State spot was in the Cards for MHS

Muskego - The spirit of St. Louis - the St. Louis Cardinals, that is - was felt in the Muskego High School gym on Nov. 3.

The Muskego boys volleyball team showed the same heart and never-say-die attitude of this year's Cardinals when they edged New Berlin, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-13, in a heart-pounding WIAA sectional championship match.

Just like the World Series champs, the Warriors came back from the brink of defeat and proved time and again that although they might be down, they were hardly out.

The Warriors trailed 8-4 in the deciding fifth game, seven points from defeat, but produced a stirring rally. They scored six straight points on the serve of Sammy Pedersen to take a 10-8 lead, then held on to win on a couple of kills from outside hitter David Mlachnik and a key block from middle AJ Pratt. When New Berlin put the ball into the net on the 28th point of the final game - and the 215th point of the match - the Warriors had the victory.

Another comeback win

It marked the second time this week that Muskego came back from a four-point deficit in a fifth game. Against Franklin on Nov. 1, the Warriors trailed by an even more intimidating 14-10 score but eventually prevailed 17-15.

"We always say, 'Why not?' " coach Joe Arbinger said. "We've kind of been coming back all year long in all of our games. Why not? These guys have incredible heart and desire to win, and it shows. Coming back today, putting together that run to take the lead in that fifth game after being down by four points, it's amazing.

"These guys then bounced to another level after that and were able to finish."

Outside hitter Joey Bandoszeski added, "Coach says it's our heart, and I think that's what it is. We always play great when we're down."

Mlachnik said the team attitude has a lot to do with the penchant for comebacks.

"It's our energy and our staying positive as a team, definitely," he said.

Muskego's reward for all this is its first-ever trip to the state tournament, which will take place next weekend at Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Warriors will take on Kaukauna at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in their opener.

Arbinger said the foundation for the state berth was laid a year ago.

"Last fall, on pretty much the same day, a lot of the core guys came up and said this (going to state) is what they wanted to do," the coach said. "All throughout (this season), talking with them, and in meetings, they said this is what they wanted. That was their goal from the very start.

"They knew they could do it if they all played together and played as a team. This is one of the most cohesive groups I've ever had in volleyball, and it shows. When they started coming back and winning games where they were down, or pulling out real close, tough matches, we knew we had a shot."

Fighting for state berth

To finally claim that elusive state berth, though, the Warriors had to outlast New Berlin in a thrilling back-and-forth duel.

In the first game, which featured eight ties, the Warriors trailed 23-21 before scoring the final four points on Mlachnik's serve. Mlachnik capped the run with a booming kill for the victory.

New Berlin led through most of the second game, as Nick Olson hammered down 11 kills and Matt Nieberle added a couple, including the final point. Michael Sugar helped out with a key kill and ace for the United late in the contest.

Game three, which featured back-to-back aces from Mlachnik and another by Bandoszeski, was tied 24-24 on a kill from Nieberle but Mlachnik came up with a kill to give Muskego the lead. New Berlin then slammed the ball into the net on an attempted kill to seal Muskego's 26-24 victory.

Back came the United in the fourth game as Olson added five more kills, including the game-winning point. John Collins served an ace and Austin Winkler had a couple of late kills for New Berlin.

That sent the match into the deciding fifth game, and Olson pounded four more kills as New Berlin took its 8-4 advantage.

Muskego was not done, though.

"We knew that if we pushed, we got our serves in and we put up blocks, we would come back," setter Tony Fugarino said. "Our hearts were in it, and a lot of passion."

The Warriors will now carry that passion to the state tournament, but Bandoszeski knows their work is far from done.

"We're at state now, but we've got to perform there," he said.

STATE SCHEDULE

WHAT: WIAA boys volleyball tournament

WHERE: Wisconsin Lutheran College

FRIDAY

5:30 P.M.: Germantown vs. Wauwatosa East and Catholic Memorial vs. Marquette

7:30 P.M.: Kaukauna vs. Muskego and Westosha Central vs. Racine Horlick

SATURDAY

NOON: Semifinals

5:30 P.M.: Championship match

NOTES: Kaukauna is making its 18th appearance at state and has won eight titles, but none since 1982 … Muskego lost to Horlick, three games to one, in Southeast Conference play this season … Germantown, like Muskego, is making its first visit to state … Marquette and Catholic Memorial have combined to win seven championships in the past 11 seasons