MAZOMANIE — Iowa–Grant pushed top-seeded Wisconsin Heights to the limits in game one of Saturday’s WIAA Division 3 regional final.
The Vanguards fought off three game points and rallied for a 31–29 victory in the opener that set the tone for the rest of the match.
Heights ultimately prevailed in straight sets, 31–29, 25–18, 25–12, to win the regional title.
The Vanguards (27–8) advanced to face SWAL champion Cuba City (29–6–3) in a sectional semifinal match at New Glarus High School Thursday at 7 p.m.
Coach Marla Simon’s Panthers finished the season 21–10 overall after going 6–6 and finishing fourth in the Southwestern Wisconsin Activities League.
“I was very happy to see we went to play and think that is shown by the 31–29 battle in the first set,” said Simon. “We were keeping things clean and passing and serving well, they were making some hitting errors. Maranda McCarthy and Taylor Liddicoat were leading us with their kills. Kristin Bingham got us to a 23–19 score with her serve and then from there they tied us again.
“We had three more chances to serve for set, but they came out on top with that. We battled really well with them most of the match, with what we could do against their big hits and quick offense.”
Senior Macenzie Kraemer had 12 kills to lead Wisconsin Heights.
McCarthy had six kills to lead Iowa–Grant, and senior Mariah Ginter added five kills and six blocks. Liddicoat finished with 24 assists and four kills.
Iowa–Grant opened the D3 playoffs last Tuesday with an easy 25–13, 25–14, 25–16 sweep of Lancaster (4–31).
Thursday night, junior Emma Liddicoat had 16 kills, 17 digs and three aces to lead the Panthers to a 25–17, 27–29, 24–26, 25–15, 15–4 victory over third-seeded Riverdale (11–18).
WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal
Iowa–Grant 3, Lancaster 0
(from Tuesday, Oct. 20 @ Livingston)
Lancaster 13 14 16
Iowa–Grant 25 25 25
Iowa–Grant stat leaders
Kills: Emma Liddicoat 7, Jessica Pluemer 5, Mariah Ginter 5. Blocks: Ginter 6, Pluemer 3. Aces: Taylor Liddicoat 5, Maranda McCarthy 3. Assists: Taylor Liddicoat 28. Digs: Haley Yelinek 7, E. Liddiocat 6.
WIAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal
Iowa–Grant 3, Riverdale 2
(from Thursday, Oct. 22 @ Livingston)
Riverdale 17 29 26 15 4
Iowa–Grant 25 27 24 25 15
Iowa–Grant stat leaders
Kills: Emma Liddicoat 15, Taylor Liddicoat 9, Maranda McCarthy 9, Jessica Pluemer 8, Mariah Ginter 7, Kristin Bingham 6. Blocks: T. Liddicoat 9, Ginter 7, Pluemer 7. Aces: E. Liddicoat 3, Pluemer 3. Assists: T. Liddicoat 56. Digs: Haley Yelinek 18, E. Liddicoat 17.
WIAA Division 3 Regional Final
Wisconsin Heights 3, Iowa–Grant 0
(from Saturday, Oct. 24 @ Mazomanie)
Iowa–Grant 29 18 12
Wisconsin Heights 31 25 25
Iowa–Grant stat leaders
Kills: Maranda McCarthy 6, Mariah Ginter 5, Emma Liddicoat 4, Jessica Pluemer 4, Taylor Liddicoat 4. Blocks: Ginter 6, Pluemer 5. Aces: T. Liddicoat 1, McCarthy 1. Assists: T. Liddicoat 24. Digs: Haley Yelinek 5, E. Liddicoat 5.
