Will DSHA Make a Mad Dash to the Resch? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Eight

2008 RECAP

Pius XI defeated Divine Savior Holy Angels in three on its way to a runner-up finish in the division one state championship. Oak Creek and Nicolet were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Divine Savior Holy Angels The Dashers and new coach Darrell Frank will get significant contributions from senior setter Brianne Fliss, who was second-team Greater Metro all-conference last season, as well as junior setter/opposite Amanda Dettmann, who was also second-team. Senior outside Kelly Brandenburg was honorable mention. Other key contributors include junior outside Kathleen Brennan, junior opposite Meghan Royer and senior DS Katherine Tighe.
• Milwaukee Bay View The Redcats are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and lost to Oak Creek in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee Bradley Tech The Trojans are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and lost in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee King The Generals are in the Milwaukee City Gold conference and made it to the second round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee Lifelong Learning/Ronald Reagan The Wizards are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and we need more information on this team.
• Milwaukee Marshall/Custer The Eagles are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and lost to Nicolet in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee Riverside University The Tigers are in the Milwaukee City Gold conference and made it to the second round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee South The Cardinals are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and made it to the second round of last season's playoffs.
• Milwaukee Washington/CEO Leadership Academy The Purgolders are in the Milwaukee City Blue conference and lost to Wauwatosa East in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Oak Creek The Knights have two seniors who'll be playing NCAA Division I volleyball a year from now: Outside Lindsay Zabcowicz is a Green Bay volleyball recruit and setter Veronica Chandre will be a Georgia State Panther next fall.
• Pius XI The Lady Popes were a few points away from a state championship last season, coming home instead with the silver ball. This year, much of their offense will revolve around junior opposite Molly Sydnor (292 kills in 2008) and their defense will likely funnel through senior DS Sabrina Marunowski (323 digs in 2008). Senior outside Jordyn Bratel (74 kills in 2008) should also be in the offensive mix.
• Wauwatosa East The Red Raiders only have two seniors on the roster: Hannah Iyamah and Fallon Griffith. Junior Devin Kunda should provide key contributions. Freshman Gabrielle Iyamah will be on their 2009 roster.
• Wauwatosa West Junior outside Jenny Ciriacks was first-team Woodland North all-conference next season. Senior setter Sam Himmelspach was second-team.

OUR PREDICTION

Divine Savior Holy Angels over Oak Creek in four. Both Wauwatosa schools and Pius XI are the other logical choices to be in the running for a sectional championship.

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Divine Savior Holy Angels tied for 7th at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
  
• Pius XI finished third at the Early Bird Tournament in Palatine, Illinois, 9/5/09
• Divine Savior Holy Angels finished 1st at the Kettle Moraine Lutheran Invite, 9/12/09
• Divine Savior Holy Angels finished 7th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Pius XI finished 9th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Oak Creek finished 12th at the West Bend Lyyn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Oak Creek finished 3rd or 4th at the Watertown Invite, 9/19/09

Will the Warriors Win Every Battle? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Seven

2008 RECAP

Muskego defeated Franklin in four. Wauwatosa West and Greenfield were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Brookfield Central Senior outside Maria Fotsch was second-team Greater Metro all-conference last season. Senior middle/outside Erin Luder was honorable mention. The Lancers could also get key contributions from sophomore outside Britney Held and sophomore setter Mallory O'Halloran.
• Brookfield East The Spartans are also in the Greater Metro. Their roster will include three seniors: middle/opposite Marley Blood, libero Laren Nashleanas and setter/DS Emma Stueckroth. Look for key contributions from junior Kimberly Boritzke as well.
  
• Franklin Setter and first-team all-stater Nikki Dailey is a University of Iowa recruit who enters her senior season with a school-record 2,227 assists. She'll deliver many of those assists to junior outside Rachel Ambroch and senior middle Daniella Sobic. And yes, she's also one of the five players that would be on the itinerary for the fictitious Wisconsin volleyball road trip we wrote about on Monday over at our weekly Hitting Lines blog at WisSports.Net.
• Greendale Senior setter Frankie LaGuardia was first-team Woodland South all-conference last season. Senior Deneil Hotson was second-team. Sophomore Andrea Waldera played last season as a freshman.
• Greenfield Junior Alex Sokol was second-team Woodland South all-conference last season for the Hustlin' Hawks. Junior middle Angelica Bailey was honorable mention.
• Milwaukee Hamilton The Wildcats are in the Milwaukee City Gold conference, but we don't have any specific information about this team.
• Milwaukee Pulaski/Arts The Rams are also in the Milwaukee City Gold conference, but again we don't have any specific information on specific players. Any help would be appreciated.
• Muskego Senior middle and UW-Milwaukee recruit Rachel Neuberger (221 kills in 2008) was second-team all-state last season. Senior Katie Ellerson (211 kills in 2008) was honorable mention all-state. Other key contributors could include senior outside Alli Glisch (134 kills in 2008), senior libero Sarah Mlachnik (178 digs in 2008), senior setter Kate LaTour (379 assists in 2008) and junior middles Hannah Blanchard and Jessica Stanton.
• Racine Case Senior right side Megan Schroeder is a Missouri State recruit who can deliver the key kill when her team needs it. Senior libero Amy Sykes will spend another year delivering picture-perfect passes.
• Racine Horlick Sophomores Jenni Adamowicz and Jessi Adamowicz saw action last season as freshmen. Junior Melissa Firtko was SEC South all-conference.
• Racine Park We need more information about this team.
• West Allis Central Other than a comment we've received that the team has only two seniors, we don't have any information about this team.
  
• West Allis Hale Sophomore outside Erin Barbeau, sophomore middle Hannah King, sophomore setter Sarah Fabina and sophomore outside Rachel Voller saw action last season as freshmen (see comment below). Other returning players include senior DS Karolyn Bennett, senior opposite Taylor Bohmann, senior opposite Abbie Mueller and junior middle Erika Marisch.
• Whitnall Senior outside/middle Kristen Neuendorf was second-team Woodland South all-conference last season. Junior middle Mary Neuendorf was honorable mention.

OUR PREDICTION

Muskego over Franklin in five.

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (very incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Muskego finished 5th at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
• Brookfield East junior Kimberly Boritzke was named to the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Invitational all-tournament team, 8/28-29
  
• Muskego won the Brookfield Central Lancer Invite over Burlington, 9/12/09
• Muskego finished 2nd at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Brookfield Central finished 1st at the Germantown Invite, 9/26/09
• Brookfield East finished 1st at the Racine Park Invite, 9/26/09

Will the Demons Be Saying, 'Is This Heaven, No It's Ashwaubenon'? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Six

2008 RECAP

Kenosha Tremper defeated Burlington in four on their way to the 2008 Division 1 State Championship. Oregon and Westosha Central were the other two sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Badger Senior Katie Smith was honorable mention Southern Lakes all-conference last season.
• Beloit Memorial The Purple Knights are in the Big Eight conference and lost to eventual state champion Tremper in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Burlington The Demons were a match away from state last season and this year they appear poised to take that final step. Returning players include senior setter Kayla Uhlenhake, who was second-team all-state and first-team Southeast all-conference last season. Senior Mandi Baumeister also earned first-team all-conference honors. Senior Quinn Imrie was SEC North all-conference and Taylor Tuinstra was honorable mention. Sophomore Katie Drohner also returns.
• Elkhorn The roster should include senior outside Becca Koeppen, senior setter Carly Larsen, junior outside Kristy Oglesby, sophomore middle Emily Schahczinski, senior libero Maggie Smith and junior outside Marley Zwiebel.
• Janesville Craig The Cougars are in the Big Eight and lost to Verona in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Janesville Parker The Vikings are also in the Big Eight and lost to Oregon in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Kenosha Bradford Junior middle Morgen Mueller was honorable mention SEC South all-conference for the Red Devils last season. Senior setter Brittany Reindl was honorable mention.
• Kenosha Tremper The defending state champions graduated many talented players, but return junior outside Mallory Robinson (59 kills, 43 aces and 318 digs in 2008), and senior outside Caitlyn Richter (80 kills in 2008).
• Kettle Moraine The Lasers switch from sectional five and possible returning seniors include libero Kristin Klemmer, outside Danielle Nabak, middle Katie Culhane, setter Abi Dvorak and outside Sara Kelm.
• Milton Senior right side Gretchen Natter was second-team Badger South all-conference last season and senior middle Erin Stalker was honorable mention.
• Mukwonago According to the Waukesha Daily Freeman, the team's leading scorer last season was junior Tess Vancura. Returning letterwinners include senior outside Monica Whitehouse, senior setter Cara Gonring, junior setter Alyssa Schmid, junior setter Taylor Dunklau., junior outside Caitlyn Tadysak and senior right side Kaylee Trinka. Also look for key contributions from sophomore libero Mary Bogdanski, sophomore middle Ashley Radtke and sophomore middle Kendall Martenet.
  
• Waterford We haven't been able to dig up much information on this team, although we know they did graduate talented UW-Parkside freshman Abby Beilke. Any help would be appreciated.
• Westosha Central Junior middle Chelsea Visk was second-team Southern Lakes all-conference. Junior libero Sara Shumaker was honorable mention. Other key contributors could include senior Chelsea Neave and junior Allie Rampart. This is also just one of the teams in this sectional where the Class of 2013 could have a significant impact on the final outcome.
• Wilmot Union Senior Paige Madsen was second-team Southern Lakes all-conference last season.

OUR PREDICTION

Burlington over Westosha Central in four, with Milton being one of the four sectional semifinalists.

KEY LINKS

• WVCA Division 1 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (to come)
  

SIGNIFICANT 2009 SEASON NEWS (ONGOING)

• Burlington finished 6th at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
• Burlington finished 2nd at the Brookfield Central Lancer Invite, 9/12/09
• Burlington finished 8th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Westosha Central finished 15th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09

Will the Night of October 31 Be a Night the Knights Never Forget? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Five

2008 RECAP

To our knowledge, no sectional features more returning all-state players: Nicolet sophomore Melissa Morello (HM), Menomonee Falls senior Catie Fredrich (HM), Arrowhead senior Janelle Hobbs (HM), Watertown senior Erienne Lauersdorf (2nd Team) and Homestead senior Erica Reetz (2nd Team). In the 2008 sectional final, Watertown defeated Menomonee Falls in four tightly contested sets (there was only a two-point separation in each). Arrowhead and Homestead were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Arrowhead The Warhawks will look to senior middle Janelle Hobbs, a Valparaiso recruit, for leadership and kills. They're also likely to get key contributions from junior outside Lauren Rolerat and junior middle Taylor Sieth.
• Cedarburg The Bulldogs will no doubt turn often to senior outside Alexandra Ripperger, junior right side Libby O'Rourke and senior setter Heidi Buss.
• Germantown Look for key contributions from, among others, a couple of sophomores: middle/setter Taylor Edmonds and right side Sydney Mortl. There appear to be just three seniors on the roster: middle Carley Sanfelippo, right side Taylor Neinfeldt and setter Brittany Baxter.
• Sussex Hamilton Look for key contributions from seniors Stephanie Kirchner and Alaina DiGiorgio-Verdun, a Western Illinois recruit.
• Homestead The Highlanders will be led by senior outside Erica Reetz, a Yale recruit. They'll also turn often to senior libero Andrea Voss, senior middle Lauren Kellaher, sophomore outside Clare Raddatz and sophomore middle Hannah Young.
• Menomonee Falls Senior right side Catie Fredrich is a Ball State recruit. Look for additional contributions from junior Becca Fuchs, sophomore middle Chelsea Lee, junior DS Taylor Golabowski, junior outside Sarah Wildish and junior setter Dayna Simmons.
• Milwaukee Madison Campus/Milwaukee Northwest We need more information about this school.
  
• Milwaukee Vincent We need more information about this school as well.
  
• Nicolet The Knights won the North Shore conference last season, going undefeated in head-to-head play and winning the conference championship. They'll feature a good mix of younger and more experienced players, including four seniors who've played together for years: senior middle Nikki Flemming (second-team all-conference), outside Sam Lautmann (honorable mention), setter Rachel Morello (first-team) and libero Katelyn Richards (honorable mention). Look for additional contributions from sophomore middle Kristalyn Goode, sophomore right side Dana Kenney and sophomore outside Melissa Morello, the only freshman named all-state last season.
  
• Oconomowoc Their offense will once again revolve around talented junior and Marquette recruit Lindsey Gosh. Look for key contributions from Lauren Gnewuch.
• Watertown This senior-filled team includes several starters from the 2007 Division 1 state championship team, including outside Erienne Lauersdorf, outside Leanna Lillge, DS Erica Hozeska and setter Kaley Jacobson. Other key returning players include sophomore Genelle McFarland, junior setter Hanna Cahoon and senior middle Jenna Schwartz.
• Waukesha North Look for contributions from junior middle Chelsea Sheldon and junior Nikkie Vandendriessche.
• Waukesha South Senior Libby Woodford should be a key contributor.
  
• Waukesha West They graduated Ashley Applequist and setter Jamie Mueller, but return some talented players, including junior setter Becky Honerlaw, sophomore right side Allison Barnes, senior libero Laurel Kascht and junior outside Morgan Leverance.
  

OUR PREDICTION
Nicolet over Homestead in five ridiculously competitive sets (and, yes, there are about 4-5 different legitimate sectional final matchups that we were toying with, including a Watertown-Falls rematch or Sussex Hamilton against any of the above--all of this predicting is hard work.)

KEY LINKS

• WVCA Division 1 Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)
  

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Watertown finished 1st at the Thomas More Milwaukee Lutheran Joust, 8/28-29
• Germantown finished 1st at the Niki Doedens Invitational, 8/28-29
  
• Menomonee Falls won the Becky Warner Memorial Invitational (Mukwonago) and Oconomowoc finished second, 9/5/09
• Germantown finished 1st at the Mary Blandino Invitational, 9/11/09
• Nicolet and Menomonee Falls finished tied for 3rd at the Brookfield Central Lancer Invite, 9/11/09
• Germantown, including senior middle Carley Sanfelippo and senior outside Taylor Nanfeldt, received a nice write-up in the 9/15/09 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• Nicolet finished 1st at the
• Watertown finished 1st at the Watertown Invite, 9/19/09
• Menomonee Falls finished 2nd at the Watertown Invite, 9/19/09
• Watertown finished 3rd at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Menomonee Falls finished 4th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Arrowhead finished 16th at the West Bend Lynn LaPorte Sprawl, 9/26/09
• Germantown finished 2nd at the Germantown Invite, 9/26/09

Which School Could Be Humming the Obscure U2 Song "Three Sunrises" This Fall? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Four

2008 RECAP

West Bend East defeated West Bend West in three. Oshkosh West and Beaver Dam were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Beaver Dam The Golden Beavers return junior outside Kaitlynn McIntyre, who was third-team all-state and second-team all-conference last season. They graduated Badger freshman Kelli Kasha, who was Wisconsin Little Ten player of the year last season, and Emily Goebert, who was honorable mention.
  
• Fond du Lac The Cardinals return all but one player from last season's team and still only have two seniors on the roster. Sophomore Kayla Pickart was second-team Fox Valley Association all-conference last season and Emily Riese was honorable mention. Middle Jess Lakin should be a force, as will DS Katie Boardman. Junior outside Morgan Nick has great leaping ability and sophomore libero Kelie Reimer is also back.
• Hartford The Orioles are in the Wisconsin Little Ten conference. They move from sectional five where they took Homestead to four in the second round of last season's playoffs. Seniors on the roster include setter Sammi Borchardt, setter/DS Kristen Ney, middle/right side Corina Van Duser.
• Menasha The Bluejays are in the Fox Valley conference and took Stevens Point to four in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Neenah The Rockets return senior libero Catherine Meyer, who was a unanimous first-team Fox Valley Association all-conference selection last season, and junior outside Kristen Hovie, who was second-team.
• Oshkosh North The Spartans will look for big contributions from senior Jenna LaFontaine, who was honorable mention Fox Valley Association all-conference last season.
• Oshkosh West The Wildcats graduated three all-conference starters, but they return senior Lauren Probst, who was honorable mention all-conference last season.
• Sheboygan North The Golden Raiders will look for key contributions from senior setter/right side Stephanie Schwoer, who was honorable mention Fox River Classic all-conference last season. Senior middle Haley Molzner should also make some key contributions.
• Slinger The Owls are in the Wisconsin Little Ten and took Fond du Lac to four in last season's playoffs. We're still trying to confirm details about their roster.
• Stevens Point The Panthers return sophomore libero Sarina Strnad, who was honorable mention Wisconsin Valley all-conference last season. They also had two other freshmen on their roster last season: sophomore outside Hannah Klein and sophomore setter Melanie Leopold. Also look for contributions from senior outside Dana Pieczynski and senior middle Kaitlyn Hutchinson.
• West Bend East The Suns graduated many key players, including three all-conference selections, but they return some seasoned Resch Center veterans in senior libero Caitlin Martin (623! digs in 2008), who was honorable mention Wisconsin Little Ten all-conference. They'll also look for key contributions from junior middle Heidi Spies (185 kills in 2008) and senior DS Erica Beck (269 digs in 2008).
• West Bend West The Spartans return several key starters, including sophomore middle Meghan Conley, sophomore libero Hannah Picel and junior setter Kim Frei.
  
• Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln The Red Raiders will likely be a senior-dominated team. Look for key contributions from senior setter Shalisa Austin, senior setter/opposite Rachel Wisen and senior middle Melissa Knobek, among others.

OUR PREDICTION
The West Bend East Suns over the Fond du Lac Cardinals in five insanely competitive sets to earn their third straight trip to state (get it, Three Sunrises). Note: We freely admit this is one of the more impossible sectionals to predict because there are still some key things we wish we knew for certain but don't so anyway we made the prediction and we'll stick with it.

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• West Bend West finished second and Fond du Lac finished third at Niki Doedens Cedarburg Invitational, 8/28-29

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

Will the Ghosts Scare Up a Sectional Championship? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional Two

2008 RECAP

Manitowoc Lincoln defeated Kaukauna in four. De Pere and Kimberly were the other sectional semifinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

• Appleton East The Patriots should see key contributions from sophomore Tierney Wittman, senior setter Aubree Park, as well as senior outsides Annie Desch and Emily Sokel.
• Appleton North It's hard not to have a warm spot in our hearts for any school that has a link to Cheese & Volleyball on their team site. The Lady Lightning graduated Diedre Van Lieth, who had been an honorable mention Fox Valley Association all-conference selection last season.
• Appleton West Senior Lexa Biese was honorable mention Fox Valley Association all-conference.
• Ashwaubenon Look for key contributions from senior outside Hannah Steward and junior middle Marisa Ebli, who was part of the Badger Region High Performance program this summer.
• Bay Port The Pirates are in the Fox River Classic conference and took Appleton East to four in the first round of last season's playoffs. Junior Paige Vandenmeerendonk played club for Green Bay PoWer (and yes, that is a very long last name).
• De Pere The Redbirds will be led by senior outside Kelly Heissel, who was named one of the top five hitters in the Fox River Classic conference last season. Senior setter Kelly Higgins was first-team Fox River Classic all-conference last season, senior middle/right side Brittany Fink was second-team and Heissel was honorable mention.
• Green Bay East The Red Devils are in the Fox River Classic conference and took Ashwaubenon to five in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Green Bay Preble Junior setter Jenna Smits (134 kills and 443 assists in 2008) was first-team Fox River Classic all-conference last season. Senior Rachel Taicher (264 kills in 2008) was honorable mention. Also look for key contributions from senior Megan Harrison (103 kills in 2008) and sophomore Kendyl Danelski (104 kills in 2008).
• Green Bay Southwest The Fighting Trojans are in the Fox River Classic conference and lost to De Pere in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Green Bay West The Wildcats are in the Fox River Classic conference and lost to Kimberly in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Hortonville The Polar Bears are in the Bay conference (one of our blind-spot conferences for which we have no 2008 all-conference list). Last season, Hortonville was in sectional four and took a strong Beaver Dam team to four sets in the second round of the playoffs. They graduated Bailey Reshel, a freshman at South Dakota.
• Kaukauna The Galloping Ghosts will rely heavily on senior setter Leah Van Zeeland, who was first-team Fox Valley Association all-conference. Junior McKinzie Freimuth and Maria Van Abel were second-team. They're also likely to get contributions Jenny Fassbinder and hard-hitting junior Courtney Eiting.
• Kimberly Junior libero/outside Nateah Beimbom was honorable mention Fox Valley Association all-conference. They also return senior setter Beth Ebben.
• Manitowoc Lincoln Although the Ships graduated nin seniors, they can still turn to talented senior middle Courtney Mrotek, a Marquette recruit (143 kills in 2008 and we seem to recall she was coming back from an injury). A check of the 2008 state tournament program indicates that of the returning players, senior DS Elise Sieracki saw the most playing time (55 digs in 58 games in 2008). Senior setter Kayla Fehrmann will lead the offense this season. Also look for contributions from sophomores Jenna Maedke and Claire Sieracki and senior Mackenzie Virnoche.
• Pulaski The Red Raiders are also in the Fox River Classic conference. Senior Brooke Coenen was second-team Fox River Classic all-conference last season.

OUR PREDICTION

Kaukauna over Manitowoc Lincoln in five (and what a five-setter we're guessing it shall be)

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (Incomplete)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Green Bay East won Red Devil Invite, 8/28-29
• Green Bay Preble won Friendship Invite, 8/28-29

Will the Warriors Battle Through B to Reach the Resch? A Preview of Girls Division One Sectional One

2008 RECAP

It's been all D.C. Everest in this sectional for the past couple of years. Last season, for example, the Evergreens defeated Eau Claire North in straight sets in the sectional final. Chippewa Falls and Merrill were the other sectional seminfinalists.

2009 CONTENDERS AND RANDOM NOTES

Regional A (wherein we learn which Big Rivers team will be one win away from Ashwaubenon)

• Chippewa Falls The Cardinals will rely heavily on senior Stephanie Kriehn, who was honorable mention Big Rivers all-conference last season for the Cardinals.
  
• Eau Claire Memorial Senior Kayla Dieckman was honorable mention Big Rivers all-conference last season for the Old Abes.
  
• Eau Claire North The Huskies will feature junior Alicia Olson, a second-team Big Rivers all-conference selection last season.
• Hudson The Raiders are in the the Big Rivers conference and took Eau Claire North to four in the second round of last season's playoffs.
• Menomonie According to the Dunn County News, the Indians will return middle Brittany Cutler, outside Rachel Hartz, setter Jenni Wolf, outside Allison Prange and Katelyn Quilling.
• River Falls The Wildcats are in the Big Rivers conference and fell to Eau Claire North in the first round of last season's playoffs.
• Superior The Spartans are, you guessed it, also in the Big Rivers conference and lost to Hudson in the first round.

Regional B (wherein a couple of other conferences get a say in who goes to state from this sectional)

• Antigo Senior Heather Kakes was second-team Great Northern all-conference last season. Junior Hannah Griffiths and senior Suzy Solin were honorable mention.
  
• D.C. Everest Senior outside Holly Edelburg (168 kills in 2008) and junior setter Taylore Zblewski (234 assists in 2008) were honorable mention Wisconsin Valley all-conference last season. Senior outside Molly Leith (165 kills in 2008) could be another key contributor.
  
• Marshfield It'll be a year of transition for the Tigers. Not only did they graduate four starters, including Marquette freshman Danielle Carlson, all were either first- or second-team Wisconsin Valley all-conference performers. Key contributors this season could include senior middle Amelia Eckes, senior DS Katie Gruen, senior outside Tia Howard, senior DS Myranda Schmitt and junior middle Kim Johnson.
• Merrill Senior Kayla Duesing was Great Northern player of the year last season as a junior. Senior Leah Monti was honorable mention. In addition to Monti, the following seniors played for Northern Pride, Badger Region 17 Club Champions: Christine Chapleau, Abbey Krimsreiter and Kaylin Byer.
• Rhinelander Senior outside Sara Specht (85 kills in 2008) was second-team Wisconsin Valley all-conference last season for the Hodags. Also look for contributions from sophomore middle Amy Berry (28 kills in 33 games as a freshman),
  
• Wausau East The Lumberjacks graduated Marquette freshman Ellie Hovda, but return junior middle Melinda Gohl (105 kills in 2008) and junior setter Jessica Louis (341 assists in 2008), both of whom were second-team Wisconsin Valley all-conference last season. Also look for contributions from senior outside Taylor Zillman (83 kills in 2008).
  
• Wausau West The Warriors will turn to senior middle and North Dakota State recruit Carissa Whalen, (136 kills in 2008) who was also first-team Wisconsin Valley all-conference last season. Senior DS Nicole Sweeney (179 digs in 2008) was honorable mention. Also look for contributions from junior outside Amanda Fischer (53 kills in 2008).
  

OUR PREDICTION

Wausau West over Menomonie in three (although it might take a couple of five-setters to get out of regional B)

QUICK LINKS

• WVCA Division One Scores
• 2009 Rosters (to come)

2009 SEASON NOTES (ONGOING)

• Wausau West defeats River Valley to win UW-Stout Sprawl, 8/28-29
• More to come