MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Sept. 8–15)
VOLLEYBALL: Cuba City reclaims Waterloo Weiner & Kraut Invitational title
By Casey Lindecrantz, Tri-County Press

Russell, Knights boot Golden Eagles in double overtime
WATERLOO — Cuba City spent another week atop an invitational championship bracket following a 4-0 performance at the Weiner & Kraut Invitational at Waterloo on Sept. 12.

“We had a great day finishing 4-0 overall and 8-1 in sets at a tournament filled with some high-caliber talent — another accomplishment for this team,” Cuban head coach Keri Lawson said. “We competed with confidence, battled from behind, and continued to find ways to make plays when we needed them. More importantly, we showed great team chemistry and belief in one another.”

The girls in black and gold battled out a 3-set thriller to open the invitational, beating Monona Grove (7-10), 25-20, 18-25, 15-12, before closing out pool play undefeated thanks to a 2-0 win over Green Bay NEW Lutheran (10-5), 25-15, 25-21. Cuba City continued straight set wins through the gold bracket semifinals against Lake Country Lutheran (11-6), 25-11, 25-19, and in the championship match against hosting-Waterloo (11-3), 25-18, 25-20.

Emersyn Niles was the only Cuban atop two stat categories thanks to 70 assists and four aces. She co-led the latter stat line alongside Audrey Schauff. Maya Misky’s 35 kills were a team-best, as well as Brooke Terpstra’s 27 digs. Gianna Timmerman was a force at the net as she secured four blocks.

“Our conditioning has been a big part of being able to outlast teams over the past three weeks,” Lawson said. “Walking away with undefeated records and championships in back-to-back tournaments puts a unique spin on where we want to go as a team. I’m proud of the way we competed and represented our program.”

Cuba City had another confidence-building win following a 3-0 home sweep of Iowa–Grant (1-2, 1-2) two days prior, 25-9, 25-12, 25-15.

“After the five set loss the previous week to Galena, the team set the expectation that winning at home is a must,” Lawson said. “We put Iowa–Grant on its heels at the first whistle. Even though we didn’t serve error-free, the Panthers struggled to get into system, and when they did, our side of the net covered the court with efficiency.”

Meg Kuepers and Terpstra co-led the Cubans with seven kills, while a pair of aces were earned by the duo as well as Misky. Defensive efforts were paced by Mable Droessler (3 blocks), as well as Terpstra and Emma Johll at four blocks apiece. Assisting the team was primarily Niles at 24, who also recently earned her 1,000th-assist.

“The highlight was Emersyn’s 1000th-assist milestone,” Lawson said. “Those moments bring the best out of our team and the fans. It was a total team effort with our game changers, a.k.a. subs, coming in and winning some long rallies. Kylie Schuchart had some great saves that led to winning some long rallies. Even with the one-sided victory, we remain focused on putting in the work to be ready for teams that will challenge us point-to-point. And those teams are closer than we may realize.”

Cuba City halts weekend invitationals, but hosts a pair of conference matchups. It first faced off agaisnt Riverdale (10-6, 2-0) on Sept. 15, before remaining home to host Fennimore (19-5, 2-0) two nights later.

#5-Cuba City 3, Iowa–Grant 0

(from Thursday, Sept. 10 @ Cuba City)

Iowa–Grant.....9 12 15

Cuba City.......25 25 25

Cuba City stat leaders

Kills: Meg Kuepers 7, Brooke Terpstra 7. Aces: Kuepers 2, Terpstra 2, Maya Misky 2. Blocks: Mable Droessler 3. Digs: Terpstra 4, Emma Johll 4. Assists: Emersyn Niles 24.

Weiner & Kraut Invitational

(from Saturday, Sept. 12 @ Waterloo)

Cuba City scores

Pool Play (2-0)

Cuba City def. Monona Grove: 25-20, 18-25, 15-12

Cuba City def. Green Bay NEW Lutheran 25-15, 25-21

Gold Bracket Semifinal

Cuba City def. Lake Country Lutheran: 25-11, 25-19

Gold Bracket Championship

Cuba City def. Waterloo: 25-18, 25-20

Cuba City stat leaders

Kills: Misky 35. Aces: Niles 4, Audrey Schauff 4. Blocks: Gianna Timmerman 4. Digs: Terpstra 27. Assists: Niles 70.“We felt all week that we