Citizen Staff/James Wold
Waupun's Jenell Larsen (17) battles Westosha Central's Christina Brinkman (14) during Thursday's match.
WAUPUN — Just because Bridget Nickel left the middle doesn't mean Waupun can't generate offense from there.
The Warriors were able to keep visiting Westosha Central off-balance enough to take a 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 sweep in Thursday's volleyball opener. With Falcon head coach Charlie Berg absent from the sideline due to other commitments, Waupun was experienced enough to know it could keep the ball in play and watch the Falcons implode
"Not having their head coach was worth about five points each game," Waupun coach Keith Milkowski said of Berg. "They helped us out a lot."
With three state titles and a silver ball since 2000, it's hard to imagine the Falcons committing four rotation errors with Berg on the sidelines. Whenever Westosha generated momentum, it was usually followed by a shot to its own foot.
"We didn't make the crucial errors they did at crunch time," Milkowski said. "We played even to 10 and then we made our push."
Junior Jenell Larsen and sophomore Libby Bresser will be counted on for defense first out of the middle. While Nickel (11 kills) and Dolgner (12) will be expected to carry the offensive burden on the left side, Larsen (three) and Bresser (five) showed they can score if opponents neglect them.
"We had good balance tonight," Milkowski said.
Waupun played from a marginal lead in game one and stretched it out late. The Falcons improved in game two but Dolgner put Waupun up 18-16 with a kill and then ripped off a six-point service run, including an ace.
"Brandi had a nice run in game two," Milkowski said. "Brandi and Bridget don't break down in serve receive."
Michielah Navis had 10 digs and three kills to go with 32 assists while Dolgner added 10 kills. Berg's absence took a certain amount of starch out of a rivalry that dates back to the early '90s.
"We're always two of the top 10 teams in the state," Milkowski said. "A lot of years, we're top five."
Next up for the Warriors is the Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, starting today. Waupun leads a pool including Menomonee Falls, Waukesha West and Homestead.
WAUPUN 3, WESTOSHA CENTRAL 0
Westosha Central 16 17 19 - 0
Waupun 25 25 25 - 3
WAUPUN (leaders): Kills - Dolgner 12, Nickel 11, Bresser 5, Navis 3, Larsen 3. Assists - Navis 32, Core 3. Digs - Navis 10, Dolgner 10, Guell 8, VanEgtern 3.