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Southwestern takes the title at Six Rivers Jamboree
SWWildcats HighlandTourn
The Southwestern High School volleyball team swept the Six Rivers Conference Volleyball Jamboree in Highland on Saturday, Aug. 29. They defeated Benton, Argyle, Highland and Dodgeville for the championship. Pictured from front left are: Callista Brogley, Statistician Jada Wills, Claire Splinter, Melissa Tranel, Jenna Stienstra, Brooke Kunkel; second row: manager Madelyn Funk, Amber Brand, Rachael Myers, Allison Kruser, Madison Kuhl, Brittney Kruser, Hanna Hinman; back row: head coach Jane Wills, Taylor Fleege, Michelle Budden, Miranda Kemp, Rachel Mueller, Katie Fritz, Kalli Craugh and assistant coach Abby Wills. Missing from the photo is assistant coach Jenny Berning. - photo by Submitted Photo

HIGHLAND – The Southwestern varsity volleyball team asserted its dominance at last Saturday’s Six Rivers Volleyball Jamboree tournament held at Highland High School.

In four matches on Saturday, the Wildcats swept all four opponents in two straight sets, downing Benton, Argyle, Highland and then Dodgeville in the championship match.

Southwestern had little trouble with the Zephyrs, winning by scores of 25-23 and 25-13.

The Wildcats then swept Argyle by scores of 25-7 and 25-11 in pool play before matching up with the host Cardinals in the semifinals.

Highland posed little challenge to coach Jane Wills’ squad, as the Wildcats cruised with scores of 25-15 and 25-16.
In the championship match, Southwestern outlasted the Dodgers, wining in two straight sets of 25-20 and 25-18.

“To start pool play, we had a slow start with a combination of too many serves and first-game jitter,” said Wildcat coach Jane Wills.

“Once we settled down, we looked more like the team that we are working to be,” Wills added. “We had a good serving day with 21 aces, and it was a complete team effort with every member of our varsity squad getting to see court time.”

Leading the Wildcats with 57 total kills was Michelle Budden, while Miranda Kemp added 17 and Amber Brand eight
Madison Kuhl dished out a team-high 78 assists to go along with three service aces, while Brand had five aces and Kemp four.

Budden also had a team-high seven blocks, while Kemp had five.

Defensively for the Wildcats, Claire Splinter had a team-high 23 digs, while Melissa Tranel and Budden each had 16.