One of the state's top-ranked high school volleyball teams has already been disqualified from postseason play. Westosha Central found out it's because of a scheduling error.
The Falcons' varsity volleyball team played in one too many tournaments, deeming them ineligible. Girls on the team say they shouldn't be the ones punished.
"We can't really do anything right now,” said senior Kaeley Mueler. “We need our administration to help us."
After winning a conference championship and locking down the No. 1 seed in regionals, the Falcons were notified Monday they are ineligible for postseason play.
"It's devastating and honestly it's really hard, because this has been such a fun team to play with all year," said senior Sarah Blair.
The school district has since appealed the decision by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. The team followed their appeal with a trip to WIAA headquarters Tuesday to plead their case.
"I'm glad that they're advocating for themselves," said Westosha Central Athletic Director Jon Lindh.
Lindh says the school self-reported the scheduling error, an issue the WIAA has dealt with before, however never overturned.
"(I) feel terrible,” said Lindh. “It's a travesty for the five seniors on the team."
In the meantime, those seniors still have their sights set on state, with college recruiting on the line. Now it’s just a waiting game.
”If it came back in our favor, we would obviously rebuild from that," said Blair.
The Falcons are hoping to find out if their appeal is successful by Friday, but time is not on their side. They were supposed to hit the court on Saturday night for regional play.
