The two-time defending WIAA Division 2 state champs are in the Division 1 bracket this season
By Jeff Kurowski | On Mission
APPLETON — The path is different this season, but expectations for success have not changed for the Xavier High School girls’ volleyball team.
The back-to-back WIAA Division 2 state champions will open regionals at home on Thursday, Oct. 24, versus Ashwaubenon in Division 1. Xavier was moved up based on the WIAA’s competitive balance initiative. Xavier girls’ tennis and girls’ cross country also moved up to Division 1 this fall.
With some programs moving up one division based on a performance point system over a three-year period, “The reality is we essentially earned it,” said Luke Herriges, head volleyball coach and athletic director. “It’s easy to look at it in a negative light because it’s harder. That’s our situation, so we have to go tackle it.”
“The team is driven and hungry,” he added. “They have some high goals that we talk about every day. It’s not necessarily about achieving the goal. It’s who we become along the path. If we’re playing our best at the end of the year, win or lose, we need to be proud of that.”
The Hawks enter the postseason as a number four seed with a 24-15 record. Xavier won the Bay Conference title with a 7-0 mark.
“It’s definitely a good feeling,” said senior outside hitter Madison Daley about the team’s accomplishments to this point. “I think a lot of people thought that we wouldn’t be as good. I feel like our team has really showed up. It’s Xavier volleyball.”
Six members of the 2023 state championship team graduated — five starters and “a great role player and presence,” said Herriges.
“(This season) started off with getting the feel of what they think they’re capable of and inserting ourselves as coaches along the way to help to solidify or clear up that vision,” said Herriges, who’s in his ninth season as head coach. “When we graduated six, we still had six who were on the team, who were part of these runs, practicing every day, competing at the events and waiting for their turn, so to speak.”
Missing from the six expected varsity returners is Annika Kowalski, a Marquette University recruit. She suffered a knee injury playing on a club team in the summer.
“I knew as a team, without Annika, that we would have to be willing to take on new roles and do it for each other,” said senior outside hitter Ali Tylinski. “We had to reestablish our culture. Last season, we basically had the same team as the year before. This year, we had to overcome more adversity.”
“We’re a lot younger,” said Herriges. “We have the five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. It’s a good group. We worked on our competitiveness and coming together.”
The entire team was together for senior night on Oct. 15. Kowalski stepped on the court one more time in a Hawks uniform for one serve against New London. She was then subbed out.
Her teammates said they are thankful for her support throughout the season.
“We’ve missed her as a player because she’s simply incredible,” said junior setter Sydney Neilitz. “She also helped our chemistry. Annika was always able to calm us down. I think she’s done a great job supporting us, letting us know what shots are open. Having her expertise has helped us.”
“I’ve played with her since sixth grade,” said Daley, who was with Kowalski when she was injured. “She’s definitely one of my support systems when I need it. Sometimes, she will take over the huddle and coach us up.”
Xavier doesn’t name team captains, which Herriges said allows all players to take on leadership.
Daley said that this year’s seniors have followed the example of their predecessors to be the “moms of the group,” adding that “everyone on our team has a role of leading in some way, which is really important.”
A constant in the program is prayer before each match.
“I feel as though our team is very faithful and we lean a lot on God,” said Neilitz. “Before we step on the court, we take a couple minutes to get in the circle. We always talk about what we would like to see on the court, what we want to put out there, to play with freedom or to have more energy (for example). Maybe it’s something specific in our heart, that we want to play the game for something or somebody. We always conclude with our Hail Mary. It puts us in a good mindset for the game.”
Even though the Hawks are new to Division 1 for the postseason, the team played some of the best teams in Division 1 and 2 throughout the season, said Herriges.
As examples, he points to the Asics Challenge, a national tournament held Oct. 4-5 at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, and the Oct. 12 tournament at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee.
Opponents are aware of Xavier’s state championships, he added.
“We’ve had the target on our back,” said Herriges. “It battle tests us because we know we’re getting everyone’s best. The kids focus on the things that will get them the wins. When we keep our eyes on the process, the wins will come.”
“I was excited. Embrace the challenge. You shouldn’t be afraid of it,” said Tylinski about moving up a division. “I think we can compete no matter what division we’re in. Now we’re competing against Appleton North, Kimberly, Neenah, these schools that are close by and we have friends at. It’s a fun challenge.”
Update: The Xavier girls’ volleyball team was defeated by Kimberly 25-11, 25-20, 25-21 in the to the Division 1 sectionals.