Will the Cardinals Remember the Flight Path to Ashwaubenon? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Three

2008 RECAP
Middleton defeated Madison West in three in the 2008 sectional final. Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial were the other sectional semifinalists. As a sidenote, the battle between West and Memorial was an epic five-setter that finished 18-16 in the final set.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Baraboo Two Thunderbirds, juniors Alexis Jones and Jade Farmer, played for a very strong Sauk PoWer 16s team this past club season.
  
• De Forest Junior Megan Marquardt was honorable mention Badger North all-conference last season.
  
• Holmen Senior setter Talia Smith was honorable mention Mississippi Valley all-conference last season.
• La Crosse Central The Red Raiders are in the Mississippi Valley conference. They graduated eight seniors last season, but returning players include four seniors, six juniors and sophomore right side/middle Amanda Thorson.
  
• La Crosse Logan Senior middle Michelle Mueller was first-team Mississippi Valley all-conference last season for the Rangers. Junior setter Abby Wiedman was honorable mention.
• Madison East The Purgolders are in the Big Eight conference. Sophomore middle Sonja Burnson played for a very strong Capital 15s team this past club season.
  
• Madison La Follette The Lancers will, of course, be counting on junior Crystal Graff, a Badger recruit.
• Madison Memorial They graduated 2008 honorable mention all-stater Taylor Beebe. Senior outside Tori Nelson could also be a key contributor.
  
• Madison West The Regents will look for key contributions from sophomore Vic Ili. If anyone has more information on this team, e-mail vbuberalles@gmail.com. Thanks.
  
• Middleton The Cardinals will rely again on senior outside Molly Toon (435 kills in 2008). Among her other accolades, she's a Michigan recruit and second-team all-state selection. Sophomore Kasey Williams (959 assists in 2008) will likely quarterback the offense once again. Other key contributors could include senior middle Andrea Barman (55 solo blocks and 30 block assists in 2008), senior middle Danielle Prochaska (123 kills in 2008) and senior outside Laura McGinnis (91 kills in 2008).
  
• Oregon Junior Briana Wethal was second-team Badger South all-conference last season for the Panthers. They'll also look to senior Alexandra Bresser for key contributions.
  
• Stoughton Senior setter/outside Mereta Monsen was honorable mention all-state and first-team Badger South all-conference last season. The Vikings will have replace the offense of middle Ali Wahlin, currently a freshman at St. Thomas University in Minnesota.
  
• Sun Prairie The Cardinals are in the Big Eight and will likely get key contributions from senior setter Emily McCourt, and senior outside Kortney Krueger.
• Tomah Senior Erin Dechant was honorable mention Missisissippi Valley all-conference last season for the Indians.
  
• Verona Only three seniors return, but they have a talented group of underclassmen, led by sophomore Jillian Bauer, who was first-team all-conference last season.
  
• Waunakee Senior Crystal Ziegler was first-team Badger North all-conference last season. Junior middle Hailie Ripley was second-team.

OUR PREDICTION
Middleton over Madison West in four.

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Madison La Follette finished second at the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Invitational, 8/28-29
• Middleton finished tied for third at the Middleton Invite, 9/19/09