The Crusaders delivered a National Championship appearance in an edge of your seat 3-1 victory over #2 seed Lincoln Christian.
Set one was a dogfight until two Laci Peterson (Chillicothe, Ill.) blocks led to a 10-7 lead. Another emphatic block by Pam Borchardt (Watertown, Wis.) and Lauren Schulz, (Lake Mills, Wis.) and an error led to a timeout by Lincoln. They never recovered as Marsnatha won 25-15.
The Red Lions adjusted to the Crusaders’ game by gaining a 17-8 lead in the second set. Maranatha struggled with finding any rhythm leading to a 25-12 loss.
Marnatha scratched and crawled their way to a crucial game three 25-20 win. Both teams battled until Maranatha broke free with a 17-14 lead before clinching the win.
The Crusaders jumped out to a 12-4 lead thanks in large part to power hitting by Peterson. The Crusaders never looked back in clinching the Regional Championship with a 25-13 win.
AWARDS:
Midwest Region All-Tournament Team: Freshman setter Emily Thompson (Watertown, Wis.) and junior hitter Torey DeLozier (Watertown, Wis.).
Midwest Region All-Region Team: Junior libero Hallie Nelson (Rockford Ill.), sophomore blocker Laci Peterson (Chillicothe, Ill.), and hitter Torey DeLozier.
Midwest Region Freshman of the Year: Pam Borchardt (Watertown, Wis.)
Midwest Region Libero of the Year: Hallie Nelson
Midwest Region Player of the Year: Torey DeLozier