Shorthanded Gladstone Girls Winless In Wisconsin

CLINTONDALE, Wis.---The Gladstone High School girls volleyball team lost all five of its matches at the Clintondale Invitational in Wisconsin on Saturday.

The Braves played without three top players: Jess Beaudry (injury), and Callie Jensen and Summer Demeuse (SAT tests).

In pool play, the Braves opened the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Marion (Wis.) by scores of 17-25, 25-20, 7-15.

"We started off strong, but then relaxed and gave away the momentum," Gladstone Coach Liz Gendron said. "We made way too many mental errors."

In the second match, Gladstone lost to Owen-Withee (Wis.) by 25-9 and 25-11.

"We played very intimidated," Gendron said of that match. "Never got any rally points going."

And in the third match, the Braves lost to Ripon (Wis.) 25-10, 25-18.

"We started to play again," Gendron said. "But we couldn't take advantage of their free passes. Lexi (Hongisto) has been a great force hitting outside, and Kelsey (Fournier) has done a good job of stepping in and setting."

Gladstone later lost two more matches in the consolation bracket to end up 0-5.

"I hope this young team is learning a lot today," Gendron said. "They definitely have shown that they can play competitive (volleyball)."

The Braves return to action Tuesday night at home against Menominee.