounted their comeback.

After an ace by Strang tied the score at 17-17, the Miners poured it on for there and eventually locked down a 25-21 win on a kill by Klotz to deadlock the match at 2-2.

The Miners rode their momentum in the decisive fifth set, grabbing a quick 4-1 lead and extended it out to 12-5 before putting the match away with a 15-10 decision.

"We did not play well overall on Tuesday night. Towards the end of set four and all of set five, the girls finally started to play their game! Klotz and Alt showed up in a big way for set five," noted Pick.

Freshman setter Elsie Ennis dished out 15 assists to aid the Miners' victory.

Kendall Esser led the T'Wolves with 13 kills. Sadie Crubel added 11 kills and 20 digs, and Samantha Stagman handed out 20 assists in the match.

The two teams met again at Shullsburg on Tuesday, with the Miners taking over sole possession of first-place in the SRW with a 25–18, 14–25, 25–15, 25–17 win.