Germantown denies Nicolet fifth-straight state berth in volleyball sectional final

Glendale - Just five years into its short, up-and-down history, the Germantown boys volleyball team is making its first trip to the WIAA state tournament courtesy of a thrilling 22-25, 25-22, 16-25, 26-24, 15-12 victory over North Shore rival Nicolet on Nov. 3.

The stunning result left Germantown coach Brian Rushmer, who was there at the beginning of the program when it held just club status, stunned at the accomplishment.

"I've never felt this good in my whole life," he said, "… A lot of these guys have been around a long time, including years where they just got killed. One year we had (two-time all-state basketball player) Ben (Averkamp), and we did OK because we just kept setting him, but then we got people like Zak and Jake (Showalter) to come out, and then things started to happen.

"I am just so proud of these guys, and I'm hoping that this is just the beginning of a tradition here. I'm not going anywhere, and I think we're here to stay (as a team)."

Nicolet coach Brad Kuehl was not surprised at the result. Rushmer is one of the coaches in Kuehl's off-season club program.

"Brian has done a great job with that program," Kuehl said. "He always gets a lot out of his players."

The Knights, 2008 and 2009 state runners-up, were going for their fifth straight WIAA tournament berth.

Germantown advances to a WIAA state quarterfinal against Rushmer's alma mater Wauwatosa East on at 5 p.m. Friday at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Mulcahy leads Knights

And, as noted, the Warhawks had to earn it.

The Knights, riding the strong arm of senior outside hitter and likely all-stater Dan Mulcahy (school match record 28 kills), had a two games-to-one lead and broke out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth game.

The advantage was still 16-12 when the Warhawks went on a 4-0 run, highlighted by kills from senior outside hitter Matt Schultz and Zak Showalter and a critical block in the middle that tied the score.

Nicolet got the lead back at 18-16 and again at 19-17 before Germantown went ahead 22-20 on a big kill by Luke Fischer.

Mulcahy then tied the score with a kill and an ace, and then it went back-and-forth until it was tied at 24. It looked like Nicolet had gained the critical advantage on a Warhawks hit that went long, but it was ruled a touch at the net, so Germantown got the point.

Zak Showalter then tied the match at two-games all with a tip kill at the far edge of the net.

"We just had to stay with it and get points when we needed them," Schultz said. "We knew that if we'd get one or two that we'd be right back on track."

Nicolet gained a 2-0 lead in the shortened, tense fifth game, as there were eight ties and the lead changed hands three times.

A kill by Mulcahy gave Nicolet its last advantage at 11-10, but then the Warhawks went on a 4-0 run to take control. In that run, were two critical blocks of Mulcahy on the outside that eventually led the Warhawks points.

"He is such a load," said sophomore middle blocker Averkamp, "because he has all the shots. You just have to try and watch his arm angle to see if you can get anything (of the ball)."

Fans storm the court

After a service error by Germantown made it 14-12, Zak Showalter's kill caused the Warhawks fans to storm the court in excitement. Kuehl didn't appreciate that, as one of his players got accidently knocked over in the melee, which was quickly cleared so awards ceremonies could take place.

Kuehl said he was disappointed and that it'll be odd to go to the tournament as just a spectator.

"I am proud," he said. "Our guys did everything right. They (the Warhawks) just made a few more plays than we did. Give credit to them, they got the block up when they really needed it.

"Dan (Mulcahy) played an incredible match. He did everything a senior leader could do and more."