Veteran Mercer volleyball team excited for season

By JASON JUNO

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MERCER, Wis. --- In a lot of schools, the start of football or basketball ranks as one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar.

In Mercer, it's the beginning of volleyball season.

The Tigers began their quest for a ninth straight WIAA regional championship Monday with an evening practice.

They played some over the summer, but that ended 2.5 weeks ago and there was already a bit of rust to get rid of, coach Robyn Schoeneman said. The first practice was about getting everyone on the same page and back in the swing of things.

"As the week goes by, things are going to get a little more intense," Schoeneman said. "Start off a little bit slower. We don't need to scare anybody away the first day. We're ready for a great year."

Things will move fast.

The Tigers go to a scrimmage already on Saturday at Northland Pines. The regular season gets under way on Tuesday at the Crivitz Invitational. Their first home game isn't until Sept. 17 when South Shore comes to town, which is quickly followed by a match against their top Northern Lights Conference rival, at Washburn on Sept 19.

The regional tournament starts about a month after that, on Oct. 22.

They have a veteran team preparing for the WIAA postseason, led by Eiley Schoeneman and Jenny Klopatek, both of whom were named honorable mention all-state last year.

The WIAA expanded the tournament grouping to five divisions. Being in the smallest of five instead of four should give tiny Mercer an even better chance to compete this year and going forward.

But it's no guarantee of anything. They still need to stay healthy and use their tough slate of invitationals sprinkled throughout the year to get better.

"Iron sharpens iron," Schoeneman said.

They'll also probably have to deal at some point in the playoffs with Prentice, which they beat in 2021 and 2022 before Prentice broke through to the state tournament last year.

Schoeneman has high hopes for the season.

"It's going to be up to them and their mindset and if they're willing to sacrifice. They worked really hard this summer, excellent," she said. "We have some high expectations and they need to hold each other accountable and push. Their determination is going to be the key to our success."

She's seen the hard work her daughter Eiley has put into the sport. She's seen Klopatek, and the team's other senior, Rylinn Rossi, grow up.

"And I want really special things for them," she said.

Klopatek said there are a lot of emotions on their last first day of practice. She's hoping they can create a bond with the new players and enjoy a great season.

Eiley agreed and talked about her hopes for the season - "Having no regrets, definitely knowing we got to put it all out there and knowing that this is our last ride so have fun with it."

It definitely helps having two of the top players in northern Wisconsin.

"Jenny and her are great bookends on the court," Robyn said. "They hold everything together. They're just going to have to mix things up a lot. Not always look to the kill, but ... look for intelligent choices."

Schedule

Tuesday, Aug. 27, Crivitz Invitational

Tuesday, Sept. 3, quad at Chequamegon

Saturday, Sept. 7, at Prentice Invitational

Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Solon Springs

Friday, Sept. 13; Saturday, Sept. 14, at Wisconsin Dells

Tuesday, Sept. 17, SOUTH SHORE

Thursday, Sept. 19, at Washburn

Thursday, Sept. 26, BUTTERNUT

Saturday, Sept. 28, at Northwestern Zosel Invite

Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Drummond

Thursday, Oct. 3, at Hurley

Saturday, Oct. 5, at Hurley Fall Classic

Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Lac Courte Oreilles

Thursday, Oct. 10, MELLEN

Thursday, Oct. 17, BAYFIELD