FORT ATKINSON - The rally Brodhead volleyball coach Eric Ebensperger witnessed dropped him to his knees here Saturday night.
After the Cardinals lost their first game, 25-11, they rallied to win the next three from Madison Edgewood, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, and earned a WIAA Division 2 sectional title and their first berth in the girls state volleyball tournament.
"It was a little nerve-racking after that first game," Ebensperger said after picking himself off the floor as Ashley Ring's spike for Edgewood went long to give Brodhead the 3-1 win.
"We have a tough team, and they responded really, really well. This is best teamwork I have ever seen out of us. They did wonderful."
Kristen Ruchti led the Cardinals with 14 kills and three aces. Courtney Mielke added eight kills, while Cassie Wymer had 27 assists.
"We weren't going to give up," Ruchti said of the comeback victory. "We weren't going to let them beat us."
In all four games, power-hitting Edgewood took control early, only to let Brodhead back in the game with key unforced errors, and the Cardinals (37-5) took advantage late.
In the final match, Edgewood led 21-20 before Ruchti tied the score with an ace. After an Edgewood blast went out of bounds, Mielke followed with a kill for 23-21 Brodhead lead.
After Edgewood closed to 23-22, Mielke added another kill for 24-22 lead. Edgewood regrouped after an Ashley Ring spike, but her next attempt went long, sending Ebensperger to his knees.
"I don't think we've seen anybody this talented," Ebensperger said of Edgewood. "So, its pretty exciting the way we came back after that first game. All the girls had a great night.'
Next stop: Green Bay, as the Cardinals take part in the state tournament at the Resch Center. They play Waukesha Memorial in a semifinal match at 4 p.m. Friday.
"This is so amazing," Ruchti said.
After the Cardinals lost their first game, 25-11, they rallied to win the next three from Madison Edgewood, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, and earned a WIAA Division 2 sectional title and their first berth in the girls state volleyball tournament.
"It was a little nerve-racking after that first game," Ebensperger said after picking himself off the floor as Ashley Ring's spike for Edgewood went long to give Brodhead the 3-1 win.
"We have a tough team, and they responded really, really well. This is best teamwork I have ever seen out of us. They did wonderful."
Kristen Ruchti led the Cardinals with 14 kills and three aces. Courtney Mielke added eight kills, while Cassie Wymer had 27 assists.
"We weren't going to give up," Ruchti said of the comeback victory. "We weren't going to let them beat us."
In all four games, power-hitting Edgewood took control early, only to let Brodhead back in the game with key unforced errors, and the Cardinals (37-5) took advantage late.
In the final match, Edgewood led 21-20 before Ruchti tied the score with an ace. After an Edgewood blast went out of bounds, Mielke followed with a kill for 23-21 Brodhead lead.
After Edgewood closed to 23-22, Mielke added another kill for 24-22 lead. Edgewood regrouped after an Ashley Ring spike, but her next attempt went long, sending Ebensperger to his knees.
"I don't think we've seen anybody this talented," Ebensperger said of Edgewood. "So, its pretty exciting the way we came back after that first game. All the girls had a great night.'
Next stop: Green Bay, as the Cardinals take part in the state tournament at the Resch Center. They play Waukesha Memorial in a semifinal match at 4 p.m. Friday.
"This is so amazing," Ruchti said.
