Amanda Webb: “Most successful season in EPC co-op history”

By Reagan Hoverman Elmwood/Plum City volleyball head coach Amanda Webb has already called the 2022 season the most successful in the decade-long history of the EPC co-op. Although the Wolves’ volleyball season ended via sweep in the Division 4 Sectional Semifinal against Wonewoc- enter on Satur day, Oct. 29, the 2022 campaign includes the first Dunn-St. roix onference hampion – ship and first D4 Regional hampionship in EPC history.

After Elmwood/Plum City defeated Al- ma- enter Lincoln in a five-set dogfight in the Regional Championship on Saturday, Oct. 22, the Wolves punched a ticket to sec- tionals for the first time in EP history.

The #1 seed Wolves played Wonewoc- Center, the #1 seed in the other sectional at the neutral site of Black River Falls on Saturday evening. Wonewoc-Center swept Elmwood/ Plum City with set scores of 25-13, 25-11, and 25-15. Coach Webb spoke about the three-set defeat in the sectional semifinal.

“They were a good team and we came out super flat. We just couldn't find anything to put together,” Webb said. “They had one really good hitter and I don’t take anything away from them, but when she was in the back row and we targeted serves we did alright. We just couldn't put together some solid ouense to have an answer back for them.”

Wonewoc-Center took it to the Wolves in the debut set and jumped out to a 6-0 lead and even led 10-1 at one point. Coach Webb stated that the opposition’s hot start took away any potential momentum from EPC before the match even had a chance to truly get going.

"When we started out slow and it was 6-0 and then 10-1, we were kind of done,” Webb said. “They were a good team and they came to play. I just wish we would have been a bit more competitive at the end of the day. Some of the score doesn't reflect how we can truly play, we just didn't bring it." Experience also likely played a factor. Wonewoc-Center went to the State Tournament last season and has significantly more experience playing in high-pressure volleyball situations than Elmwood/Plum City does. Wonewoc-Center went on to win the 2022 Sectional Championship and advance to its second consecutive state tournament.

Despite the season ending in a sweep, coach Webb has already begun reflecting fondly on the 2022 season that was filled with a number of "firsts" for the Elmwood/ Plum City co-op volleyball program.

“At the end of the day, we had a really good year," Webb said. “When it’s all said and done, we’re going to focus on those things and not just the one loss. This is by far the best year we’ve had as a co-op team. These kids have worked really hard. I was fortunate to start working with them in middle school and all the way through." Elmwood/Plum City didn’t shy away from competition this season. Not just in the playous against some of the best teams in the state, but throughout the regular season too. The Wolves played games against teams including Athens and Chippewa Falls, two programs that made it to the state tournament this year. Other tough opponents included Aquinas, Oshkosh West and Prairie du Chien.

“They’re a good bunch of very athletic girls and they learned how to communicate, trust each other, play well together and all of those things that make a team success- ful," Webb said. "They were able to find that throughout the year. We played some really good Division 1 and 2 schools at the beginning of the year. We played Chi-Hi twice – they’re a state team. We got better playing com- petitive teams." Elmwood/Plum City now graduates seven seniors that played important roles this season. The Wolves are losing perhaps no player more impactful than Lily Webb, the senior setter who was responsible for blocking, run- ning the team's ouense and even getting kills in critical moments.

“The seniors were a special group for me. I’ve seen these kids grow up," Aman da Webb said. “It started with them in middle school and I’ve really enjoyed watching them and working with them throughout the years." The only returning player that saw significant varsity playing time is outside hitter Hailey Webb, who will be entering her junior season next year. Coach Webb spoke about the class of seniors and how the program will likely enter a rebuild next year due to limited varsity experience.

“Having seven varsity players walk out the door, there are going to be a lot of important shoes to fill next year," Amanda Webb said. “Next year might be a year where we continue to develop and see what happens the following year with return- ing starters. We're definitely rebuilding and some girls

will have to play some new spots, but that’s all part of the program." Elmwood/Plum City fin ished the season 23-15 overall and with a perfect 7-0 record in Dunn-St. Croix Conference matches, which won the Wolves their first DSC Conference Championship in co-op history.

Elmwood/Plum City’s Hannah Forster blocks a tip from Wonewoc-Center’s Bryn Ertel during the firstset of the Division 4semi-final sectional on Thursday, Oct. 27 in Black River Falls.Photo by Logan Everson

Elmwood/Plum City’s Alexa Gilles slams an attack past Wonewoc-Center’s Kadence Hamburg during the third set inThursday’s Division 4 sectional semi-final in Black River Falls. Photo by Logan Everson