West Salem just two wins from state after tipping Sparta

By KIRK BEY

kirk.bey@lee.net

It was time to capture the moment for posterity. And Meagan Koepnick was gasping for air.

The excitement of what Koepnick had been a part of Saturday in Durand, Wis., still had a firm grip on her. The West Salem High School volleyball team won its fourth straight WIAA Division 2 regional title. The Panthers had done so by beating MVC champion Sparta 25-23, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24.

It had been a memorable match for first-year West Salem coach Darcy Sawyer. But the image that stuck in her mind was a happy yet exhausted Koepnick trying to regain her composure so the Panthers could pose for pictures after their win.

“The girls played their hearts out,” Sawyer said. “Everyone’s adrenaline was still pumping after the match.”

Sawyer believes the Panthers will carry that enthusiasm into today’s 7 p.m. sectional semifinal against Tomahawk in Black River Falls.

She was pleased with the play of Koepnick (30 digs, 19 kills), Brittany Heilman (27 assists, 14 digs) and Devin Dettmering (20 assists). But Sawyer was just as happy that the Panthers never wavered in what were four back-and-forth sets.

“It’s nice to know that when you practice for matches like these all year long, it makes a big difference,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer is optimistic the Panthers will have the strength to play well tonight against Tomahawk and advance to Saturday’s sectional final in Altoona, Wis.

“When you get to one level, you always want to get to the next level, and the next one after that,” Sawyer said.