Posen finishes perfect in North Star

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

The Viking volleyball team (18-5-3) put the perfect capper on their back-to-back North Star League championships with one final victory against Fairview (25-21, 14, 8) to end an undefeated run in the league. ?It was gratifying,? said head coach John Dietlin. ?When we left (Fairview) Thursday we could say we won 14 games in our league. Before that we took it one match at a time.? As is the case in sports, there is little time to savor the accomplishments of the regular season before it’s time to get ready for the playoffs. Posen started its quest for the school’s second district (past press time) title against rival Hillman.

DIETLIN SAID Tuesday at practice ?Hillman still worries me.? Hillman knocked Dietlin’s Viking squads from the post season for many years until Posen got over the hump in 2008. Posen won both matches against the Tigers in 2009, but the Tigers came to life Monday against Atlanta, who beat them twice during the regular season.

?No matter how many victories we have, we’re still hungry,? said Dietlin. Mio and Hale were on the other side of the bracket playing in the late game. Wednesday’s semifinal winners will play for a district title. Posen’s contest was scheduled for 6 p.m. The district winners will advance to the regional tournament in Brimley. The other district winners will come from Gaylord St. Mary, where Onaway will be, Pellston and De Tour.

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17;re not changing anything that we’ve done all season. We’re going to continue exactly what we’ve done. It’s worked for us so far and we’re hoping it will continue for us,? said Dietlin. Posen took only one game at the Presque Isle Championship won by Onaway, but brought back a long list of positives home with them to build on. THE JUNIOR varsity came out firing on all cylinders in completing their 11-1 season. They knocked off Fairview (25-14, 4, 4). “They had an exceptional season,” said coach Michelle Mulka. “Every girl contributed in way or the other.”

The statistics follow: Paige Lewandowski nine aces, two digs, one kill; Kari Ataman three aces; Emily Delekta six ace, two digs, four assists, one kill; Anna Couture seven aces, one dig, three assists; Kristina Wisniewski two aces, one dig, three kills.