November 2021

To the victor go the spoils.

Middleton’s girls volleyball team won the Big Eight Conference’s regular season crown. And justifiably, the Cardinals landed five players on the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Junior outside hitter Jordan LaScala and junior middle hitter Sierra Pertzborn were both named first-team all-conference. Junior setter Evin Jordee and junior libero/defensive specialist Eliana Ross were named second-team all-league, while sophomore defensive specialist/libero Amber Wahlgren was named honorable-mention all-conference.

“It was a fun season for sure,” said Middleton coach Maddie Vogel. “Honestly the best part of this season was the level of support everyone gave one another.

“I am proud of this team for that beyond anything else, because they fully relied on one another in times of pain and stress, and became stronger as a result. Truly a testament to their character and strength as a team and as individuals.”

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Alexa Richardson had spent the last 15 minutes fretting.

Richardson, Middleton’s girls cross country coach, was worried about the health of Maddie Ruszkiewicz, who collapsed and couldn't finish the WIAA Division 1 state meet last Saturday.

Richardson was unsure if her star-studded team had done enough to win a second straight state title. And Richardson was concerned about the mental state of her team, which had come to Ridges Golf Course as overwhelming favorites, but were now sweating things out.

Suddenly, one of the Madison Memorial coaches showed Richardson his phone. And Richardson was given a five-hour energy-like jolt.

Not only had the Cardinals won the state title. They did so in convincing fashion.

Middleton finished with just 61 points and easily outdistanced runner-up Madison West (150). Muskego (152), Whitefish Bay (159) and Menomonie (160) rounded out the top five.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Blake Van Buren went the endzone and marked the spot of his historic tackle, one that will be remembered for years to come.

It was six inches shy of the goal line.

That’s how much room sat between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

In a WIAA Division 1 Level 2 playoff game last Friday, host Wisconsin Rapids scored a touchdown with just 4 seconds left and pulled within 21-20 of Middleton. The Red Raiders didn't hesitate and opted to go for two points and the win.

Rapids overloaded the right side of the line and gave the ball to all-everything running back Leo Brostowitz, who already had three touchdowns on the night. Cardinals defensive end Keda Seals beat his man and slowed down Brostowitz, then Van Buren — an all-state linebacker — shed a block and finished off the junior running back.

MCFARLAND — Rob Kleinschmidt didn't mince words.

Kleinschmidt, Middleton’s boys volleyball coach, gathered his team after their season ended with a loss to Kettle Moraine in the sectional finals last Saturday. And Kleinschmidt’s message was simple one.

“I just said, ‘Losing sucks,’ ” Kleinschmidt said. “There’s no way around it.”

That’s for sure.

Middleton had a sensational season, one in which it earned the No. 1 seed in its sectional and climbed to No. 4 in the latest Wisconsin Boys Volleyball Coaches Association poll. But third-seeded Kettle Moraine played sensational volleyball and toppled the Cardinals, 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-15.

The Lasers, who were ranked sixth in the state, earned the No. 4 seed at state and now face fifth-seeded Westosha Central in a quarterfinal match Thursday. Middleton ended its season 21-6.