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Setting Up For Success Tyler DeVooght, UW-Manitowoc Campus News Staff

The UW-Manitowoc Blue Devils Women’s Volleyball Team hopes to make its goal of winning a state championship a reality. The Blue Devils placed second in the conference last season with a conference record of 5-1. After finishing third in the state tournament, the team is determined to up the ante.

The Blue Devils have gotten off to a quick start by winning all of its head to head matches handily while recording three wins and two losses at the Marinette Tournament. Sophomores Brianna Robley and Kayla Fehrmann have played key roles this season. Both rank high in the majority of statistical categories. Robley, a dominant 5’10” center, averages 2.5 kills per set, while Fehrmann, a versatile player, has placed 100% of her serves successfully along with 17 aces. Coach Baeckman proudly claimed, “I’ve got the two best centers in the state!” Both players have also had big game experience. Robley, a Manitowoc Lutheran grad, led her high school team to the state tournament as a senior, as did Fehrmann for Manitowoc Lincoln High School.

Every player is looking to make an impact in some way. The squad has an equal combination of youth and experience-- four freshman and five sophomores on the roster. Of the nine players listed, Lincoln High leads the way with three alumni on the roster, with others from Valders, Roncalli, Manitowoc Lutheran, and Wabeno high schools. The combination of local schools has had a positive affect on team bonding. Coach Baeckman stated that he’s “very fortunate” to coach a roster with such talent. “It’s scary because they’re working very well together already,” said Baeckman. Robley said, “This year's team has been so much fun. Kayla Fehrmann, Beth Pries, and I played on the team last year and the new girls have fit right in. We have a lot of goofy girls on the team which makes for a lot of laughs on the court!” The quick connection between teammates has shown, as the team has not lost a set in its four head-to-head matches. Baeckman said much of the bonding comes from players playing elite high school club volleyball together during the off-seasons. Seven of the nine team members played for the Lakeshore Storm throughout high school.

Expectations are high, and so far the team has met those expectations and more. The team has blown out the competition and coach Baeckman concluded by saying, “I haven’t seen a team come close.”

The public is welcome to watch the Blue Devils in action at the remainder of their home games which all begin at 6:00 p.m. in the UW-Manitowoc gym. Dates include: September 28, October 3, 5 and 10.

12:09 AM, Oct. 4, 2011 | Written by The UW-Manitowoc women's volleyball team defeated UW-Sheboygan 3-0 on Monday by scores of 25-10, 25-23 and 25-16. Jordan Stehula led Manitowoc with 11 aces while Kayla Fehrmann had 16 assists and five kills. Also for Manitowoc, Brianna Robley had 10 kills and nine assists, Ashley Rothmund had 10 digs and Mackenzie Virnoche had eight digs and three aces. UW-Manitowoc (13-1, 3-0) plays undefeated UW-Marinette on Wednesday
 * College volleyball: UW-Manitowoc beats UW-Sheboygan **
 * Herald Times Reporter **



“Birdies” Stay For Fall

Article by: Tyler DeVooght, UW-Manitowoc Campus News Staff

 As fall arrives, birds usually depart. However, the UW-Manitowoc team hopes to obtain a few “birdies.” Last season, the Blue Devils golf team unfortunately placed 3rd at the conference meet due to health issues; unfortunately, the team wasn’t given a chance to redeem itself this season.

 Under Coach Roland Baldwin, the club had the talent this season but not the numbers. “It’s always a pleasure being involved with the golf team, and I'm always pleased when ‘a few good players’ find it worth the sacrifice to participate”, Baldwin said; “Unfortunately, we lacked members and had no women out for the team this year. We have had women in the past, but no one chose to try out this year.” Coach Baldwin had high expectations for the season, but the low numbers meant that the team could not place competitively as a team, only as individuals.

Jayme Hetland is one of the few sophomores on the club that competed at the majority of the meets last season. Coach Baldwin said, “We were relying heavily on our returning player from last year, Jayme Hetland.” Hetland was excited to get on the course and said his goal for the season was to, “show every day and play at my best.” His best score of 2010 was a 91 and he matched that score this season.

“The Bull,” located in Sheboygan was one of the team’s favorite courses. Coach Baldwin describes it as “the course that everyone hates but wants to play.” Davis LaMarche led the way, shooting an 86 which was earned him 4th place in the meet and proved to be the lowest score of the UW-Manitowoc team. LaMarche’s best score of the year was a 78 at the UW-Waukesha meet. The roster finished the season strong by having every member score lower than 96 at the Conference Meet. The team hopes to attract more members for next season and get back into the mix for a conference title.