V-Hawk volleyball eyes nationals after conference win

Thanks to a hard fought 3-1 victory over the Dakota State Trojans on Saturday, Nov.16, Viterbo volleyball won the North Star Athletic Association conference championship for the sixth time in program history. As a result of this win, the V-Hawks will be travelling to Sioux City, Iowa, to compete in the NAIA National Championship.

Despite the comfortable score line, the match was far from easy, as the Trojans started strong out of the gate, winning the first set by a score of 25-22. However, Viterbo was able to overcome the early deficit and win each of the subsequent three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-20, and 25-21.

Katie Frohmader, a junior from Fort Atkinson, Wis., led the contest with 20 kills. “The first set Dakota State came out strong and played with intensity,” said Frohmader, adding that, “as the game progressed though, we were able to settle into our rhythm and take control.”

Along with the victory, several V-Hawks won individual awards at the tournament. Frohmader was awarded the title of NSAA offensive player-of-the-year and was named to the first team all-conference. “I think individual awards are more of a reflection on the entire team,” Frohmader stated. “I can’t win any awards without [my teammates’] support.”

Five other V-Hawks earned all-conference honors as well. Kenzie Winker won the Freshman-of-the-year award and was named to the First-Team All-NSAA. Winker, who is from Holmen, Wis., is the fourth V-Hawk to have earned this award. Miah Garant, a junior from Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Maya Roberts, a junior from Watertown, Wis. were named to the first team all-conference. Rekha Drevlow, a junior from Lake Mills, Wis., and Lauryn Sobasky, a junior from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., were named to the second team for their efforts this past season. Finally, Ryan DeLong was named NSAA Coach of the year for the sixth time in his Viterbo career.

Despite all the success obtained so far this season, the team isn’t done yet. December 3 marks the beginning of the NAIA National Championships, and the V-Hawks have grown accustomed to making deep postseason runs in recent years.

The V-Hawks feel confident, as Frohmader noted that “[the team] has been playing its best volleyball of the season so far,” continuing with, “we want to keep it going heading into nationals.”

In 2018, the V-Hawks’ Final Four run and most of their wins obtained during the regular season were revoked due to a breach of NAIA eligibility rules. When asked about the effect that might have on the team’s mentality, Frohmader answered that “We know what we accomplished last season and going into nationals we’ve mostly forgotten about the ruling.”

The team kicks off its campaign on December 3 in the group stage. All V-Hawk games during nationals will be streamed on Viterbo Athletics’ website, where fans can follow the action live and have access to real-time statistics.