After defeating Osseo-Fairchild in the first round of the Division 3 bracket and Blair-Tay- lor in the Regional Semifinal, the Spring Val ley Cardinals volleyball team lost in four sets on the road against top-seeded Westby in the Division 3 Regional Championship game on Saturday, Oct. 22.

For Spring Valley head coach Kelli Schle – gel, the playous run was a success, even if it ended in a regional championship game de – feat. Westby took the opening set 25-19 and then Spring Valley responded with a 25-22 victory in the second set to level the series 1-1. However, the Westby Norsemen claimed the third and fourth sets 25-17 and 25-23 to secure the Division 3 Regional Champion – ship. Coach Schlegel spoke about playing in that regional title game.

“My girls left everything they could on the court," Schlegel said. "Ouensively we strug gled a little bit because they had some big blocks against us. They have a 6'4" outside hitter that I believe is playing D1 volleyball next year." One of the shining moments for Schlegel's roster in that Regional Championship game was freshman Ella Stangl's performance against that future Division 1 player. Stangl slowed down the opposition's most talented player as best as she could and went toe-totoe with one of the best players in the state.

"My hero in that game was my freshman Ella Stangl," Schlegel said. "I matched them up because I knew she could pull out her tricks and she's really good at tooling ou the block. With Mara (Ducklow) coming ou of a 20-kill game, I wanted to give her the best chance possible to have another game like that. Ella (Stangl) just did a great job." Although the game against Westby ended in a four-set loss, coach Schlegel stated that the growth her team displayed from the first game of the season to that final contest for the Regional Championship was night and day.

"They played solid and they didn't let the little things get to them like they did at the be- ginning of the season," Schlegel said. "When we played a decent team (early in the year) we would crumble at the sight of being down a couple of points, and they didn't let that happen (in the regional title game)." While Spring Valley certainly believed it should have been in the Regional Cham- pionship game, the WIAA bracket didn't. The Cardinals went into the playous as a #5 seed and took care of business against #12 Osseo-Fairchild in the first round. However, Spring Valley was an underdog in the second round as the Cardinals went on the road to face #4 Blair-Taylor in the Regional Semifi – nal game.

After losing the first set 25-22 on the road, Spring Valley rallied to win three consecutive sets with scores of 27-15, 25-15, and 25-21 to advance to that eventual title match against Westby. Schlegel spoke about the upset vic –

tory against Blair-Taylor.

"They didn't really come at us with at – tacks, so we adjusted after the first set – just kind of learning what they were doing and who they were," Schlegel said. "We just took control after that first set. Our ouense was led by Mara Ducklow that night. I think she ended up having 20 kills in those four games, so that was nice to see her get on a roll. We played well defensively and adjusted what we needed to." Spring Valley's 2022 campaign includ – ed a runner-up finish in the Dunn-St. Croix Conference standings and multiple victories in the Division 3 playou bracket. The Cardi – nals finished the season with a 20-10 overall record and a 6-1 showing in the conference slate of games.

The Cardinals, led by senior setter Phoe – be Vodnik, made strides throughout the 2022 season that some Spring Valley teams haven't done since 2008, which included hosting a home playou game as the #5 seed.

"Definitely through the ups and downs, it was a win for the season," Schlegel said. "Having a home match for the first round of regionals, we did that, and then going above and beyond that #4 seed making it to the Regional Final, which we hadn't done since 2008, we were actually in D4 that year. Being one of the smaller teams in D3 (this year) we held our own. I'm proud of them." Notable accolades for the Spring Valley roster include both senior setter Phoebe Vod – nik and junior outside hitter Mara Ducklow receiving First-Team All-Conference honors. It was Vodnik's second time being named First-Team All-Conference and Ducklow's first time receiving such an honor. Junior right side hitter Charli Vanasse and Stan – gl, the aforementioned outside hitter, both earned Second-Team All-Conference honors.

While Vodnik and Ducklow's play speaks for itself, Schlegel spoke about how both girls play critical roles on the roster not only on the floor but also in the locker room as leaders.

"(Vodnik) is just a leader on and ou the floor. She's very positive and knows how to talk to each girl and push each person. She's been our setter for two years and she's going to be a hard role to replace," Schlegel said. "Mara (Ducklow) was a contender for Play – er of the Year for the DSC Conference. She's strong all around – a great server, can pass the ball very well and is always working to get better. I'm excited to have her back next year." Spring Valley has five seniors graduating this year, three of whom were regular players in the varsity rotation. The aforementioned Vodnik headlines the senior class as the star, but the other four including Tatum Timm, Addisyn Kado, Kaylee Eschenbach and Tyra Johnson all played valuable roles on this year's roster.

"Our seniors really stepped up this year," Schlegel said. "Addisyn (Kado) and Tyra (Johnson) did a great job for us in the middle and Kaylee (Eschenbach) and Tatum (Timm) were my defensive specialists that brought a lot of heart to the team. They worked hard to get better and help the team get better. It was a great senior class."