Six teams make up boys sectional seven: Marquette, Pius XI, Waukesha North, Waukesha South, West Allis Central and West Allis Hale. Meaning no disrespect to the other five, Marquette is clearly the odds-on favorite.But more on that in a moment.
First, let's look at the five teams that will try to give Marquette a run for its money, starting with Pius XI. The Popes will be led by senior all-state outside hitter Dave Maternowski. He's a tremendous force and should receive significant help from senior libero and second-team all-Classic Eight performer, Peter Rebholz. Pius also returns their setter, senior Anthony Kosinski.
West Allis Hale will have senior outside hitter Adam Cosson leading the charge. He was second team all-conference in the Greater Metro. Junior Dylan Hardwick will also play a key role. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors in the Greater Metro last season. (Side note: We're going to reference various all-conference honors a lot in the next few paragraphs, and here's a link to the lists.)
West Allis Central should also make some noise, returning seniors Bobby Gnatzig (second team all-Greater Metro) and Ryan Ford (honorable mention all-Greater Metro).
We don't know much about Waukesha North other than they lost a quality '08 in Zak Kzasnika. Ditto for Waukesha South, which lost '08 star Wade Miller. Does anyone know anything we don't. We'll gladly update.
Now back to Marquette.
The WIAA site states the following: "Since the return of the Tournament Series, Marquette has won the championship four times (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007)." Since that 2007 championship team had eight juniors and one sophomore, how can they not be a favorite to win sectional seven, the quarters, the semis and their fifth championship in the last seven years?
Let's take it position by position: They have two of the best middles in the state in seniors Jack Geary and Tom Niswonger, one of the best setters in the state in junior Pete Heinen and one of the top outsides in the country in second-team all-state senior Alex Becherer. Add a solid supporting cast in Jack Hauser, Dan Thew, Matt Macci and Nate Kohlenberg, and you have yourself a favorite.
There is, of course, a reason they play the matches (and we can't wait), but our prediction for sectional seven is still Marquette over West Allis Hale in three.
Tomorrow: Boys Sectional Eight
2 comments:
mike holzbauer is the player you are referring to for pius. however, he graduated last year and wasn't their starting setter. anthony kozinski is the returning starting setter and he'll be a senior this year.
Thanks for helping out and we apologize to Mr. Kozinski for the oversight. As we figure things out on our end, we'll contine to make glaring errors like this. For that, we apologize. Over time, however, every piece of information will help us get smarter and smarter. Together, we can shine a spotlight on boys volleyball in the state. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
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