By Bob Skubal
Retired coach, historian, author of ‘History of Tomahawk Sports’
TOMAHAWK – The first season that this author can find girls’ volleyball results was in 1973. There was some talk of 1972 being the beginning, but to date, nothing can support that claim.
Over the past 50 years, THS has had 10 different head coaches with Laurie Mitchell and Jen Pfannerstill both having the longest tenure of 13 seasons each. Tomahawk volleyball has produced 166 All-Conference athletes, eight conference dual championships (1983, 2000, co-2004, 2006, co-2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014), six conference championships (2000, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014), nine regional championships (1982, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), five sectional championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014), five state appearances (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014), and two state runner-up titles (2011 and 2014).
As you see, this has been a highly successful program over the past 50 years and produced some great memories for our community.
Following will be some of the highlights from the program starting with the first season, to the first conference dual title, the first conference tournament title, first regional title, first sectional title, first state appearance, and both state runner-up titles. Special accomplishments will be mentioned along the way.
1973 saw Bonnie Converse become the first girls’ volleyball coach and produce a 3-4 dual record. Members of that first team were Bev Weizenicker, Connie Weizenicker, Sue Copes, Kathy Martell, Bonne Draeger, Peg Weizenicker, Toni Bassett, and Ivy Hocking. The season saw victories over Phillips and Mosinee twice. Losses that season were to Lakeland twice, Phillips and Hurley.
1975 saw Tomahawk defeat Hurley 3-1. This was Hurley’s first loss in two years. Hurley was the two- time conference champion and state entry in 1974.
In 1976, Bev Reich became the first All-Conference player for THS.
In 1982, Tomahawk was coached by Laurie Mitchell and Becky Frese. Varsity members were Leslie DeBels, Heather Imm, Kelly O’Leary, Stephanie Teal, Diane DuPlayee, Karen Swam, Suzie Schell, Kris Theiler, Nancy VanStrydonk and Lori Osero. THS won their first regional title. At Regionals, Tomahawk defeated Maple Northwestern 2-0 (15-0 and 15-1), Phillips 2-0 (15-4 and 15-1), and Hayward 2-0 (15-3 and 15-6). At Sectionals, Laurie Mitchell’s squad would lose a tough-fought match against Barron 6-15 and 11-15. Barron would go on to become state champions.
1983 saw Tomahawk win their first conference championship. THS was coached by Laurie Mitchell, Becky Frese, and Marcia Sattelberg. Team members were Stephanie Teal, Kelly O’Leary, Leslie DeBels, Tina Bellile, Suzie Schell, Lori Osero, Diane DuPlayee, Julie Ziert, Dorrie Hanson and Karen Swan. Stephanie Teal was voted Lumberjack Conference Player of the Year, and Laurie Mitchell was voted Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year.
Kay Olson was voted Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
In 2000, Tomahawk was coached by Jen Pfannerstill and Dana Baalke. Team members were Jenny Wilson, Samantha Massa, Abby Bartz, Lacy Roberts, Katie Krueger, Mandy Freidel, Rosemary Janeczko, Hannah Gaedtke, Ashley Weizenicker, Lindsay Brottlund, Allie Anderson, and Melissa Derleth. THS would be conference dual champion, conference tournament champion, and regional champion. At Regionals, Tomahawk defeated Wittenberg-Birnamwood 3-2 (13-15, 11-15, 15-10, 15-11, 15-2), Colby 3-2 (15-4, 12-15, 15-13, 12-15, 15-9) and Medford 3-0 (15-13, 15-13, 15-9). As you can see, Tomahawk had to work hard for this title, but mental toughness would be their future trademark. At Sectionals, THS would lose 3-2 to La Cross Aquinas (16-14, 13-15, 15-12, 10-15, 13-15). Lacy Roberts was voted Lumberjack Conference Player of the Year, and Jen Pfannerstill is voted Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year.
Tomahawk was coached by Jen Pfannerstill, Kay Olson, and Meghan Barker in 2004. Team members were Melissa Charles, Katie Brunner, Amanda Roberats, Chauna Gessler, Jill Martin, Kim Gass, Adriana Bello, Celia Olson, Amanda Ziemer, Erica Hagar, Laura Schouweiler and Katrina Massa. THS would be co-conference dual champions with Medford, conference tournament champions, and Regional champions. A point of Interest was the scoring change for all WIAA sanctioned matches. Rally scoring, in which points are awarded on each play, regardless which team serves, would replace the traditional side out system. The conference tournament saw Tomahawk win with a 11-1 record, while Medford would end up in second with a record of 10-2. Regionals saw THS defeat Colby 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20), defeat Mosinee 3-0 (25-18, 32-30, 25-20) and then square off one more time with Medford for the Regional title. Tomahawk would defeat Medford 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-16). At Sectionals, THS would lose to Onalaska 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 12-15). Celia Olson was voted Lumberjack Conference Player of the Year and All-State Honorable Mention, and Jen Pfannerstill was voted Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year.
Jen Pfannerstill was voted Lumberjack Conference Coach of the Year in 2006
Kayla Powers was Co-Lumberjack Conference Player of the Year in 2007
In 2009, coaches were Jen Pfannerstill, Jerry Angle, Tammi Lakatos and Kay Olson. Team members were Kaitlin Doughty, Jenna Otterholt, Kaylyn Olson, Sydney Lakatos, Hannah Bailey, Larissa Miller, Anna Sudbury, Ashley Eskola, Kaylien Ogstad, Jenna Koth and Kelsey Paramore. Tomahawk won their first Regional title since 2004 when they defeated Wittenberg-Birnamwood 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 26-24) and Lakeland 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-18). THS would also win their first Sectional title in school history when they defeated West Salem 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-23) and Hayward 3-1 (25-9, 26-24, 17-25, 25-22). At State, Tomahawk would lose to Catholic Memorial 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25 17). Kaitlin Doughty was voted Great Northern Conference Player of the Year.
In 2010, Tomahawk was co-conference champions with Mosinee, Regional champions, Sectional champions and state qualifiers for the second-straight year. Jen Pfannerstill was assisted by Jerry Angle, Tammi Lakatos, and Kristina Theiler. Team members were Kaitlin Doughty, Kaylyn Olson, Jenna Otterholt, Sydney Lakatos, Kellan Flynn, Anna Sudbury, Ashley Eskola, Kaylien Ogstad, Kelsey Paramore, Hannah Bailey, Emily Garrison and Emma Wurl. Final conference standings had both THS and Mosinee at 11-1. Regional action saw Tomahawk defeat Adams-Friendship 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-13) and Wittenberg-Birnamwood 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-13). At sectionals, THS defeated Altoona 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-22) and Osceola 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-16). Once again, Tomahawk would lose in the first round at state, when they lost to Madison Edgewood 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-22).
Kaitlin Doughty was voted Great Northern Conference Player of the Year and selected to the WIAA Division 2 All-Tournament Team, while Jen Pfannerstill was voted Great Northern Conference Coach of the Year. Doughty, Kellan Flynn, and Anna Sudbury earned all-state honorable mention honors from the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association.
THS brought home the silver trophy from state in 2011. Jen Pfannerstill was assisted by Jerry Angle, Kristina Theiler, Jody Bartz and Amanda Charles. Team members were Anna Sudbury, Kellan Flynn, Kayli Ogstad, Kelsey Paramore, Emily Garrison, Maddie Garrison, Emma Wurl, Hannah Doughty, Alex DuPlayee, Amanda Schneider, Stephanie Schoone, Anna Nyberg, Sydney Myre and Mercedes Jankowski. Tomahawk was dual meet champion, tournament champion, regional champion, sectional champion, and state runner-up. The overall conference standings found Tomahawk with a 12-0 record, compared to a 7-5 record for second-place Rhinelander. Regionals saw THS defeat Lakeland 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) and Wittenberg-Birnamwood 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-18). This would give THS their sixth regional crown and the fifth in the last 11 years. Sectionals saw Tomahawk defeat Medford 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-20) and Altoona 3-0 (25-17, 25-8, 25-21). This would give THS their third sectional crown in three years. At state, Tomahawk would defeat Oconto Falls 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 26-28, 15-9) before losing to Catholic Memorial 3-0 (25-18, 13-25, 19-25).
Anna Sudbury was voted Great Northern Conference Player of the Year, while Jen Pfannerstill was voted Great Northern Conference Coach of the Year. All-State selections were Anna Sudbury-2nd team, Kellan Flynn-3rd team and Anna Nyberg-3rd team. Division 2 All-Tournament selections were Kellan Flynn and Anna Sudbury. Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All State Team selections were Kellan Flynn-3rd team and Anna Sudbury-honorable mention.
In 2012, Coaches were Jen Pfannerstill, Jerry Angle, Kristina Walters and Amanda Charles. Team members were Anna Nyberg, Alex DuPlayee, Amanda Schneider, Maddie Garrison, Stephanie Schoone, Hanna Doughty, Colynn Behling, Emily Schneider, Hannah Meyer, Hannah Feest and Megan Lee. Jen Pfannerstill resigned her teaching and coaching position after the conference tournament. Jerry Angle took over as varsity coach for the remainder of the season. THS was conference runner up at 10-2, behind Rhinelander, who was 11-1. Tomahawk would, however, secure a regional title when they defeated Lakeland 3-0 (25-8, 25-17, 25-12) and Mosinee 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21). Tomahawk won sectionals when they defeated Antigo 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13) and Barron 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22). This secured Tomahawk’s fourth sectional title in a row. At state, THS would lose to Kettle Moraine Lutheran 3-0 (18-25, 15-25, 21-25).
Amanda Charles took over as varsity coach in 2013, assisted by Jerry Angle, Kristina Walters, and Nicole Zick. Team members were Alex DuPlayee, Amanda Schneider, Maddie Garrison, Hanna Doughty, Kelly Schlinsog, Anna Nyberg, Emily Schneider, Megan Lee, Becca Doughty, Hanna Meyer, Hannah Feest, Lauren Bembinster, Haley FauFau and Colynn Behling. Emily Schneider served 24 straight points in game 1 vs. Medford. THS defeated Wausau Newman 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 28-26). At the time of this game, Tomahawk was ranked #3 in Division 2, while Newman was ranked #7 in Division 4. Tomahawk was the first conference team to have a perfect conference season, as they were conference dual champions and conference tournament champions without a single blemish on their conference record. Their 38-4 season was capped off with a regional title, where they defeated Antigo 3-0 (25-7, 25-12,-25-10) and Wittenberg-Birnamwood 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-12). Their season would come to an end at sectionals, when they lost to Altoona 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-13, 17-25, 13-15). Anna Nyberg was voted Great Northern Conference Player of the Year and Amanda Charles was voted Great Northern Conference Coach of the Year.
2014 saw Amanda (Charles) Kriese return as head coach, assisted by Jerry Angle, Kristina Walters and Jody Bartz. Team members were Courtney Theiler, Lexi Graeber, Megan Lee, Hannah Feest, Lauren Bembinster, Becca Doughty, Danaca Shore, Colynn Behling, Hanna Meyer, Emily Schneider, Anna Nyberg, Olivia Pintens, Haley FauFau and Maggie Latzig. Tomahawk would have a 34-4 season and once again be perfect in conference with a 12-0 record. Regionals saw THS defeat Lakeland 3-0 (25-11, 25-7, 25-7), Antigo 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-12), and Rhinelander 3-0 (25-15, 25-11, 25-16). A fifth sectional title was earned when Tomahawk defeated Altoona 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) and Barron 3-1 (25-13, 25-21, 20-25, 28-26). A second silver trophy would be earned at state when THS defeated Waupun 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 14-25, 25-20) before losing to Catholic Memorial 3-0 (11-25, 20-25, 20-25). Anna Nyberg was voted Great Northern Conference Player of the Year, while Amanda Kriese was voted Great Northern Conference Coach of the Year. Nyberg and Hanna Meyer were recognized as members of the Division 2 All-Tournament Team.
Hanna Meyer was named Wisconsin’s Volleyball Player of the Week by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association in 2015.