ALBANY — With a split during conference play, the season series between Albany and Black Hawk was on the line in a WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinal on Tuesday, Oct. 22. With fewer mistakes at the service line and on their swings, the Warriors won 26-24, 21-25, 25-12, 12-25, 15-13.

Black Hawk had just three service errors with five players not missing a single serve — Mya Milz in 21 attempts, Maddy Place in 10, Maddy Lange in 13, Molly Edler in 14 and Hailey Wellnitz in 24. Lange and Wellnitz also paced the Warriors offensively, combining for 24 kills. Keira Brunner was a threat at the net with four blocks — three of which were solo. She also led the team with 20 assists. Seven players had double-digit digs, led by Milz with 39.

Despite the loss, it was a career night for senior Ellie Modaff. The setter had 32 assists, surpassing 1,000 in her career. She and Anna Ellinger also led the squad with 37 digs each. Offensively, Ellinger and Kierra Cleasby split the attack duties, combining for 29 kills. 

Eight-seed Albany (3-15, 3-9 Six Rivers East) finished third from last in conference, rebuilding from the 2023 season. The Comets graduate another large class — six seniors — with just four varsity players slated to return next season.

With the win, 9-seed Black Hawk (3-13, 2-9 Six Rivers East) advances to play conference champion, 1-seed Barneveld (18-7, 12-0). The Eagles previously swept the Warriors twice in league play.

ARGYLE 3, BENTON 0

ARGYLE — With nearly four times as many kills as errors, the Orioles swept the Zephyrs 25-12, 25-7, 25-15 in a WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Claire Holmes was dominant from the service line with five of her team’s 11 aces. Offensively, Kylie Butler led with 16 kills on 28 swings with just five errors for a .393 hitting percentage. Lexi Wonders had even better success, registering four kills on nine swings without an error. Mya McNett facilitated the offense with a team-high 31 assists. Brooke Wellnitz paced Argyle with 13 digs.

With the win, 6-seed Argyle (12-7, 8-4 Six Rivers East) advances to a regional semifinal game against HWY 78 neighbor, 3-seed Pecatonica (12-6, 8-4 SRE). The Vikings defeated the Orioles 3-1 in their first meeting on Sept. 24, but after suffering key injuries, Pecatonica dropped its Oct. 17 match to Argyle, 3-2.

REEDSBURG 3, MONROE 0

REEDSBURG — The Cheesemakers suffered a 25-15, 25-13, 25-17 loss to the Beavers in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

“Monroe came ready to play tonight but unfortunately came up short to Reedsburg in a regional matchup,” Monroe head coach Cassie Wittman said. “The team played lights out defense, served tough, and played with passion and grit through the entirety of the game.”

With the loss, Monroe ended its season with a 3-18 overall record and 1-7 mark in the Rock Valley-Valley division. The team graduates seven seniors.

In other local WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal action, 9-seed New Glarus defeated 8-seed Brookfield Academy 17-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-17, 15-9. With the win, the Knights (7-17, 4-6 Capitol South) advance to a regional semifinal against 1-seed Abundant Life-Saint Ambrose (32-6, 6-0 Trailways South).