Goslings Take Flight: 4 Takeaways from Tuesday
The high school season is in full swing and the Road to the Resch started for 8 teams in Watertown. Tournaments this early in the season are important for coaches to see the newcomers get a taste of the faster…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is in full swing and the Road to the Resch started for 8 teams in Watertown. Tournaments this early in the season are important for coaches to see the newcomers get a taste of the faster pace that is varsity volleyball. It was great to see many new faces fill in roles left by a very strong graduating class of 2018
Watertown Gets Redemption
Opposing teams were lucky this event wasn’t on a weeknight or weekend. The Goslings play with great energy and cohesiveness that will keep them in every match this season. A packed fan section will only bring more spirit to the team. Germantown was able to beat them in pool play in a 3 set thriller. That loss fueled the fire and opponents paid the price. Watertown came back with impressive wins against Sussex and then Germantown in a finals rematch. This is definitely a team that will only get stronger as the season progresses. Winning their first tournament of the year is a great way to start.
2018 Goslings celebrating a match winSheridan Dettmann has started her career at UW – Eau Claire, but Danielle Weissenrieder firmly planted herself as the next libero. Outsides Samantha Gray and Allie Stair gave opponents fits with their ability to mix shots into their game while playing solid defense getting 35 and 30 digs respectively. Junior right side Alayna Westenberg stood out the most. She finished the day with a team high 27 kills and proved to be capable of terminating when the team needed it most. Alayna has a heavy hand and terminated with a deep cross shot when middles were late to close the block. Isabelle Schauer (Belmont) racked up 83 assists and will look to Olivia Otto and Maryann Gudenkauf in the middle to round out the Gosling attack. Maryann is raw with a high reach. Once she gets settled to the varsity pace, opponents will get hit with a full flock of attackers.
Milla Malik’s Supporting Cast
Graduating Kiana Schmitt (Creighton) left the Warriors in the hands of Milla Malik (Buffalo). Milla is going to get her fair share of attention from every opponent this season. I coached against her numerous times this past club season and we stressed not allowing her to beat us. When things are going right, her serve is tough even for the best of passers to handle. However Jocelyn Meinholz made every opponent know there is more to the Warriors’ offense. You always compare those playing the same position. Jocelyn came out ready to play in 2019 giving Waunakee two 6-rotation outsides that will create match up nightmares. While high school volleyball tends to be a slower tempo than club, setter Sam Miller was nearly unstoppable running 32’s with Meinholz out of transition defense. Clare Holden slid over to the right side and set up a great block with middles Kaitlin Jordan and Robyn Ryan. Their offense will only get better as those 3 start to draw focus away from the Warriors outsides.
Wendt Celebrating at State in 2018The Trojan Work Horses
East Troy came into the season graduating key components from their 2018 State Championship Team. This left senior setter Emily Wendt and recent Seton Hall commit Katie Winkler to shoulder the leadership responsibilities. Throughout pool play Wendt was all over the court trying to track down passes to set up their offense while getting her own share of kills. The bigger blocks of Watertown and Germantown proved to be difficult to hit around for their offense.
However there was noticeable growth after the lunch break. Middle blocker Tarra Mikes got more comfortable in her starting role. She ran with great tempo, once she keeps that contact point high she will surely assert herself as Winklers offensive running mate. Outside Caitlin Hunter also played her best in the Consolation Semis. Coach Weiss has instilled true grit and fight his program. The Trojans never quit and got better as the day progressed which is all a coach can ask for.
Warhawks Found Their OH1
It has been 2 years in the making but Tatum Catalano has proven herself as the top outside for Germantown. Tatum’s freshman year saw 8 players on the roster that had experience playing middle and started her transition to the pin. While she found success each of the previous two years, she is carrying herself differently this year. There was a voice, confidence, a “swagger” that you look for your outside to have. Tatum ended the day with a team high 32 kills and 2nd in digs with 32 behind libero Amber Bischel. Coach Wagner will have a tough time taking her off the court if she keeps producing and remains vocal as their 6 rotation outside. Sophia Brown and Lauren Sitter combined for 15 total blocks and 24 kills with only 3 errors. The Warhawks struggled to get the ball to the middle to start the day. When the setters find confidence running through the middle, the offense will be at full strength.
**Results from pool play and playoffs from the Watertown Early Bird Invite are below**
Pool A
Team | Match Record | Game Record | Finish |
Sussex Hamilton | 3-0 | 6-1 | 1st |
Waunakee | 2-1 | 5-2 | 2nd |
Brookfield East | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3rd |
Janesville Craig | 0-3 | 0-6 | 6th |
Pool B
Team | Match Record | Game Record | Finish |
Watertown | 2-1 | 5-2 | 2nd |
East Troy | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3rd |
Germantown | 3-0 | 6-1 | 1st |
West De Pere | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |