September 2022

They wanted to win a championship.

They were hoping to exit on a high.

Instead, Middleton’s girls volleyball team settled for second place at its own invitational last Saturday.

The Cardinals reached the championship match, but fell to La Crosse Aquinas, 25-22, 23-25, 15-7.

“Our match against Aquinas in the championship was a tough one,” Middleton coach Maddie Vogel said. “They were a solid opponent and ran a fast tempo on offense. At the end of the day, serving and serve receive is what it came down to, as well as executing on third contact. In a close match, a couple missed serves here and there can really make or break the outcome.”

Here's a recap of the Middleton Invite and the rest of the Cardinals’ week.

MIDDLETON INVITE

• Middleton 2, Platteville 1 — The Cardinals toppled the Hillmen, 25-8, 24-26, 15-7.

Rob Kleinschmidt knows to be the best, you need to beat the best.

That’s why Middleton’s boys volleyball coach loads up the Cardinals’ schedule every season.

On Saturday, Middleton faced one of its toughest tests of the year when it traveled to the star-studded Wauwatosa East Invite. And while the Cardinals were disappointed with their fifth place finish at the eight-team invite, they all know events like this will pay dividends down the road.

“Our intent is to play all the best teams, have them show us what areas we need the most work in, and then build those better and stronger for the postseason,” Kleinschmidt said. “Hoping it works.”

Middleton went 2-2 overall at the ‘Tosa East Invite.

No. 11 Cedarburg opened with a 22-25, 25-23, 15-12 win over sixth-ranked Middleton. The Cardinals rebounded to topple Shorewood, 25-19, 25-22.

Both teams have the same goals.

Neither squad cares for the other.

And they’ll be in each other’s way come Friday night at 7.

Middleton’s football team — which broke into the win column on Sept. 2 with a 55-14 rout of visiting Madison La Follette — heads to Verona this week. And the two Big Eight Conference favorites know if they hope to win a league title, they can’t stumble this week.

“We have a goal and it’s to win the conference,” Middleton coach Jason Pertzborn said. “Verona also has a goal of winning the conference, so we’ve got to bring it this week. Motivation won’t be a problem.”

Few teams have had a greater dislike for each other in recent years than Middleton and Verona.

There have been heated moments in their games that led to several unsportsmanlike penalties. There have been social media feuds.

If anyone needed Monday off, it was Middleton’s boys volleyball team.

The Cardinals had seven matches last week, winning six and proving they can be one of the top teams in the state this season.

“Not a bad week at all,” Middleton coach Rob Kleinschmidt said.

That’s for sure.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week:

• Middleton 3, Waukesha West 0 — The Cardinals defeated the visiting Wolverines — a traditional state power — 25-21, 25-20, 25-23, on Aug. 29.

Kaden Fosdick had seven kills and Ben Heise added six kills. Ambrose Engling had five kills and four blocks, while Brody Stuttgen added 26 assists and Alex Heuer had 13 digs and four aces.

“Monday was a very fun night,” Kleinschmidt said. “The atmosphere in varsity gym was electric — great crowd, good opponent, and lots of good volleyball.