Westosha Central sweeps Union Grove
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Westosha Central High School’s boys volleyball team picked up where they left off in Southern Lakes Conference play this week.
After a 3-0 start and a week layoff from conference competition, the Falcons came back to play Monday, when they defeated host Racine St. Catherine’s 3-1 and added a sweep Thursday against visiting Union Grove to stay unbeaten at 5-0.
The Falcons, who improved to 15-7 overall, received well-rounded performances by hitter Drake Muhlenbeck and team captain Connor Muff.
Entering Thursday’s contest, Muhlenbeck states the team had a mission to stay together as a team, which won 25-18, 24-15, 25-20.
“My game plan going in was to play as a team and I think we did that,” said Muhlenbeck, who contributed a team-leading 19 kills along with eight digs.
But, according to Muhlenbeck, Muff’s ability to set the tone was crucial in Thursday’s defeat of the Broncos.
Muff, a junior, contributed 32 assists and pitched in defensively, reinforcing the front row with three blocks and diving for five digs.
“As an underclassmen, (Connor) has a huge responsibility,” Muhlenbeck said. “He is handling it well and he has done a fantastic job setting up for us.”
Contributors were not limited to Muhlenbeck and Muff, however, with junior Mason Welter chipping in three blocks along with five kills.
Alex Salerno, a sophomore, added six kills while Jack Polick had six digs.
Adding two aces apiece were Brett Niederer and Parker Krumm.
While the Falcons stay unbeaten in SLC play, Muhlenbeck did not envision this scenario entering the season, but believes the team has put in the work to make it a reality.
“We have been working hard all season in practice and it is showing on the court,” he said.