The Joust: Pool Play Results vs My Prediction
Rachel Rossing Live results can be found on the AES website. But let us take a look at the Day 1 results compared to my preseason predictions written up before rosters were finalized during tryouts. Pool A Team…
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Continue ReadingLive results can be found on the AES website. But let us take a look at the Day 1 results compared to my preseason predictions written up before rosters were finalized during tryouts.
Pool A
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Place |
Brookfield Central | 1st | 3-0 | 6-0 | 1st |
Lake Country Lutheran | 2nd | 2-1 | 4-2 | 2nd |
Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 3rd | 1-2 | 2-5 | 3rd |
Homestead | 4th | 0-3 | 1-6 | 4th |
Pool A finished as I expected, however the Lightning of LCL came out firing on all cylinders. I expected LCL to give Brookfield Central a good match but they almost stole away their first set as they were leading until the very end. Once the score hit 20-20 McKenna Wucherer (Minnesota) took over and made sure the Lancers won. This team is new to Division 2 but they may just make a run at another State Title, proving they can compete at any division. Rylee Vaughn Rylee Vaughn 5'5" | DS/L Lake Country Lutheran | 2020 State WI was a vacuum in the back row, every attack seemed to go straight to her platform and straight to setters Alayna Ritter Alayna Ritter 5'5" | S Lake Country Lutheran | 2020 State WI and Rachel Rossing Rachel Rossing 5'9" | S Lake Country Lutheran | 2023 State WI . Ritter ran a 5-1 last year but using a 6-2 will give the Lightning the added offense needed to compete with the best teams in the area.
Pool B
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Place |
Arrowhead | 1st | 3-0 | 6-0 | 1st |
Kimberley | 2nd | 2-1 | 4-2 | 2nd |
Menomonee Falls | 3rd | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3rd |
Nicolet | 4th | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |
Arrowhead’s offense is going to be what carries them through the season. The 1-2 punch of Aubrey Hamilton Aubrey Hamilton 6'0" | OH Arrowhead | 2020 State WI (Notre Dame) and Elise Schneider Elise Schneider 6'0" | RS Arrowhead | 2020 State WI (Wofford) are going to create nightmare match ups for opponents. If their serve receive can keep them in system, watch this offense stay hot all season. Menomonee Falls is rebuilding but they kept it close with Kimberly in their match up. The GMC should produce a lot of competitive matches this year.
Pool C
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Place |
Oconomowoc | 1st | 3-0 | 6-0 | 1st |
East Troy | 3rd | 2-1 | 4-3 | 2nd |
Neenah | 2nd | 1-2 | 3-4 | 3rd |
St. Thomas More | 4th | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |
The Raccoons came in and took care of business throughout pool play. All opponent’s scoring runs were halted by Tayler Alden Tayler Alden 6'0" | S Oconomowoc | 2020 State WI (Northern Iowa) taking a kill for herself and moving to the next rotation. East Troy dropped a set to a St. Thomas More team that is returning the majority of their contributors from a year ago. Neenah relied on Kiersten Kraus Kiersten Kraus 5'10" | S Neenah | 2021 State WI (Kent State) to run a 5-1 and while Ava Aldag Ava Aldag 5'10" | OH Neenah | 2020 State WI (Hillsdale) was the workhorse offensively. Emily Wendt Emily Wendt S East Troy | 2020 State WI led the Trojans to a 2nd place finish beating Neenah in what was probably their most well rounded match I have seen in two events this season
Pool D
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Finish |
Sussex | 1st | 2-1 | 5-2 | 2nd |
Cedarburg | 2nd | 3-0 | 6-2 | 1st |
Waterford | 3rd | 1-2 | 3-4 | 3rd |
West Bend East | 4th | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |
Pool D was proved to be the most competitive with 2 different matches going to 3. Cedarburg was apart of both, but powered through with Maddie Barber Maddie Barber 6'1" | MB Cedarburg | 2020 State WI (Villanova) and Kiara Reinhardt (Creighton) leading the way. Any time opposing teams went on a run it was one of those two coming up with a big block or kill. A Mariah Grunze Mariah Grunze 6'0" | OH Waterford | 2021 State WI -less Wolverine squad kept improving throughout the day almost forcing a 3-way tie.
Pool E
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Place |
Burlington | 1st | 3-0 | 6-0 | 1st |
Waukesha West | 3rd | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3rd |
West Bend West | 2nd | 2-1 | 4-2 | 2nd |
Appleton Xavier | 4th | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |
The Demons continue their strong start to the season with another undefeated day of play. West Bend West had statement wins over Xavier and Waukesha West. The Wolverines 2019 season started off like 2018 with more injury. The expected libero Anna Holland Anna Holland 5'6" | DS/L Waukesha West | 2021 State WI (Seton Hall) was playing outside while they went without a libero. Alexis Boling Alexis Boling 6'0" | OH Waukesha West | 2021 State WI got to show her versatility and play her own back row, which is every middle blockers dream. Hopefully this team can get a full healthy roster when the heart of Classic 8 conference play begins.
Pool F
Team | My Prediction | Match Record | Game Record | Actual Place |
DSHA | 2nd | 2-1 | 4-2 | 2nd |
Appleton North | 1st | 3-0 | 6-0 | 1st |
Westosha | 4th | 0-3 | 0-6 | 4th |
Greendale | 3rd | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3rd |
Appleton North and DSHA was my personal favorite match throughout all of pool play. Coach Steve Scheuerell is loaded with length and athleticism throughout the front row, making it difficult for opposing offenses to get in rhythm. The Dashers always are a contender but they came out better than I expected. They have a three-headed monster at the outside with Mia O’Brien, Jacque Stagmeyer, and Paige Drezek Paige Drezek OH DSHA | 2020 State WI . Jalie Shemanski is small in stature but she plays big covering a lot of ground as their libero. While it is tough to get DSHA out of system, that is your only chance to beat them. Any time they got a perfect pass up to their setters their swings terminated. Emily Ploszay Emily Ploszay MB Greendale | 2022 State WI played well for Greendale, getting quality block touches pin to pin while being aggressive on offense.
Prediction Results
Overall, I guessed the results of two matches incorrectly. Injuries have affected the start for Sussex Hamilton which played a part in their loss to Cedarburg. However, even without Sarah Schrader Sarah Schrader 5'6" | OH Sussex Hamilton | 2020 State WI (UW-Milwaukee) and two others not at full strength they still pushed that match to 3 sets. That group of girls will fight for a win, regardless of who is on the court.
East Troy played their best match of the day when they needed it most. Katie Winkler Katie Winkler 5'11" | RS East Troy | 2021 State WI got help from her supporting cast which was the big difference here. If the trojans can develop a balanced offense to go along her with play they have a chance to make a run at the end of the season. Neenah is in a similar boat and looking for additional offense to go along save Ava Aldag Ava Aldag 5'10" | OH Neenah | 2020 State WI .