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MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U CO-GAME OF THE WEEK (Prep Volleyball): Lodi Invitational
Cubans sting Hornets for Lodi Invitational title
Cuba City volleyball
The Cuba City volleyball team defeated Richland Center in the championship game of last Saturday's Lodi Invitational to cap a perfect 5–0 day.

MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM CO-GAME OF THE WEEK (Sept. 28–Oct. 5)
VOLLEYBALL: Lodi Invitational

By Tom Gunnell, Tri County Press / Republican Journal

Hornets go a perfect 5–0 and win all 10 sets to win own six-team Richland Center Invitational.

LODI — Cuba City captured the title at the Lodi Volleyball Invitational by defeating Richland Center, two sets to one, in the championship match at LHS on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The Cubans posted a 5-0 record on the day to improve their season mark to 20-7 overall.

Coach Keri Lawson’s squad rolled through pool play with sweeps over the host Blue Devils, 25-15, 25-19, and the Belleville Wildcats, 25-16, 25-11, and a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Catholic Central, 22-25, 25-14, 15-8.

The Cubans met up with 2021 Division 4 state runner-up Wabeno/Laona in the semifinal round and were able to advance on thanks to another 2-1 decision. After grabbing a 1-0 lead with a 25-11 in set one, the Cubans dropped set two to the Rebels (17-11), 13-25, to force a decisive third set.

The Cubans came out on top in the nip-and-tuck affair by garnering a 17-15 decision to defeat the Rebels on their way to the finals.

Cuba City had to go the distance once again in the finale. After splitting the first two sets with the Hornets (25-9), 25-11, 23-25, Coach Lawson’s Cubans locked down the tournament crown with a 15-9 win.

Setter Ella McKinley conducted the Cubans’ offensive attack throughout the day, distributing 86 assists and also serving up five aces.

Ella Vosberg led the team at the net with 30 kills, while Lainey Runde tallied a team-best 11 blocks.

Alexis Runde chipped in with a team-high 52 digs and five aces for the champions.

At Cuba City, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, the host Cubans went to 6-2 in SWAL play with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-8, 25-23) sweep over the Boscobel Bulldogs.

Ella Vosberg provided 12 kills, 11 digs and three aces in the win, while Olivia Olson chipped in with 10 kills, 15 digs and two aces for the Cubans. Ella McKinley handed out 22 assists in the sweep. Lainey Runde led the team with four blocks, and Monica Schmidt served up two aces.

Cuba City has a key SWAL match at league-leading Mineral Point on Thursday, Oct. 6, and then returns home to host Iowa-Grant on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

 

LODI INVITATIONAL
Championship– Cuba City def. Richland Center, 2-1 (25-15, 23-25, 15-9). Semifinals– Cuba City def. Wabeno/Laona, 2-1 (25-11, 13-25, 17-15). Pool Play– Cuba City def. Lodi, 2-0 (25-15, 25-19); Cuba City def. Catholic Central, 2-1 (22-25, 25-14, 15-8); Cuba City def. Belleville, 2-0 (25-16, 25-11).
Cuba City Leaders– Kills: Ella Vosberg 30. Blocks: Lainey Runde 11. Aces: Ella McKinley 5, Alexis Runde 5. Assists: McKinley 86. Digs: A. Runde 52. 
At Lodi, on Saturday, Oct. 1