Will Memorial Make a Memorable Trip North This Fall? A Preview of Girls Division Two Sectional Four

2008 RECAP

Catholic Memorial defeated Kettle Moraine Lutheran in four. Sheboygan Falls and Thomas More were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

Regional A

• Campbellsport The Cougars graduated two honorable mention Eastern Wisconsin all-conference players. They took the No. 2 regional seed Sheboygan Falls to four in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Chilton The Tigers are in the Olympian. They fell to Valders in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Mayville The Cardinals are in the Wisconsin Flyway. They lost to Port Washington in the first round of the playoffs last season.
• North Fond du Lac The Orioles are in the Wisconsin Flyway. We're looking for more information on this team.
• Plymouth Junior Clarice Hnilicka was honorable mention Eastern Wisconsin all-conference last season.
• Sheboygan Falls The Falcons graduated first-team Eastern Wisconsin all-conference player Steph Hasler, but return two honorable mention all-conference juniors in Brooke Buehler and Sydney Albrecht. They should be a leading candidate to win this regional again in 2009.
• Valders The Vikings are in the Olympian and lost to Sheboygan Falls in the second round of last season's playoffs.

Regional B

• Brown Deer Senior Monique Morris was third-team all-state last season, as well as Woodland North player of the year. Junior Ariel Feiertag was honorable mention all-conference for the Falcons.
• Grafton The Black Hawks are in the North Shore. They took Kewaskum to five in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Kettle Moraine Lutheran Even though they lost North Dakota State freshman Andrea Henning, the Chargers return senior libero Kristin Wetzel, senior outside Rachel Spaeth, junior right side Kirsten Henning and junior middle Laura Zeamer. Running the offense again this season will be three-year setter, third-team all-stater and South Dakota recruit Tori Kroll.
• Kewaskum Senior Lauren Gonring was first-team Eastern Wisconsin all-conference last season and senior Elissa Miller was honorable mention for the Indians. Look for contributions from senior Erika Heberer as well.
• Port Washington The Pirates are in the North Shore. They fell to Brown Deer in the second round of last season's playoffs.
• Shorewood The Greyhounds graduated two Woodland North all-conference players, including first-teamer Erica Resinger. Their roster will likely have a lot of sophomores and juniors in key roles.
• Whitefish Bay The Blue Dukes are in the North Shore and return senior Maggie Rice.

Regional C (in which you shall find two in-state NCAA DI recruits)

• Catholic Memorial The Crusaders were one victory short of a state championship, but return many key players, including junior Kelli Browning, a Wisconsin Badgers recruit, junior Patti Abshire, a second-team all-state selection, junior Aly Kujawa, junior Kate Acker, another second-team all-state selection, sophomore Kaitlynn Hastings, sophomore Greta Davis and sophomore Nicole Welsh. They're the No. 1 seed in the August 28-29 Joust tournament and considered by many to be the top team in the state this season, regardless of division.
• East Troy Senior Jessica Martin was first-team Rock Valley North all-conference. Junior Katie Ledwell was second-team and junior Caitlin Dolan was honorable mention.
• Milwaukee Lutheran We've had a look at last year's roster and the following players could be back this year: senior DS Joshlynn Eaton, junior libero Marion Boeck, sophomore outside Robin Wondergem, junior setter Kelsey Heindel, junior right side Lizzy Borkhus, junior middle Allison Sapiro, senior middle Bianca Gordon and senior outside Devin Stanford.
• Milwaukee School of Languages The Hawks are in the Milwaukee City Gold conference.
• New Berlin Eisenhower UW-Green Bay recruit senior middle Katie Mroczenski was first-team Woodland North all-conference. Junior Emily Yanny was honorable mention.
• New Berlin West The Lions are in the Woodland.
• Pewaukee Senior setter Courtney Lewis was honorable mention Woodland North all-conference last season for the Pirates. Senior Holly Vogelsang was second-team.

Regional D

• Cudahy The Packers are in the Woodland and lost to Whitefish Bay in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Messmer The Bishops are in the Midwest Classic North and lost to St. Francis in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• St. Francis The Mariners are in the Woodland and lost to Thomas More in the second round of last season's playoffs.
• St. Joan Antida The Jaguars are in the Midwest Classic North and lost to Shorewood in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• St. Thomas More We've had a look at last year's roster and the following players could be back this year: Senior setter Izzi Brzycki, junior outside/libero Lauren Szydel, senior righ side Rebecca Kemmeter, senior outside Katelyn Putney, senior libero Nikki Mongkhoun and junior middle Jaime Rehm.
• Union Grove Senior middle Kaitlyn Wilks was first-team Southern Lakes all-conference last season and honorable mention all-state. Sophomore Jo Wilks was honorable mention all-conference.
• Wisconsin Lutheran The Vikings graduated UW-Green Bay freshman Brittany Groth. We'll dig up some more on this

OUR PREDICTION

Catholic Memorial over Kettle Moraine Lutheran in five.

2009 KEY LINKS

• WVCA D2 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)
  

2009 SEASON NEWS (ONGOING)

• Catholic Memorial and Kettle Moraine Lutheran tied for third at Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
• Kettle Moraine Lutheran senior Tori Kroll served 25 straight points in a match on 9/10/09
• Kettle Moraine Lutheran finished fourth at the Kettle Moraine Lutheran Invite on 9/12/09
• St. Francis, including senior middle Katie Ratkowski, sophomore Hannah Ratkowski, sophomore Amanda Scherbarth, junior Becky Gilbreath and junior Kaeli Van Westen, received a nice write-up in the 9/15/09 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Will Edgewood Edge Out the Competition? A Preview of Girls Division Two Sectional Three

2008 RECAP

Brodhead defeated Madison Edgewood in four. River Valley and Greendale were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

Regional A

• Mauston The Golden Eagles graduated middle Katie Nedza, who was second-team South Central all-conference last season.
• Prairie du Chien The Blackhawks graduated their two Southwest Wisconsin all-conference players.
• Reedsburg The Beavers graduated four Badger North all-conference players, but they should get excellent senior leadership from libero Sarah Chrabaszcz, a Valparaiso recruit.
• Richland Center The Hornets graduated Michele Campbell, who was 2008 Southwest Wisconsin conference player of the year, but they return juniors Alyssa Krajco and Taylor Wilson, both of whom were honorable mention all-conference.
• River Valley Seniors Michelle Albrecht and Kayla Thering were first-team Southwest Wisconsin all-conference last season. Senior Rachel Radel was honorable mention.
• Sauk Prairie Junior Lacey Puls and senior Alex Gust were first-team Badger North all-conference last season and senior Lauren Halweb was second-team.
• Wisconsin Dells The Chiefs took Reedsburg to four in the first round of last year's playoffs. They return senior outside Tess Myklebust, who was second-team South Central all-conference last season.

Regional B

• Brodhead The Cardinals reached the Resch last season and return, among others, senior libero Amanda Johnson (280 digs in 2008), who was honorable mention Rock Valley South all-conference last season, as was senior Dana Lewis (165 kills in 2008).
• Clinton The Cougars graduated both of their Rock Valley South all-conference players from last season, along with five other seniors.
• Dodgeville Senior Ali Sieling was honorable mention Southwest Wisconsin all-conference last season.
• Edgerton Senior middle Bethany Wedvick was Rock Valley North player of the year last season. Joining her on first-team all-conference was senior libero Molly Langer. Junior setter Meggie Schmidt and senior Katie Wedvick were second-team and junior Tori Wileman was honorable mention.
• Evansville Junior Samantha Alisankus and senior Annie George were honorable mention Rock Valley North all-conference last season.
• Monroe Senior middle Jamie Armstrong, a George Washington recruit, was first-team Badger South all-conference last season.
• Platteville Senior Kristi Lee was first-team Southwest Wisconsin all-conference last season.

Regional C

• Columbus The Cardinals are in the Capitol North and fell to Lakeside Lutheran in the first round of the playoffs last season.
• Lodi Juniors Jaclyn Barrette and Brenna Redemann were first-team Capitol North all-conference last season. Senior Marla Mulcahy earned second-team honors.
• Madison Edgewood The Crusaders graduated just one starter from last season, Northern Michigan freshman Andree Ring. Returning players include junior setter Olivia Dittmann, who was first-team Badger South all-conference and junior outside Ashley Ring, who also earned first-team honors. Look for additional contributions from junior outside Paige Kuypers and senior middle/right side Kaitlyn Tessmer.
• McFarland Senior right side Melissa Wilkocz was second-team Rock Valley North all-conference last season while sophomore Michelle Witt was honorable mention.
• Monona Grove Senior outside Monica Anderson, a UW-Green Bay recruit, was first-team Badger South last season, as was senior setter Abbey Freund.
• Mount Horeb The Vikings graduated four starters, but return junior outside Olivia Kuker, who was honorable mention Badger North all-conference last season. Junior middle Amanda Boatwright could be another key contributor.
• Portage Junior middle Mackenzie Ziegler was honorable mention all-state and first-team Badger North all-conference for the Warriors.

Regional D

• Big Foot The Chiefs will likely turn to senior setter Kirsten Halma, who was first-team Rock Valley South last season. Sophomores Annie Kunes and Laura Hanley were honorable mention.
• Delavan-Darien The Comets lose two Southern Lakes all-conference players, including Colorado State freshman Lisa Parlich.
• Fort Atkinson New head coach Amy Spies will have senior setter Cassidy Lyons, who was second-team Badger South all-conference last season, and senior outside Emilie Bakken, who was honorable mention.
• Jefferson Senior Katie Wedvick was second-team Rock Valley North all-conference last season.
• Lake Mills The L-Cats have second-team Capitol North all-conference junior Briana Dunkleberger.
• Lakeside Lutheran Senior Jenna Luisier was first-team Capitol North all-conference last season, sophomore setter Katelynn Genz was second-team and senior Kayla Ridgeman was honorable mention.
• Whitewater Senior Emma Olson and junior Daryn Portman were honorable mention Rock Valley North all-conference last season.

OUR PREDICTION

Madison Edgewood over Sauk Prairie in four (although we think Sauk Prairie might very well go five sets against River Valley to make it out of regional A)

2009 KEY LINKS

• WVCA D2 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (incomplete)
  

2009 SEASON NOTES

• Madison Edgewood finished 2nd at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
• More to come

Will Sectional Two Go Two for Two in the State Finals? A Preview of Girls Division Two Sectional Two

2008 RECAP

Waupun defeated Appleton Xavier in three on the way to their 11th state title (and sixth in the last eight years). Clintonville and Wrightstown were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

Regional A

• Clintonville The Truckers are in the Eastern Valley conference. Sadly, we haven't been able to locate a 2008 Eastern Valley all-conference list, but senior Kirby Dunlavy was honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore in 2007.
• Freedom The Irish are another Eastern Valley conference school. Junior Katie Gonnering played on a very strong FC Elite 16-1 team this past club season and was honorable mention all-conference as a freshman in 2007.
• Marinette The Marines are in the Bay, another conference for which we have not been able to locate a 2008 all-conference list. Help if you can.
• Oconto Falls The Panthers are another Bay conference team we don't know much about. We did dig back to the 2007 state tournament program to see which players might still be on the roster and the only sophomore on their roster at that time would be senior outside Beth Rieth.
• Seymour The Thunder are yet another Bay conference school. Senior outside Melanie Behnke played for FC Elite 17-1 team this past club season and sophomore Mandy Trautmann played on an equally strong FC Elite 15-1 team.
• Shawano Community The Hawks are a Bay conference school about which we unfortunately know little.
• Waupaca The Comets are in the Eastern Valley. Returning players from last year's roster are likely to include seniors Becca Camann, Corie Matchen, Megan Nasberg and Shannon Conlin, as well as juniors Taylor Grenlie, Meghan Plunkett and Megan Grenlie.

Regional B

• Berlin The Foxes are in the Eastern Valley. They reached the second round of last season's playoffs before falling to Winneconne in a spirited five-setter.
• Omro Also in the Eastern Valley, we don't know much about the Wolves other than the fact that senior middle Morgan Chapman was honorable mention all-conference in 2007 as a sophomore.
• Ripon The Tigers are in the Eastern Valley. They won a thrilling five-setter over Wautoma in the first round of last season's playoffs before falling to Waupun in round two.
• Waupun The Warriors won state in three last season over Catholic Memorial, with senior outside Brandi Dolgner (336 kills in 2008) and Bridget Nickel (430 kills in 2008) both being named to the all-tournament team. A key graduation this past spring, however, was four-year starting setter Michielah Navis (she won state titles twice and was runner-up a third time). Junior Alexa Finstad looks to be in line for setting duties. In addition to Dolgner and Nickel, both of whom were first-team Eastern Wisconsin all-conference last season, the Warriors return, among others, senior middle Jenell Larson (80 kills and 63 solo blocks in 2008) and junior middle Libby Bresser (107 kills and 77 solo blocks in 2008), both of whom were honorable mention all-conference.
• Wautoma Beyond knowing that they're in the South Central conference, we're lacking quality information about the Hornets.
• Westfield Area Unfortunately, we don't have any information on this team.
• Winneconne Again, we haven't been able to locate a 2008 Eastern Valley all-conference list, but junior Elle Koseiuk was honorable mention for the Wolves two years ago as a freshman.

Regional C

• Denmark The Vikings are in the Bay conference and that's the extent of our insight into this team. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
• Fox Valley Lutheran Senior outside Sarah Petermann, who played for FC Elite this past club season, was first-team Eastern Valley all-conference for the Foxes two years ago as a sophomore.
• Little Chute The Mustangs are in the Eastern Valley. Senior middle Ellen Vandenberg, a Valparaiso recruit, is on the 2009 AVCA High School All-American Watch List. Juniors Coley Janssen and Ashley Solberg played on FC Elite 16-1 this past club season, and senior outside Ashley Biesterveld played for FC Elite 17-1.
• New London The Bulldogs are in the Bay and fell to Fox Valley Lutheran in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• West De Pere Sophomore Jackie Kocken played last season as a freshman for the Phantoms.
• Wrightstown The Tigers are in the Olympian conference and, yes, we should know more about this team since they were in the sectional semifinals last season, but we don't.
• Appleton Xavier The Hawks are in the Eastern Valley. Key contributions could come from junior Lauren DeShaney, as well as senior setter Emily Downey and senior outside Erin Downey. As you know by now, we haven't been able to locate a 2008 Eastern Valley all-conference list, but Emily was second-team in 2007 as a sophomore and Erin was honorable mention. They're entering next weekend's Joust as the seventh seed among the 24 teams.

Regional D

• Kiel Seniors Kim Hennings and Katrina Jacobs were honorable mention Eastern Wisconsin all-conference last season. Senior Katie Frietag made second-team.
• Luxemburg-Casco The Spartans are in the Bay conference. Junior Emilie Addison should make key contributions, as should sophomore middle Mikaela Gunderson, who was honorable mention Bay all-conference last season. Senior libero Karissa Renard has been first-team Bay all-conference the past two seasons.
  
• New Holstein The Huskies graduated Eastern Wisconsin all-conference players Kelsey Merten and Cassie Blatz, but return senior Alayna Muldoon, who was honorable mention all-conference last season.
• Notre Dame Coach Tom Larson saw four of last year's starters graduate, including setter Chelsea Culver and right side Alicia Gaura. Returning starters likely include senior Andrea Rowe in the middle and sophomore Erin Lehman, who could play middle or outside after recovering from a nagging shoulder injury in 2008.
• Southern Door Senior Tia Jandrin was second-team Packerland all-conference last season.
• Sturgeon Bay Senior Lauren Rose was second-team Packerland all-conference last season.
• Two Rivers The Purple Raiders graduated Paige Collins, who was second-team Eastern Wisconsin all-conference last season.

OUR PREDICTION

Waupun over Appleton Xavier in four.

2009 KEY LINKS

• WVCA D2 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)
  

2009 SEASON NOTES

• Waupun finished 9th at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/29/09
• Waupun finished 1st at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Seymour finished 1st at the Wrightstown Invite, 9/26/09

Will It Be Hurricane Season in November? A Preview of Girls Division Two Sectional One

2008 RECAP
Rice Lake won in three over Medford. Hayward and West Salem were the other sectional semifinalists. Hayward's loss to Rice Lake in one of the aforementioned semis was a 16-14 five-set thriller.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

Regional A

• Amery The Warriors will likely turn to junior middle Kelly Stewart, who was honorable mention Middle Border all-conference last season.
• Ashland The Oredockers are in the Lake Superior conference, which is primarily composed of Minnesota team.
• Hayward The Hurricanes return first-team Heart O'North all-conference seniors Morgan Lee and Amy McDonald, as well as junior Tatum Lee, who was second-team.
• New Richmond The Tigers will have a senior-stocked team that includes senior Kendra Mitchell (63 kills and 103 digs in 2008), junior setter Shelby Basel (165 assists in 2008) and senior Breanna Getschel (18.5 total blocks in 2008).
• Northwestern The Tigers will no doubt rely on senior Anna Morgan, who was first-team Heart O'North all-conference last season.
• Osceola The Chieftains have a good junior middle in Paige Garriga, who was second-team Middle Border all-conference last season. Senior middle Katie Zais was honorable mention. When it comes to serving, they know they can count on junior Lisa Rydeen, who was second in aces in the Middle Border last season with 17.
• Spooner The Rails have a returning second-team Heart O'North all-conference player in senior Kayla Vik.

Regional B

• Altoona Seniors Rachel Larson and Bethany Reyzer were both honorable mention Cloverbelt West all-conference.
• Baldwin-Woodville Junior libero Erin Booth was honorable mention Middle Border all-conference last season. Senior Jessica Murtha, junior Kelsey Wahlquist, junior Ashley Robele and senior Bailey Larson will likely also be contributors. Sophomore Cabrina Grunseth was on the roster as a freshman.
• Barron The Golden Bears are in the Heart O'North conference and took Durand to four sets in the first round of last year's playoffs.
• Medford Area The Raiders feature senior Jessica Holbach, a second-team Great Northern all-conference player.
• Rice Lake The Warriors graduated Melissa Richie, a Gardner-Webb recruit, along with the 419 kills she provided last season. They return many Resch Center veterans, however, including senior Gina Bernier (103 kills in 2008), junior setter Stephanie Schmidt (176 assists in 2008), senior libero Katie Schwab (504 digs in 2008), senior Jenny Fjelstad (158 kills and 210 digs in 2008) and senior middle Marsha Hanson (100 kills).
• Somerset The Spartans will likely turn to junior Karli Solum, who led the team in kills last season. Senior Alicia Potting was second. Senior setter Lauren Westerdahl also returns, as does the big block of senior Gracie Hartman.

Regional C

• Adams-Friendship The Green Devils are in the South Central conference and fell to Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Lakeland Senior Carol Falesch was second-team Great Northern all-conference last season.
• Mosinee They lose three Great Northern all-conference players.
• Nekoosa The Papermakers are in the South Central conference. If anyone has a 2008 all-conference list, we'd be eternally grateful.
• Northland Pines The Eagles are in the Great Northern conference and fell to Tomahawk in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Tomahawk They lose first-team Great Northern all-conference star Nikolene Miller, but still have junior Kaitlin Doughty, who was second-team Great Northern all-conference and honorable mention all-state. In addition, junior Kaylyn Olson was second-team all-conference and junior Jenna Otterholt was honorable mention. According to the Dunn County News, they will also have junior Sydney Lakatos, a transfer from Menomonie, who was second-team Big Rivers all-conference last season.
  
• Wittenberg-Birnamwood Seniors Courtney Rosenow and Ashley Koeller were honorable mention Central Wisconsin Eight all-conference last season.

Regional D

• Black River Falls The Tigers are in the Coulee conference and we presume senior Morgan Stittleburg is among those returning.
• Durand Senior setter Kelly Robelia returns, as does junior Courtney Brusoe and senior Katie Sam. Sophomore Michaela Danzinger made the roster as a freshman.
• Ellsworth Junior Kayla Christopherson was second in the Middle Border in kills last season with 93. Senior Carlie Melstrom had 220 assists and the Panthers will also count on the big block of senior Rachael Anderson and junior Claire Tingelhoff.
• Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau The Tigers are in the Coulee conference and we're still trying to find an all-conference list.
• Onalaska The Hilltoppers finished 9-3 last season in the Mississipi Valley conference. Even though they graduated four all-conference players last season, they return junior midde McKenzie Guth, who was honorable mention.
• Sparta The Spartans will look to senior outside Jamie Kenyon, who was first-team Mississippi Valley all-conference last season, as well as senior setter and second-team all-conference honoree Al Nading. In addition, senior middle Jenna Schroeder and junior outside Haylee Kirking were honorable mention.
• West Salem The Panthers are in the Coulee conference so, once again, we don't have a read on who did or did not make all-conference. We do know they graduated Northern Illinois recruit Mary Kurisch and that several of their athletes played club, including junior Meagan Koepnick and senior Alexis Deery.
  

OUR PREDICTION
Hayward over Sparta in five (and, yeah, OK, it's pretty much just a guess)

KEY LINKS

• 2009 WVCA Division 2 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES

• Hayward defeated Rice Lake in its home opener on 9/1/09 to partially avenge last season's five-set sectional semifinal loss.