Who Will Be the Top Hilltoppers in 2010? A Preview of Girls Division Four Sectional Four

CONTENDERS

Regional A: Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah, Green Lake, Hilbert, Kohler, Oakfield, Princeton, Sheboygan Lutheran, Stockbridge

Regional B: Carmen, Eastbrook, Hustisford, Lake Country Lutheran, Living Word Lutheran, Salem, Sheboygan Christian, University Lake

Regional C: Abundant Life, Cambria-Friesland, Central Wisconsin Christian, Fall River, Johnson Creek, Randolph, Rio

Regional D: Albany, Black Hawk, Catholic Central, Faith Christian, Juda, Monticello, Williams Bay

2009 RECAP

Manitowoc Lutheran over Catholic Central in three (Note: Manitowoc Lutheran has moved to Division 3 for the 2010 playoffs)

2010 RANDOM NOTES

Regional A

• Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Three returning Resorters earned honorable mention Central Lakeshore all-conference honors last fall: senior Abby Neils and juniors Beth Merten and Rachel Knowles.
• Green Lake Senior Megan Sharkey was second-team Trailways North all-conference last season.
• Hilbert Lots of seniors judging from the roster link to the left. The Wolves graduated both players who were on made Olympian all-conference last season.
• Kohler Senior Carissa Gartman was honorable mention Central Lakeshore all-conference for the Blue Bombers last season.
• Oakfield Junior Kalyn Hungerford was first-team Trailways North all-conference last season and senior Kayla Rymer was honorable mention. The Oaks are predicted to finish fourth in conference according to this WisSports.net preview.
• Princeton Senior Ashley Mashuda was honorable mention Trailways North all-conference last season. Sophomore setter Hannah Ashlock and junior Skye Mabry should also be key contributors for the Tigers this season.
• Sheboygan Lutheran Senior Chloe Van Der Weele was honorable mention Central Lakeshore all-conference in 2009.
• Stockbridge Senior Mel Mader was honorable mention Central Lakeshore all-conference last season.

Regional B

• Carmen We don't have any information about this team.
• Eastbrook Academy We don't have any information about this team, either.
• Hustisford Senior Brandi Peltier was second-team Trailways South all-conference last season.
• Lake Country Lutheran Junior Emily Wineinger was first-team Midwest Classic North all-conference last season.
• Living Word Lutheran Junior Taylor Luce was honorable mention Midwest Classic North all-conference in 2009. According to onpackerland, who ranked them No. 9 in his D4 preview, they also return sophomore setter Katrina Klotz, as well as junior Chanel Stel, and senior middles Kayla Herget and Anna Klotz.
• Salem School We don't have any information about this team.
• Sheboygan Christian The Eagles graduated their sole representative on the 2009 Central Lakeshore conference list.
• University Lake School We don't have any information about this team.

Regional C

• Abundant Life/Madison Country Day According to this Trailways South preview, juniors Michelle Wentz and Charissa Wright led the team in kills and blocks last season. Junior Kira Francis could split time at setter with senior Amy Busch.
• Cambria-Friesland Ranked No. 10 overall by onpackerland in his D4 preview, the Hilltoppers are poised to make a serious run in the playoffs. They're led by senior outside Arianna Wiersma, two-time Trailways North player of the year and senior setter Kayla Wiersma, who was second-team all-conference last season. Other returnees include junior middle Brittany Wiersma, senior middle Sydney Bancroft-Hart and senior defensive specialist Lauren Gram.
• Central Wisconsin Christian They lost three Trailways North all-conference performers, but return junior middle Joeli Huever and senior right side Becca Smits, according to WisSports.net's Trailways North preview.
• Fall River The Pirates return super sophomore Hailey Koch, who earned second-team Trailways South all-conference accolades last season as a freshman. According to this Trailways South preview, other returnees include senior Chelsey Klecker, junior setter Dawn Tramburg and sophomore outside Kendall Foley.
• Johnson Creek The Bluejays graduate three first-team Trailways South all-conference performers from last year -- and one second-teamer. Senior middle Laura Karwacki will be a key returnee.
• Randolph They return senior outside Brittany Tonn, junior Myriel Werner, who was honorable mention Trailways North all-conference last season, plus junior setter Allie Omen, senior setter Kylee Nelson and junior defensive specialist Jami Nelson.
• Rio Senior Chelsey Reierson was honorable mention Trailways South all-conference last season. They also return senior libero Amberley Canales, sophomore setters Sara Thompson and Mary Strause, as well as senior middle Erica Reierson, according to this Trailways South preview.

Regional D

• Albany Senior leadership will be no problem for the Comets this season. Senior outside Sydney Bump was first-team Six Rivers East all-conference and player of the year in 2009. She was joined on first-team by senior Kaitlyn Schultz. In addition, senior Clare Koopmans was second-team and senior Hilary Best was honorable mention.
• Black Hawk Senior Alyssa Pieffer was first-team Six Rivers East all-conference in 2009 and Rachel Rygh was honorable mention.
• Catholic Central Junior Danielle Stoppenbach was a second-team Midwest Classic South all-conference player last season. Ranked No. 3 overall by onpackerland, others who will likely make a key contribution include junior libero Britte Schneider and sophomore middle Maggie Smith.
• Faith Christian The WisSports.net roster link to the left identifies senior setter Julie Gregonik, junior opposite Suzanne Knudtson and senior defensive specialist Emily Mack as potential contributors this season.
• Juda Senior Heather Boeke was second-team Six Rivers East all-conference in 2009.
• Monticello Senior Taylor Pfeuti was honorable mention Six Rivers East all-conference last season.
• Williams Bay From the Trailways South preview on WisSports.net: "Sophomore Claire Canda, junior Kristina Rodriguez and sophomore Claudia Wautlet all played in over half of the Bulldog's games last season."

PREDICTION

Cambria-Friesland over Lake Country Lutheran in five.

Next: Girls Division Three Sectional One