Saturday, October 24th needs to be remembered as a special day in the history of Viroqua volleyball history.
For the first time in over a quarter century, the Blackhawks became WIAA regional volleyball champions after sweeping Fennimore in three straight sets.
The significance of the moment wasn't lost on the home team one bit heading into Saturday's tilt.
"We knew this would be the last game on our home floor no matter what," said Viroqua head coach Katie Schwarz, "so we just wanted to go out and make tonight memorable."
Viroqua did just that in front of a robust home crowd. The Blackhawks pummeled the visiting Golden Eagles - which had played in a Division 4 sectional final just a year ago - in set one, winning 25-9. Fennimore tried to find its footing in game two, but were held to just 17 points. In the third, FHS had the advantage for most of the contest, but Viroqua rode its home court energy to a 25-23 win to secure the program's fourth-ever regional title.
"We knew that our energy is one of our secret weapons," said Schwarz. "This gym is like no other gym that we play in our conference or anywhere that we've seen. It's so electrifying in here."
Schwarz admitted there was special attention to maintaining energy and focus in the third set Saturday night. In Thursday's regional semifinal match with Darlington, Viroqua lost its bid for a sweep by virtue of a third set defeat. The Redbirds pinned a 25-18 win on their side before succumbing in the fourth 25-21.
"That third set was one of the things we were kind of focused on," said Schwarz. "That's what happened last time is that third set, our energy starts to dip a little. It's emotionally and mentally really fatiguing sometimes to play that high, but I thought our girls - they stuck those heels in and finished the game."
Freshman Maddie Schwarz led all attackers with 23 kills in Saturday's win. Megan Brendel added nine, but also posted a team-best 16 digs. Reece Hooks ended with 36 assists.
The victory ends a 27-year sectional drought. Viroqua last won a regional title in 1999. Before that, the Blackhawks managed to capture sectional berths just two other times - 1985 and 1986.
"All week we were like 'oh, it'd be just wonderful to win,'" said senior setter Reece Hooks. "We put in the work tonight and came out on the court, like right away, and I think we really proved ourselves in how far we've come this year; it's just a big deal."
SECTIONALS
Viroqua advances to play at River Valley on Thursday, October 29. River Valley finished as the runner-up in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference behind Platteville. The Blackhawks enter Thursday's match with a record of 29-6 while the VHS Blackhawks are 31-5.
