ECI wins state net championship

The best team in the Dairyland Conference also proved to be the best in the state in Division Five volleyball play.

Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran cruised through the Dairyland Conference slate and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association play to win the Division Five state championship, 3-1, over Columbus Catholic on Saturday.

The Lancers (38-4) hadn’t lost a single set in WIAA play until the state semifinal when Sheboygan Christian won the second set to tie the match, 1-1. ECI rebounded with two wins, 25-20 and 25-19 to advance to the state championship.

ECI dominated the first set of the state championship match with a 25-10 win before Columbus Catholic won the second, 25-23. But the Lancers won the pivotal third set, 25-19, and went on for a 25-21 win in the fourth for the state title.