Here's another sectional that will have a 2008 representative at the Resch Center that wasn't there in 2007. That's because last year's sectional champion, Watertown, has moved on to sectional five. The competition to earn that available spot will no doubt be fierce, as our recent poll evidences. But enough with the set-up: Let's get right to it.Contenders: Baraboo, DeForest, Holmen, La Crosse Central, La Crosse Logan, Madison East, Madison La Follette, Madison Memorial, Madison West, Middleton, Monona Grove, Sauk Prairie, Sun Prairie, Tomah and Waunakee.
Top Finishers Last Year: Waunakee lost in the sectional final to Watertown. Both Sun Prairie and La Crosse Logan reached sectional semifinals.
Random Notes: Sun Prairie took first in our poll, probably on the strength of their fine performance last year. Look for solid numbers from senior outside Jessica Sempf and junior middle Paige Albi. Senior outside Elizabeth Yakey should also rack up stats, both offensively and defensively.
At Middleton, senior outside Kirby Toon, a Wisconsin recruit, is poised to have a breakout year. Her younger sister, junior outside Molly Toon, should also make a key contribution. Look for a nice contribution from junior middle Andrea Barman and sophomore middle Erin Bond as well.
Madison West features the huge outside swing of Boston College recruit Morgan Fry-Pasic, as well as a talented underclass that includes sophomore right side Phoebe Hertz and junior setter Elizabeth Koberstein.
Madison Memorial has two seniors, Heidi Gors and Taylor Beebe, who took their Wisconsin Select 17-1 team deep into the JOs this summer. Monona Grove has one of their club teammates, senior Abbey Freund, as well as senior middle Aly Bulman and junior outside Monica Anderson.
Waunakee graduated two future D2 players, Tassia Hegyi (Truman State) and Mallory Palmer (Northern Michigan), but returns plenty of talent, including senior outside Libby Burkle.
Madison La Follette has one of the top sophomores in the country in outside hitter Crystal Graff. She was, after all, honorable mention all-state as a freshman. Seniors Laura Sweeney and Kathryn Wundrow should also make contributions. (Note #1: Many of the players featured above are easily referenced on the Capital Volleyball Academy site, one of the best club Web sites in the state.)
Our Prediction: Sun Prairie over Middleton in five. (Note #2: We're assuming sectionals like this one which aren't currently divided into regionals won't be divided into regionals at seeding time. If we're mistaken, so will be this prediction.)
Next Up: Girls Division One Sectional Four
2 comments:
I think Abbey Freund is a Junior. Crystal Graf is injured and may not see the floor for some time at La Follette.
That's too bad about Crystal. She played club against us and was a terrific player.
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