Sports

Whippets Claim Regional Volleyball Title, Await Sectional Pairings

Article by Kathy Bullis
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
kbullis@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

The Whitewater Whippet Volleyball team became Regional Champs on Saturday, April 10th. In the Regional Semi-Finals the Whippets took care of Jefferson when they defeated the Eagles 3-0 by the scores of 25-8, 25-8, and 25-17.

Senior Cora Linos collected her 2,000th assist early in the match. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to take a time out so the team could celebrate her hitting this milestone. Cora will go down in the Whippet record books as one of the all-time best setters the program has ever had.

After the win, the Whippets went to a large group room in the high school to refuel, rehydrate, and watch the second regional final between Big Foot and Fort Atkinson. Fort defeated Big Foot 3 games straight also.

In the third match of the day, Whitewater battled a very strong Fort Atkinson team for the Regional Title. The games were very close, but ultimately it came down to serving and defense. Whitewater’s sophomore defensive specialist Cali Kopecky came up big in both those areas for the Whippets. She served 100% on 17 attempts and had 2 serving aces. Cali had 7 crucial digs during the match. Her growth this season has been amazing and is a huge part of the team’s success.

Whitewater is awaiting the results of other regional matches to see who they will play and when. Whitewater does know they will travel to Oshkosh West on Tuesday, April 13, to play in the Sectional Semi-Final. The Sectional Final will also be played that night. (Playoff Bracket)

I would like to send a heartfelt Thank You to all the fans who were able to attend the game and to all who watched the live stream. The support is greatly appreciated.

Jefferson Highlights

Fort Atkinson Highlights

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Suggests Quinn Meinerz as Second-round Pick for Steelers

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, in their article, “Steelers mock draft tracker: Let’s talk Round 2, shall we?,” suggests that the Steelers should consider UW-W’s Quinn Meinerz for a second-round pick in the NFL draft, taking place April 29-May 1. They say, “Perhaps the greatest riser out of anyone throughout the draft process, Quinn Meinerz has certified himself as a top-five center at the very least. In fact, it is possible Meinerz could go as high as the second center off the board…..”

Click here to see the complete article.

No. 16 UW-Whitewater Earns WIAC Sweep

Game 1 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/bb14.htm

Game 2 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/bb15.htm

The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team recorded 32 hits in two games Friday in back-to-back wins over UW-Oshkosh in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.

The Warhawks (13-2 overall, 7-1 WIAC) posted a 15-0 victory in seven innings in the opener before defeating the Titans 8-5 in Game 2.

In Game 1, UW-Whitewater mashed 18 hits, and eight of the team’s nine starting batters tallied two or more hits. UW-W broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with six runs, and added four more in the sixth.

Donovan Brandl tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout, striking out eight to improve to 2-1 on the season. He also contributed with two hits, two runs scored and one run batted in at the plate.

Right fielder Jacob DeMeyer and first baseman Taylor White tallied two hits and three RBIs apiece to pace the offense. Third baseman Tucker Criswell recorded two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs, and pinch hitter Ian Drays collected a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.

Centerfielder Zach Campbell scored a team-high three runs and added one walk and a pair of hits. Second baseman Sam Vomhof, left fielder Matt Korman and catcher Ryan Norton added two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, the Warhawks turned a 5-2 deficit into a three-run lead with six runs in the bottom of the seventh. After consecutive singles by Norton and second baseman Bryan Sturdevant to start the inning, Brandl plated two with an RBI single through the right side. DeMeyer tied the contest with a two-out hit to center, and Vomhof’s two-run triple gave UW-W the lead for good. Korman added another run-scoring hit to cap the rally.

Connor Moroder improved to 3-0, pitching four shutout innings in relief of starter Connor Spear. Moroder allowed only one hit and two walks, stranding a pair of runners in the top of the ninth to seal the victory.

UW-Oshkosh (6-8, 4-4) hit four home runs in the game, including two in the top of the fifth and one in the sixth to take a three-run advantage.

Brandl, DeMeyer, Vomhof and shortstop Nick Santoro registered two hits apiece. DeMeyer and Santor each scored two runs, and Vomhof knocked in three runs. Sturdevant finished 3-for-3 at the plate before he was pinch run for in the seventh.

The Warhawks play two more games against the Titans Saturday in Oshkosh. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.

Whippets Host 6-Team RVC Cross Country Meet

Article by Chad Carstens, Photos by Bob Mischka
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

Six RVC Cross Country Teams competed at Whitewater High School on Tuesday, April 7.

Trenten Zahn finished 4th out of 53 boys, and Sophie Walton placed 9th out of 36 girls.

  • Sophie Walton
  • Trenten Zahn

Both teams were able to earn a third place finish which was encouraging knowing the talent level of the RVC.

The kids did a nice job grinding through a hot day after racing just five days ago.

Boys’ 5K Results
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NqmaCDUpfYiCOij_E57A5ACbG6p4o-nv/view?usp=sharing

Girls’ 5K Results
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nq8jUgkUPBTZ0nc-SEnLintHmiPrFOyj/view?usp=sharing

Whippet Volleyball Celebrates Undefeated Conference Championship, Prepares to Host Regionals

Article and Photos by Kathy Bullis
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
kbullis@wwusd.org

Senior Captains

The Whippet Volleyball Team finished the RVC season going undefeated with a record of 9-0 overall. Tuesday night, Whitewater defeated Clinton 3 games straight by the scores of 25-12, 25-9, 25-11. After the match, the Whippets arrived back in Whitewater to a surprise celebration! They received RVC Championship t-shirts, caps, cupcakes, Grandma J’s Oreo Balls, and an RVC Championship Trophy presented to the team by Athletic Director Justin Crandall.

The Whippets celebrated Tuesday evening but will wake up Wednesday morning with their eyes on a regional Championship! Whitewater earned the #1 seed in the region and will host Saturday, April 10th. At 1:00 pm, Whitewater will play the fourth seed Jefferson. At 3:00, Fort Atkinson will take on Big Foot.  5:00 will be the regional Championship between the winners of the 1:00 and 3:00 matches.

Whippet Tennis Downs Columbus

Photo and Comments Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Whitewater hosted Columbus in tennis on Monday, April 5, and won, 4-3. The Whippets swept the four singles matches and Columbus swept the 3 doubles matches. Pictured is the Whippet #1 singles player, freshman Emilia Houwers, who defeated Alyson Theilen 6-0, 6-2.

Emilia Houwers

No. 16 Warhawks Take Two at UW-Oshkosh

Box Score, Game 1: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/11.htm

Box Score, Game 2: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/12.htm

The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team completed its four-game Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference road swing Tuesday afternoon, April 6, with a pair of wins at UW-Oshkosh.

The Warhawks (11-2 overall, 5-1 WIAC) took the first game of the doubleheader 6-5 in 11 innings, and finished the twin bill with a 9-5 triumph in Game 2.

The opener went into extra innings thanks to a late rally by the Titans (6-6, 4-2), who scored three times in the bottom of the eighth and once in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 5-5.

Pitcher Connor Moroder left the bases loaded in both the ninth and 10th innings to push the game to the 11th, when shortstop Nick Santoro singled home right fielder Jacob DeMeyer, who doubled down the left field line with two outs.

Moroder (2-0) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the frame to secure the win.

Santoro collected two hits, one run scored and two runs batted in, while third baseman Sam Vomhof finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs. First baseman Donovan Brandl and catcher Ryan Norton each registered two hits, and Norton added one walk, one run scored and one RBI.

Starting pitcher Westin Muir struck out nine batters and allowed only one run over six innings. Muir, Ben Muscatello and Moroder combined to strand 14 base runners.

In Game 2, UW-Whitewater tallied three runs in the top of the first on an inside-the-park home run by Santoro and never trailed in the contest.

Pitcher Matt O’Sullivan improved to 4-0, surrendering two runs over seven innings with seven strikeouts. Kade Lancour pitched the eighth, and Brandl pitched around a two-out hit for a scoreless ninth.

DeMeyer reached base four times and totaled two hits, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. Brandl and left fielder Matt Korman also plated runs for the Warhawks, who turned three double plays and didn’t commit an error in the game.

UW-Whitewater hosts UW-Oshkosh this Friday at 1 p.m. for a WIAC doubleheader at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.

Whippets Fall to Jefferson on the Gridiron

Photos and comments courtesy of Bob and Peter Mischka.

The Jefferson Eagles football team took down the Whitewater Whippets on Thursday, April 1, 43-0. This was the second loss for the Whippets in the new Alternate Fall season after losing to Evansville in the opener. Next up is a game at East Troy on April 9.

  • Brock Grosinske
  • Dylan DuClos

No. 16 UW-Whitewater Baseball Splits at UW-La Crosse

Game 1 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/uwl9.htm

Game 2 Box Score: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/baseball/2021/uwl10.htm

The No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team collected 21 hits Friday on its way to a 19-2 victory in seven innings at UW-La Crosse in the nightcap of a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader in La Crosse, Wis.

The Warhawks (9-2 overall, 3-1 WIAC) were defeated 5-2 in the first game of the day.

UW-Whitewater erupted early in Game 2 with nine runs in the top of the first inning and added one more in the second, five in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in the sixth for a run-rule shortened win.

Pitcher Connor Spear picked up his first win of the year, allowing no hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings of work. Ben Muscatello struck out the side in the sixth, and Jim Jarecki pitched the seventh.

Second baseman Bryan Sturdevant and left fielder Jacob DeMeyer paced the offense with four hits apiece. Sturdevant scored three runs and batted in two, while DeMeyer posted one double, one home run, one stolen base, two runs scored and four runs batted in.

Designated hitter Matt Korman also plated four runs and added two hits, including one double, and two runs scored, and centerfielder Zach Campbell registered three hits, including two doubles, to go along with three runs scored, one stolen base and three RBIs.

Shortstop Nick Santoro recorded three hits, including one double, to go with one walk and three runs scored. First baseman Donovan Brandl finished 2-for-3 with one double, two walks, three runs scored and one RBI, and third baseman David Rubin smashed a solo home run in his lone at-bat.

In the opener, the Warhawks out-hit the Eagles 10-9, but left 10 runners on base and committed three errors in the field.

UW-La Crosse (6-4, 1-3) took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth and added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings.

UW-Whitewater’s last good chance to tie the game or take the lead came in the top of the seventh. After loading the bases with nobody out, the Warhawks were retired in order.

Third baseman Ben Wilkins reached base twice, including on a two-run single in the top of the fourth that gave UW-W a 2-1 lead.

Brandl totaled three hits, and second baseman Sam Vomhof recorded two.

Brandl dropped to 1-1 on the season with the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings while striking out five. Kade Lancour tossed the final 2 1/3 frames, allowing one run.

The Warhawks resume action Tuesday with a conference doubleheader at UW-Oshkosh. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.