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Posted October 23, 2007

Assumption's fall teams find success

In recent years the winter and spring sports have been the focal point of attention at Assumption High School.

Last year the boys basketball team captured a share of its first Marawood Conference title and just two years ago the girls made a surprise trip to the state tournament.

In the spring, softball is queen and the baseball team reached the sectional tournament last year.

This fall, however, it has been the football and volleyball teams' turn.

The Royals football team takes a 6-3 record into the playoffs for the first time since 2001, while the volleyball team will play in its first WIAA sectional since joining the public school's athletic association.

"It's been exciting around school," athletic director Joe Birkhauser said. "The first thing I hear at school and around town from people is how excited they are for our kids. I'm happy for the coaches and athletes in both programs. It's great to see them have success."

The football team snapped a 19-game losing skid the second game of the season and put together two winning streaks, one for two games and the other was three.

While the success the football team is having is largely credited to the senior class, the seniors are quick to credit everyone in the program as part of the success story.

Having seen the Royals twice this year on the gridiron, it's easy to see there is a renewed enthusiasm for the sport.

The linemen block harder and the backs lower their shoulder to gain that extra yard.

Those are just a few of the little things that go with being successful in a sport like football.

The volleyball team finally jumped the hurdle from the regional to the sectional behind a momentum-filled weekend.

Last Friday, the Royals avenged a regular-season loss to top-seeded Port Edwards and then dropped No. 2 seed Rosholt in three games on Saturday.

"The success both teams are having is a real boost for their programs," Birkhauser said.

And finally, if people haven't taken their seats yet, don't worry there is still room to climb aboard the Royal blue express.