Editor's Note: “A Look at Times Gone By” is an in-depth look at weekly Times Gone By entries compiled since 2015. These articles represent the history of Washington County sports.
The Arlington High School volleyball team claimed second during the 1996 Capitol Conference Tournament, losing a 17-19, 17-15, 15-7 final to Bennington.
Eagles head coach Jennifer Hascall said her team played with heart throughout the weekend tourney, which included victories against Syracuse (16-14, 15-5) and Conestoga (15-8, 15-5).
“They really stepped it up for the tournament all the way around,” she said.
AHS jumped out to an 11-3 lead during the first championship set against Bennington before the Badgers battled back. Eagles junior Jaime Martens finally broke the 17-17 tie with an ace before Rachel Volnek slammed a kill for set point.
Volnek and Kristle Neuhalfen later helped Arlington score seven-straight points in the second set before Bennington won it. Bennington's Erica Backhuus, however, dominated the third set to pull off the win.
“Bennington made some good kills at some good times,” Hascall said.
Volnek, meanwhile, led the Eagles with 13 kills in the match. K.C. Hilgenkamp added 13 digs and Liz Thompson had 30 assists in defeat.
Overall, Arlington finished 13-8 in 1996, including the 2-1 conference tourney showing.
