The MVB team
from Northland International entered the 2011 Wisconsin Volleyball Conference
State Tournament as the #3 seed. Based on their season performance on the conference play dates, the Pioneers came into the weekend at UW-Oshkosh behind
UW-Green Bay/St. Norbert and host UW-Oshkosh. “We had some rhythm problems midseason, but this was the end of our season and we wanted to play well,”
commented Senior Captain Andrew Schilling. Coach Herron encouraged his team
with the thought that God can certainly use this event to honor Him but “let’s
not complicate that by not doing our part!”
Day one of
the tournament was on Friday, April 1, with pool play. The Pioneer’s first match
saw action against Concordia University. The Falcons had a bigger lineup, but
NI controlled the match with a 25–22 and 25–23 win. The second match pitted
the visiting Pioneers against UW-Oshkosh, which we had a 3–0 season record against.
Set one was close all the way to tie scores at 20–20, 21–21, 22–22, 24–24, and up to
27–27; NI found a way to win 29–27. Set two went to the Titans 25–21. Coach
Herron played a hunch and started a rotation that would hopefully put NI in
good shape later in the set. “We didn’t serve tough enough or pass tough enough
and got behind so the plan failed!” NI lost 5–15 in the third set. The last
pool play match was against UW-Whitewater. With constant encouragement from the
sideline, NI won 25–23 and 25–15. The fate of the Pioneer seeding into the playoff round would be in the hands
of the other pool play match between Concordia and UWGB/SN. Coach Herron
commented, “I knew we would have a chance, but it would be slim. It would come
down to points because games won were even. We stress defense, and this is why
in tournament format. I got the team up early . . . ready to play on Saturday morning
because I thought for sure we would be playing in the quarter finals.” NI
arrived at the gym and found they got the edge they needed and had the #1 seed
out of their pool. They would play UWGB/St. Norbert in the semi-final of the
winner’s bracket. All they had to do was win one match, and they would find
themselves in the final championship match.
Now the
Pioneers would have to battle the Phoenix/Knights who had a 3–1 season
advantage in match play. The physical ability to make a play is dependent on a
player’s capability to mentally and emotionally deal with the moment. Coach
Herron encouraged the team to not waste the moment and just to be ready for
whatever would come! NI began strong in set one with an 18–12 lead. Andrew
Summers blocked a ball for a 24–19 lead, and Micah Herron got a kill for set one,
winning 25–21. Set two was close up to a 14–13 NI lead. A focused effort on defense
improved that to 21–15. The offense was running well because of the defense, and
the match was won by kills from Bryce Pegram and Micah Herron. Herron led the
attack in this match with 9 kills, followed by Pegram with 6 and Yates with 5.
The host Titans would be waiting on the other side of the championship bracket
in the championship arena. UWO had a definitive home-court advantage with a “Spring Break” atmosphere where 90 percent of the fans were wanting the Pioneers to
lose! With Coach Herron encouraging the Pioneers to be confident and
courageous, the championship match began in front of a loud and raucous crowd.
Showing great poise and execution, NI opened up a 16–8 lead on strong serving
and passionate defense. The lead was continued to a 23–14 margin. A UWO hitting
error and a Pegram kill gave set one to NI 25–16. As the teams changed sides,
it was very apparent that the Titans were ticked as the crowd was silenced. The
UWO service game was escalated, and the NI offense was slowed down. The Titans
opened up an 18–14 lead, and an NI timeout was had. The Pioneers were
encouraged to finish strong in light of “the worst that can happen is that we
are tied . . . but we need the momentum!” Set two went to the Titans 25–18. Micah
Herron, senior captain exhorted his team mates to “step up, be confident, and be
ready to play.” When the teams changed courts, NI was up 11–8 and were playing
great. With an 11–8 lead, a Pioneer player missed an easy serve, and the Titans
scored four straight points to get a 12–11 lead that was carried to a 13–11 lead.
The Pioneers would not quit and tied it up on 14–14. A Titan kill and an
overpass by the NI serve receive saw the championship go to UWO 16–14.
Coach Herron
commented after the awards ceremony, “We lost the match, but I do believe we
gained a great deal of respect. I know that doesn’t put a trophy in the case or
a banner on the wall. For what we try to do, the vain recognition of a
championship won in public pales to the private/personal conversations that a
close loss might cause between my players and their opponent. I believe and
have seen how even this can bring God glory! It is a privilege to play in this
conference.”
The Pioneers took home some season awards:
Micah Herron was named the 2011 Storvik Sportsmanship winner, which is given to the
player in the conference (DI and DII inclusive) who exhibits character on and
off the court. He was also elected as the 2011 season MVP (2010 winner also).
Micah was also selected to the 2011 All Conference and All Tournament team.
Andrew Schilling was elected to the 2011 All Conference and All Tournament.
Isaac Cummins and Justin Delizo were named to the WVC Scholar Athlete team. This
is a senior-laden team that finishes with an 18–10 season record and one trip to
the NCVF National Tournament in 2010.