The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team played their season opener against the Cambridge Bluejays on Tuesday night, November 15, at home.

The Whippets got off to a slow start on offense, but got a spark on defense forcing some turnovers and closing the scoring gap to within 1 point with just over 5 minutes left in the first half, trailing by one, 13-14. 

Cambridge then got their spark, outscoring the Whippets 0-7 in the last 2 and a half minutes of the first half, putting them in the lead, 13-21. 

In the second half, the Whippets offense picked up, scoring nearly even with Cambridge with 23 to their 25 points. The final score was a loss for the Whippets, 36-48. 

Defensively, the Whippets forced 29 turnovers overall, including 3 ten-second violations in the backcourt. 

Statistical leaders included Kindyl Kilar with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Cali Kopecky shot 50% from the field with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal. Zoe Kohl added 5 points and 2 steals. 

The Whippets will travel to McFarland Friday for their first conference matchup.

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka 

Editor’s note: The following announcement is from the UW-W Women’s Basketball page.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior forward Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) reached the 1,000-point milestone as the Warhawks topped Millikin University 79-69 Saturday evening in the team’s final game of the UW-Whitewater Tipoff Tournament.

Grundahl became the 18^th player in program history to record 1,000 career points. She hit the mark on a jumper with just over six minutes left in the contest. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the four-game tournament. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) was voted the UW-Whitewater Tipoff Tournament MVP. 

The Warhawks came out on fire hitting 64-percent of their shots in the first quarter but the Big Blue hung in. After an even first quarter, 21-21, the Warhawks broke out in the second. UWW outscored the Big Blue 25-13 in the second to take a 46-34 lead into halftime.

Millikin outscored UWW 15-13 after a third quarter but the Warhawks had ample cushion to seal the win.

UW-Whitewater took advantage of their 19 offensive rebounds outscoring Millikin 22-12 in second chance points. The Warhawks enjoyed a 10-rebound advantage on the glass in the game.

UWW shot 46-percent from the floor and 47-percent from long range in the game. Both teams dropped in 12 free throws.

Grundahl paced the Warhawks with 25 points on 10-15 from the floor adding six boards, three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Renee Rittmeyer (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) and Lunden Alexander (Dolton, Ill./Thornwood) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 and 10 respectively.

Whippet Volleyball Senior Kindyl Kilar was selected by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association (WVCA) as a First Team All-State selection. Kindyl played a 6 rotation outside for the Whippets and ended her career as a Whippet on top of the leaderboard.

Kindyl was selected as the RVC first team All-Conference, AVCA Best and Brightest First Team, Team Offensive Player of the Year, Team Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Team MVP and Captain, and now 1st team all-state.

Kindyl averaged 6.3 kills per set, with 564 kills this season, which placed her number one in the Whippet record book, and number one in Division 2 for the state. Her season stats include .322 hitting percentage, 62 Aces (99.2%, 1 error), 25 total Blocks, and 314 Digs.

Even more impressive are her career stats, which she accomplished in only 2 ½ years. Her time as a Whippet was shortened due to a knee surgery her freshman year, and a shortened COVID year playing only in the Spring her sophomore year. Career stats include; 1172 Kills (1st in school history), 147 Aces (4th in school history), 50 blocks, 727 Digs (5th in school history).

Kindyl will be signing her National Letter of Intent to play at Florida International University (FIU) on November 30th.

Coach Kilar commented, “Kindyl was a great leader for this Whippet Program. Her presence will be missed, but we know she left her teammates with an example of what it means to be a team leader that will not soon be forgotten. Kindyl is a special player, and FIU is getting a great one!”

Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
Action Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka