Rockets’ historic season comes with rewards

The best season in recent memory for the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School volleyball team had the Big East Conference coaches take notice.
Four Rockets were named to the all-conference team, and two of those — Madisyn Johnson and Lauren Lueth — earned all-state honorable mention from the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association.
Johnson, the team’s senior setter, was named to the Big East Blue Division first team.
She led the team with 457 assists and 84 aces, many on bullet-like serves. She also made 238 digs, but Johnson’s value went well beyond the stat line.
“Madisyn is always calm under pressure, which is an amazing quality to have in a sport like volleyball. As a captain, her strong leadership gave her team confidence to play at a high level without fear,” coach Cailey Jeske-Winker said.
“Her aces stem from her ability to spot serve anywhere we ask her to on the court.”
Junior middle hitter Lauren Lueth was named to the Big East Blue second team.
She led the Rockets with 219 kills and led the Big East in hitting percentage at .308. She was second on the team with 77 aces and added 83 digs.
“Lauren is very impressive at a young age. She plays confidentially and communicates well with her setters on what she needs,” Jeske-Winker said.
“Her hitting percentage really made her stand out in conference. Not only is she a strong presence at the net, but she also rarely makes errors.”
Senior outside hitter Olivia Bahr was named to the second team for the second straight season.
She had 198 kills, 235 digs and 30 aces.
“Olivia made key plays in important moments this season,” Jeske-Winker said.
“She has a natural leadership ability where she pushes her teammates to be better every single day, which is why she was voted as one of our captains. She was second in kills and third in digs on our team.”
Senior libero Audrey Lueth, Lauren’s older sister, patrolled the back and kept balls alive even when her coach didn’t think it was possible.
Lueth led the Rockets with 394 digs. She also had 73 assists and 17 aces.
“Audrey was amazing this season. She made so many digs where you don’t think she will get to the ball, but her pure determination gets her there,” Jeske-Winker said.
“She gave 100% every game and was the leader of our defense in every way. She led the team in digs and was third in assists.”
The Rockets finished 4-2 and in second place in the Big East Blue Division behind powerhouse Howards Grove’s 6-0 mark.
Cedar Grove-Belgium went on to win a regional plaque for the first time in decades and advanced to the sectional final. Bonduel beat the Rockets, 25-11, 28-26, 25-23.
The Rockets finished 24-9 on the season.
Ozaukee senior setter and outside hitter Kaylee Steadman received honorable mention.
She led the Warriors in digs with 173, assists with 163, kills with 126 and aces with 38. She was second in serve-receives with 181.
“Kaylee grew so much this season both mentally and physically. She was able to stay out of her head and stay in the game for the team. She was a great teammate, never giving up on her team,” coach Samantha Kroeger said.
“With leading the team in three stat categories and second in two, her physicality that she brought to the team and mental game speak for themselves. She was very smart on the court, covered a majority of it and was able to read the other side when hitting or setter dumps.”
Ozaukee finished 1-6 and was sixth of seven teams in the Big East Blue Division. While at face value that result doesn’t look impressive, it’s a step forward for the program.
The Warriors won their first conference victory since 2021. It came at rival Random Lake in a thriller on Sept. 12. Ozaukee won, 22-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 16-14.
Steadman had eight kills, 14 digs and 28 assists.
Category:
Feedback:
Click Here to Send a Letter to the EditorOzaukee Press
Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
125 E. Main St.
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-3494