River Ridge plays with big heart at state
River Ridge’s Verity Johnson sets the ball up for a spike Friday versus Clayton at the State Volleyball Tournament in Green Bay. (Photos by Crystal Kovacs of True Lives Studio)
Coach Dianne Langmeier and the River Ridge team get fired up versus Clayton.
Verity Johnson and Skylar White go up for a block attempt at the State Tournament.
The Lady Timberwolves celebrate a point against Clayton Friday morning.
Verity Johnson slams one back to Clayton Friday.
The River Ridge High School volleyball team finished an outstanding season on Friday morning as they took on Clayton in the State Volleyball Tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Defending State Champion Clayton defeated River Ridge in three tight games 26-24, 26-24 and 25-20 in the Division 4 semifinal. Clayton (29-4) went on to lose to Catholic Central (39-7) in three games in the championship match on Saturday.
The Lady Timberwolves ended their best season in program history with a stellar 24-1 record. It was the first time that River Ridge had ever gone to the State Tournament in volleyball.
River Ridge was the undefeated conference champion, the regional champion and the sectional champion on their road to state in which they swept nearly every opponent.
The team played with heart, determination, outstanding teamwork and hustle throughout the season in which they represented the community, the school and themselves very well indeed.
Skylar White had 21 kills and Taylor Langmeier had 16 to help lead the Lady Timberwolves against Clayton. Verity Johnson set up her teammates with 20 assists, while Jaci Williams notched 9. White had 3 service aces and Johnson had 1. Johnson led the team in digs with 27. Faith Schier had 26. Williams had 11, White 9, and Langmeier 8. Langmeier had 4 blocks and White had 2.
Despite Friday’s loss, the team and its great fans had a fine experience, and the future continues to look bright for River Ridge volleyball.
"We were overwhelmed with all the support from the River Ridge and surrounding communities," said Coach Dianne Langmeier. "We are so grateful to all the texts, emails and kind gestures from everybody. This is what truly made our dream of going to state such a nice memory for the team. A big thanks to everybody! These girls worked hard and made their dream become a reality. I am so proud of each member on this 2018 River Ridge volleyball team."
