Falcons stand during the National Anthem. /David Thoss photo
Here are updates of Central boys volleyball vs. Kaukauna in the semifinals at the state tournament:
Central returned to the semifinals in the state tournament, one of two, Marquette being the other. The Falcons battled to a 9-8 lead but the Ghosts strong upfront players moved them to a 17- 10 lead. Regan Hess served aces to close the gap but then a defense lapse moved the Ghosts to a 21-15 lead and caused the Falcons to call a timeout. The Falcons closed the gap to 4 with Picchietti serving 2 winners and a tip kill by Spangler but lost the set 25-20.
The second set found the Falcons down 9-7 when they called a timeout to reset the offense and Ghosts next serve was in the net. But the Ghosts upfront and consistent serving moved them back to the lead. Central closed it to 21-17 with Stetson serving back in the set to prompt the Ghosts to call a TO. The Falcons got to 23-20 on Mobile’s 2 aces. Nathan Manning came in down 24-22 to serve to a 25-24 lead but the Ghosts got it back to tie at 25. A Michelau kill put them up at 26 25. Tied at 28 the Ghosts got a kill but then served into the net to tie at 29. A kill by Michelau tied it at 30. But after two hitting errors, the Ghosts prevailed at 32 – 30.
In set three, with Central down 8-5 they ralled back to a 13-10 lead on 5 straight points with Gahart serving. They moved it to 15-11 lead Central moved out to a 21-18 lead on serving by Mobile but the Ghosts made a run to force a Central timeout. After a tremendous dig by Larson, the Falcons had a 23-21 lead and closed it out 25-23 with a kill by Michelau.
In set four, opened with the Falcons with couple of mental lapses to go down 6-1 with the Ghosts Patterson serving them to a lead. The Ghosts extended to a 16-8 lead on great serving, which the Falcons had trouble passing. The Falcons fell 25-12 and elmination from the tournament.
The bulk of the Falcons team will be returning next year, but they will lose Michelau, Picchietti and Spangler. They certainly appear to be a top contender to return for their third trip to state in 2012.
Click the link below for more photos:
Caleb Mobile goes high for a kill vs Kaukauna. /David Thoss photo
Nathan Manning serves the Falcons back into the game. /David Thoss photo
Mike Michelau goes up for a kill for the Falcons. /David Thoss photo
Brooks Gahart sets up another point. /David Thoss photo
Eric Spangler goes up for a kill for the Falcons. /David Thoss photo
Jake Stetson passes for a Falcon point. /David Thoss photo
The 3 Falcon seniors from left, Mike Michelau, Sam Picchietti and Eric Spangler, during the Kaukauna game. /David Thoss photo
Sam Picchietti blocks a kill for Falcons first point. /David Thoss photo
Kaukauna block attempt vs. Glenn Karsten./ David Thoss photo
Caleb Mobile hits to an open court for the Falcons. /David Thoss photo
Brooks Gahart sets up another kill for Regan Hess. /David Thoss photo
Regan Hess goes up for a kill for the Falcons. /David Thoss photo
Tim Vanderwerff and Mike Michelau team up for a block. /David Thoss photo
Caleb Mobile goes high for a kill vs. Kaukauna. /David Thoss photo
Brent Larsen reacts after the loss to Kaukauna./ David Thoss photo
