Will the K's Have It: A Preview of Boys Sectional 1

This is the first stop on our 28-day journey through every boys and girls WIAA volleyball sectional. We're trying our level best to provide coverage that's fair and comprehensive, but oversights and errors will occur. The good news is we can make corrections relatively quickly (unless we're out of town, which we will be this weekend). In any event, let us know what we're missing, and we'll improve these posts over time. Thanks.

Eventually, it will all come down to a single sectional final match to be contested at Appleton North High School on Thursday, November 6. That's when everyone will find out which of seven schools will play in the state tournament quarterfinals at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Wauwatosa. So will it be Appleton East, Appleton North, Appleton West, Green Bay Preble/East, Green Bay West/Southwest, Kaukauna or Kimberly?

The early buzz is that the K's will indeed have it, with either Kaukauna or Kimberly punching a ticket to Tosa. And who are we to argue? Both squads, together with 2007 state quarterfinalist Appleton North, were part of a three-way tie for the Fox Valley title.

Kimberly lost several to graduation, including all-staters Chris and Matt Seidl, and all-area setter Rob Beck. But they return a number of '09s, including 6'3" middle Mike McDermott.

Meanwhile, Kaukauna only lost two to graduation (one was all-state middle Ethan Van Cuyk). Returning Galloping Ghosts who should make a key contribution include seniors Ryan Heinritz (a powerful lefty) and Domenic Judkins.

Appleton North lost a premier outside in Parker Gross, but they return 6' 7" junior Mickey Flynn, whose 36 assists in last year's state quarterfinal almost propelled North over Tosa East. And 10 of those assists were dished out to then-junior Brad English.

Senior Bee Yang will presumably return to set for Appleton East, with the only other senior appearing to be outside hitter Tommy Moriarty. MB Noah Mader will be a junior worth watching.

We don't know enough about Appleton West, Green Bay Preble/East or Green Bay West/Southwest to say anything intelligent. At least not yet. If we get something, we'll add it to this post.

The last thing to mention about sectional one is that the light at the end of this particular "Ticket to Tosa" tunnel might be that of an oncoming train. You see, we believe the winner gets the thankless task of playing a quarterfinal match against the sectional seven winner (widely considered to be, no surprise here, Milwaukee Marquette).

Our prediction: Kaukauna over Kimberly in a five-game thriller, which would mark their 15th state tournament appearance.

Tomorrow: Boys Sectional 2