The Xavier girls volleyball team claimed the WIAA Division 2 state championship on Nov. 7, defeating Kettle Moraine Lutheran 25-21, 25-18, 20-25, 27-25 at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. After falling behind in the decisive fourth set, the Hawks executed a late surge to close out the match and capture their third state title in program history, a feat achieved entirely within the last five years. The victory extends their recent dominance, with the team finishing the season with a 31-11 record.
Late fourth-set surge secures third title in five years for the Hawks
Xavier’s offense was balanced and efficient, led by Bella Daley with 12 kills and Kayla Fournillier with 10. Setter Raya Zurfluh orchestrated the attack with 36 assists, while back-row play was anchored by Hope Kaufman’s 15 digs and Rose Kendall’s 14. Lily Renz contributed four aces, providing crucial momentum shifts. The team’s depth and cohesion were evident throughout the match, allowing them to weather Kettle Moraine Lutheran’s third-set comeback and maintain composure during the tense final points.
For Bella Daley, the championship carried personal significance, as she watched her older sister Madison lead the Hawks to back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 from the stands. “Watching this made us feel like little kids again,” Daley said. “We were talking about before the [semifinals] that it was like waking up on Christmas. We were so excited and it’s been like a dream for all of us.” The win cements Xavier’s status as a perennial powerhouse in Division 2 volleyball.
Source: Yahoo Sports
