The Sturgeon Bay varsity volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a strong performance Tuesday at the JustAgame Season Opener in Wisconsin Dells, finishing 3–1 overall and taking second place in the Gold Division.

 

The Clippers started the day with a straight-set victory over Weyauwega-Fremont, 25–21, 25–20. Sturgeon Bay followed with another convincing performance in pool play, defeating Madison West, 25–17, 25–14, to finish pool competition undefeated and advance to the Gold Division playoffs.

 

In the Gold semifinal, Sturgeon Bay faced its first three-set battle of the season against Wonewoc-Center. The Clippers took the opening set 25–21 before Wonewoc-Center responded with a 25–18 win in the second. Sturgeon Bay came through when it mattered in the deciding set, earning a hard-fought 15–13 victory to advance to the Gold championship.

 

The Clippers met Marathon in the championship and again came out strong, winning the opening set 25–20. Marathon responded by taking the second set 25–17 before winning the deciding set 15–9. The loss was Sturgeon Bay’s only defeat of the day and gave the Clippers a second-place finish in the Gold Division.

 

Sturgeon Bay finished the tournament 3–1 overall and 7–3 in sets, with contributions coming from throughout the lineup.

 

Audrey Harrington led the offense with 22 kills. Reen Walker and Izzy Schoeneman each added approximately 14 kills, giving Sturgeon Bay multiple attacking options throughout the day. Setter Makenna Coyhis directed the offense with an estimated 51 assists.

 

The season-opening tournament provided an encouraging first test for a Sturgeon Bay roster featuring six returning players with previous varsity experience along with a strong group of freshmen. The Clippers showed their ability to win in different ways, sweeping both pool-play opponents before responding under pressure in a three-set Gold semifinal.

 

Sturgeon Bay leaves Wisconsin Dells with a 3–1 record, a Gold Division runner-up finish and a strong start to the 2026 season.