Bay Port volleyball drops state title match in straight sets

ASHWAUBENON – Entering the WIAA Division 1 volleyball state championship match against Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA), Bay Port faced a tall task against a team loaded with Division I prospects. 

Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Pirates (26-9) dropped their final match of the season in straight sets – 25-19, 25-11, 25-23 – to the Dashers on Nov. 7 at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. 

For DSHA (45-4), it was its fourth Division 1 state title in the last five seasons. 

“It wasn’t the start we wanted in the match, but DSHA came out ready to play, and we started slow,” Bay Port Coach Mackenzie Hurst said. “I liked our fight at the end, but DSHA is a great volleyball team – we knew it would be tough.” 

Trailing 15-8 at the media timeout in the first set, the Pirates scored five of the next six points to cut the lead to 16-13, but the Dashers regained control and won going away. 

In Set 2, DSHA jumped out to a 13-1 lead and was never threatened thereafter. 

Set 3 was Bay Port’s best effort of the match, but DSHA’s Harper Wendlick – a Xavier University recruit – hammered down nine kills to help the Dashers regain the title a year after they lost to Hamilton in straight sets in 2025. 

Wendlick led all players with her 20 kills. 

“I’m proud of the way we played today, and we knew Bay Port would be a tough opponent – they played great in the state tournament,” DSHA Coach Caitie Ratkowski said. “Bay Port battled back in the third, but we buckled down and put the match away.” 

Senior Brenna Derousseau led the Pirates with 14 kills, while junior Alexia Stevens added 10. 

Senior Meghan Bruss recorded 28 assists and nine digs, while senior Taylor Russell added eight digs. 

For the eight seniors leaving the Bay Port program, Hurst said they’ve left a lasting legacy that will help the underclassmen going forward.

“We were a top-heavy team with eight seniors,” she said. “I’ve had them in the gym every day since June 1. It will be different to not see them every day, but I’m proud of them and the legacy they have left. I’m so glad our younger players got to experience this with this group of seniors.”