UW-Oshkosh vs. Lakeland-final

Mike Sohasky
Miles Maguire
Reporting


Clapping, cheering and rhythmic team chants could be heard inside Kolf Sports Center Friday night where No. 2 ranked UW-Oshkosh men's varsity volleyball team defeated No.3 ranked Lakeland in a match to determine seeding for the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference 2005 State Championship.

Prior to the Lakeland match, UW-Oshkosh swept UW-Whitewater 2-0. When the chants and clapping started to diminish, the starters from both teams took the court to get the last few stretches in before the first serve.

After two spikes by Lakeland sophomores Grant Marlow and Matt Martin, and the score 5-3 in Lakeland's favor, UW-Oshkosh head coach Brian Schaefer called a time-out to regroup his troops.

"We started out flat and the momentum was clearly in Lakeland's favor," said Schaefer.

After the time-out and a few "choice" words from Schaefer, UW-Oshkosh came back with great net play from seniors Mike Semrad and Jeff Thomas. Thomas was relentless in the first set, dishing out five spikes.

The first set went back and forth with no team having the clear advantage. Both UW-Oshkosh and Lakeland just couldn't find the line due to many missed opportunities.

Oshkosh found themselves on the short end with the score 23-21 in favor of Lakeland. Marlow continued to finesse the ball passed Oshkosh defenders. Marlow ended the first set with four spikes.

As the set neared set point both teams were tied at 23-23. Spikes by Thomas and Lakeland senior Jon Lewicki gave both teams the offensive, but it was hard to pull ahead because both teams’ tall front lines crowded the net resulting in many blocks.

With score 25-25 and any teams game, Thomas answered with two spikes to lead the Titans to a 27-25 victory and gave them the first set of the match, 1-0.

“It was surprising it was so close, we all got kind of frustrated,” said Thomas.

The Titans started the second set with more communication and urgency than the previous one, which resulted in an early lead 5-2. UW-Oshkosh senior Andrew Sederberg started the set off with two great serves, which resulted in two points for the Titans.

Frustration was setting in on the Lakeland bench. Lakeland head coach Chad Schreiber was constantly complaining about calls to the line judge.

After an 8-3 Titan lead, Schreiber called a time out to wake his team up. “ You guys are just going through the motions,” said Schreiber in hopes to ignite a spark in his squad.

Lakeland freshman Aaron Wayne came out of the huddle strong by spiking two balls passed Sederberg and Semrad.

Lakeland’s rally was kept short once again by the Titan’s offensive threat. Great serving by Semrad, two of which led to aces, not to mention continued spikes by Thomas and freshman Jacob Cosson helped diminish Lakelands’ chances of a comeback.

The score now 18-13 in favor of the Titans.

But Lakeland was not done yet. Lakeland sophomore Dave Koch recorded one ace on the serve and two spikes in the final plays of the match.

However, the momentum had been in the Titan’s favor the whole match and they would roll with a 25-18 victory.

Thomas said, “We were on a roll serving and setting the ball. Once we had the momentum we didn’t let down. Individuals played well and our defense played better the second set.”

Schreiber declined to comment on his team after the match.

“ We are getting back to playing great. Last week we were upset by unranked Northern Illinois and it shocked us, so we are glad to turn it around,” said UW-Oshkosh senior Chad Goulin.

Schaefer said, “ We started off real slow and couldn’t get anything started in our first set. But the second set was much better. We were more offensive and overall better.”

Thomas ended the match 9 out of 9 for spiked balls followed by Cosson, who was 8 for 10 in spikes. UW-Oshkosh’s next opponent is No.1 ranked Marquette, which they will face later that same night at 8:30 p.m.