Will the Red Raiders Raid the Resch Again: A Preview of Girls Division Three Sectional Two

Here's our day-late look at girls division three sectional two. We'll try to get back on schedule tomorrow with reviews of sectionals three and four. Until then, it's time to talk about some of the greatest hyphenated schools the world has ever known. Can you say Weyawauga-Fremont? How about Owen-Withee or Iola-Scandinavia? Love it.

REGIONAL A

Contenders: Auburndale, Colby, Owen-Withee, Pittsville, Spencer, Stanley-Boyd, Stratford and
Thorp.

Top Finisher Last Year: Auburndale lost to Marathon in a 15-13 fifth-game sectional final.

Random Notes: Stanley-Boyd won the Cloverbelt East last year, but they're losing a lot in Marquette recruit Holly Mertens. Colby has seniors Katie Rau and Lauren Lieders. Owen-Withee will counter with sophomore Anna Goerlitz. Auburndale loses a lot of '08s, including all-state outside Heather Kulibert, but they will return junior libero Reba Berger.

REGIONAL B

Contenders: Amherst, Crandon, Edgar, Marathon, Menominee Indian, Newman Catholic, Pacelli and Three Lakes.

Top Finisher Last Year: Edgar lost to Marathon in a regional final.

Random Notes: Amherst has an all-conference performer in junior middle Kate Glodowski and Pacelli features another in sophomore setter Laura Raflik. Senior Anita Hoffman returns to a Newman team that lost in last year's playoffs to eventual state semifinalist Marathon, which brings back senior middles Megan Elliott and Paige Wirkus.

REGIONAL C

Contenders: Bonduel, Coleman, Crivitz, Gillett, Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa, Peshtigo and Weyauwega-Fremont.

Top Finisher Last Year: Bonduel lost to Marathon in the sectional semifinals.

Random Notes: Weyawauga-Fremont is a perennial power and features junior middle Christie Struck and senior middle/opposite Devery DeSantis. Others with all-conference stars include Manawa with senior outside Ashley Braun, Bonduel with junior middle Jennifer Woldt and junior libero Ariel Hancock, and Iola-Scandinavia with sophomore right side Janelle Gerds.

REGIONAL D

Contenders: Algoma, Brillion, Kewaunee, Mishicot, Oshkosh Lourdes, Reedsville, Sevastopol and Shiocton.

Top Finisher Last Year: Mishicot lost to Oostburg in a sectional semifinal.

Random Notes: Lourdes will be put to the test by sectional newcomer Mishicot, which made a serious run in the tournament last year before running into eventual D3 runner-up Oostburg.

Our prediction: Marathon over Mishicot in four.

Next Up: Girls Division Three Sectional Three