Central boys volleyball win sectional match-up versus Middleton

Brent Larsen, Regan Hess and Caleb Mobile force Middleton to hit ball high. /David Thoss photo

The Central Falcons hosted the Middleton Cardinals tonight in a boys volleyball sectional tilt. The Falcons have played the Cardinals for the third year in a row in order to progress in the tournament. Tonight it was all Falcons in scoring wins of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-15. The Falcons jumped out to an early 8-2 lead on strong serving from Caleb Mobile and Regan Hess. Before the Cardinals called a timeout, they were trailing 10-5, only to see Mike Michelau serve two aces to move the lead to 12-6. Middleton did get to within 4, then Brooks Gahart had a perfect tip kill to move the lead back to 5 at 14-9, and eventually scored the 7 point margin win. In the 2nd set, it was the Cardinals moving out to an early lead at 8-3 before Coach Wayne Schultz called a timeout. Central clawed back to an 11-8 deficit before they climbed all the way back to secure a 14-13 lead on Regan Hess’ serving and Mike Michelau timely kills. Michelau then had 3 aces in a row to move the lead to 19-16. After a Central mis-hit, and good rally Michelau had a big backrow kill to go up 20-17. With strong defense by Jake Stetson and Brent Larsen the Falcons moved to a 25-20 victory. The 3rd set Central jumped out to a 7-1 lead on Gahart and Mobile service winners and block kills by Glenn Karsten, Michelau and Hess they moved to a 20-14 lead. Mark LaMeer served to a 23-14 lead and after a Michelau kill that bounced off the Cardinal Libero, Michelau served the game winner after the Cardinals could not manage a return. Coach Schultz said that the Falcons serving was by far the best his team has served to date, and the extra time in practice is paying off huge dividends. He promised more work beginning Wednesday in preparation for the Sectional Final. Next up is the Sectional Final Thursday 11/3 at Burlington at 7 p.m., to face the host Demons, with the winner going to the State Tournament at Wisconsin Lutheran in Wauwatosa that begins 11/11/11.

Jake Stetson had a strong defensive night and led Central with 11 digs.

Leaders

• Aces: Mike Michelau and Regan Hess 5, Caleb Mobile 4
• Blocks :Eric Spangler 3,Regan Hess 2,Brooks Gahart 2, Mike Michelau 2,Caleb Mobile 2
• Kills: Caleb Mobile 13,Mike Michelau 12, Regan Hess 4
• Assists : Brooks Gahart 30
• Digs: Jake Stetson 11,Caleb Mobile 10, Mike Michelau 7, Brent Larsen 6

Click link below to see more photos:

Mike Michelau serves for the final point. /David Thoss photo

Caleb Mobile hammers a kill while Luke Werth is waiting to defend. /David Thoss photo

Regan Hess powers a kill vs Middleton. /David Thoss photo

Mike Michelau hits through the block vs Middleton. /David Thoss photo

Parents section cheering on a critical point. /David Thoss photo

Brooks Gahart sets up Regan Hess for a kill. /David Thoss photo

/David Thoss photo

Eric Spangler and Mike Michelau team up for a block. /David Thoss photo

Brent Larsen, Eric Spangler and Mike Michelau begin to celebrate as Cardinals can not return the serve. /David Thoss