Elmwood/Plum City secures 25th place finish

By Reagan Hoverman

First-year Ellsworth Panthers volleyball head coach Allison Odmark is excited about the progress and growth that her roster displayed at the annual UW-Stout Sprawl volleyball tournament on Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27.

Last season’s Panthers team left something to be desired with a 3-17 overall record. One of those three wins came against Clayton at the 2021 Sprawl tournament. This year, Ellsworth fared better at the Sprawl, winning two games and playing competitive sets throughout the entirety of the tournament.

The Panthers’ 2-5 record at the 2022 Sprawl earned Ellsworth a two-way tie for 35th place out of approximately 40 teams at the tournament. As is the case with most teams at the Sprawl, Ellsworth ran into a couple of buzzsaw programs including the eventual champion River Falls Wildcats.

The Panthers jumped on some good teams including Mosinee, which ended up finishing the tournament in a tie for 17th place. In that match, Ellsworth won the first set 26-24, lost the second set 25-19, and also fell in the third set 15-11. Despite losing, Odmark was thrilled with the competitive grit her girls displayed against great teams.

“Our team handled the challenge really well,” Odmark said. “Our girls knew they were up against tough teams and never seemed to hang their heads. They kept spirits high and focused on the things that they could control.”Ellsworth played four games on Friday and three games on Saturday. Odmark stated that although there were multiple losses, her girls played tough, competitive sets and pushed good teams into third sets multiple times. She spoke about participating in the Sprawl and what it showed her about the Ellsworth roster.

“This weekend was an awesome experience,” Odmark said of the Sprawl. “Our girls had to play four and three games each day. They were playing tough teams and improved throughout the weekend. Even though we didn’t walk away with the record we wanted from the weekend, we played a promising weekend of volleyball. On Saturday, every set was a close fight to the finish. This is great for our team to see that we are capable of battling through an entire match. It’s super exciting to see how we can grow in the coming weeks.”

While Ellsworth struggled to close games last season, the Panthers have slammed the door a couple of times this season and put teams away when given the opportunity. Odmark spoke about her girls getting a taste of victory and success.

“I’m happy the girls got the feeling of winning a match on Friday,” Odmark said. “On Saturday, we won match two in a tough game that went to three sets. I’m proud of the girls for sticking with it in set three to close the door on victory. It was a battle and I’m glad they had the opportunity to fight for the win.”

Ellsworth swept North Crawford in two sets with 25-20 and 25-23 victories to secure the Panthers’ first win of the Sprawl. Ellsworth’s second victory was against Prairie Farm before the Panthers eventually lost to Medford in the match for 33rd place.

Although it’s only been two weeks of her first season as head coach of the program, Odmark spoke highly of the locker room environment between the girls on the roster and the positivity that they bring to practice and matches regularly. She spoke about team chemistry.

“As any sports team goes through a given day, week, and season, there may be ups and downs,” Odmark said. “However, this group of girls has stuck together as a crew. They have continued to push each other, work hard together, and laugh together – all the things we want to strengthen this program.”

Odmark reflected on the 2022 Sprawl tournament as a growing experience for her up-and-coming volleyball program. She also spoke about how it helped get players ready for more upcoming matches.

“I’m excited to get back there next year,” Odmark said. “It’s an outstanding tournament that’s a blast to be a part of. I’m confident we can use the lessons learned from our weekend to improve and prepare for our quad in New Richmond on Sept. 6.”

The Panthers gained confidence and valuable experience that will resonate throughout the program in the coming days and weeks. Up next for the Panthers is that quad in New Richmond on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The first match is slated to begin at 5 p.m.

Elmwood/Plum City finishes 25th

The Elmwood/Plum City Wolves were also in action this weekend at the annual UW-Stout Sprawl tournament. The Wolves finished in a three-way tie for 25th place with Barron and Wausau West.

Elmwood/Plum City finished the first day of the tournament with a 1-3 overall record and as the #31 seed – out of approximately 40 teams – going into the second day of the tournament. Elmwood’s lone win on the first day of the tournament was a three-set match against the Clear Lake Warriors.

Elmwood/Plum City took care of business 25-13 in the first set before dropping the second set 25-22. The Wolves secured a 15-8 victory in the third and final set to win the series 2-1 and notch the first win of the tournament.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Elmwood/Plum City faced ou with Oshkosh West in the first round of the 2B consolation bracket. The win against Oshkosh West sent the Wolves to the 25th place match against Cochrane-Fountain City. The Wolves again performed well in that match and secured a victory to earn 25th place in the 40-team UW-Stout Sprawl tournament.

Up next for the Wolves is a non-conference matchup with Cadott at home on Tuesday, Sept. 6. That match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Ellsworth volleyball head coach Allison Odmark speaks to her team during the first match of the UW-Stout volleyball sprawl early on Friday morning. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Ellsworth junior Ava Brookshaw gets set to serve during the first set against Mosinee at the annual UW-Stout Sprawl volleyball tournament on Friday, Aug. 26. Ellsworth head coach Allison Odmark has called Brookshaw one of the most important returners on the Panthers’ roster. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Elmwood/Plum City juniors Izzy Forster and Lily Webb stand together while waiting for a serve on day one of the annual UW-Stout Sprawl tournament. Forster and Webb provide returning leadership for the Wolves this season. Photo by Reagan Hoverman