The Joust: Pre-Season Preview of Pool A
Team 2018 2017 Brookfield Central 10th (3-4) 19th (2-3) Lake Country Lutheran 14th (3-4) 14th (4-2) Kettle Moraine Lutheran 15th (3-3) 13th (5-2) Homestead 22nd (1-6) 11th (3-3) Brookfield Central: Photo Credit: Taylor Kantiz The Lancers received the…
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Continue ReadingTeam | 2018 | 2017 |
Brookfield Central | 10th (3-4) | 19th (2-3) |
Lake Country Lutheran | 14th (3-4) | 14th (4-2) |
Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 15th (3-3) | 13th (5-2) |
Homestead | 22nd (1-6) | 11th (3-3) |
Brookfield Central:
Photo Credit: Taylor KantizThe Lancers received the 1st overall seed and it is much deserving. Last season McKenna Wucherer terminated on almost half of her attempts making her the most dangerous weapon for the Lancers. The teams of Pool A will undoubtedly focus on the 1st Team All-State Honoree, however Brookfield Central returns almost 92% of their team offense from a year ago including their next 3 kills leaders. Sophomore setter Tatum Kebisek will look to balance the Lancer offense with senior Maddie Weyker on the outside and fellow sophomore Morgan Daugherty in the middle. Molly Turkow, Isabella Ledezma, and Abby Wucherer will be three seniors you will want to watch in pool play with opportunities to step up.
Lake Country Lutheran:
LCL makes the move to Division 2 this year and Pool A welcomes them with a challenge to start the year. The Lightning graduated 5 seniors included their top two offensive weapons from a year ago. Evvie Kaskowski will have to shoulder the load offensively on the outside with senior Gaby Garcia expected to return in the middle. If the offense isn’t able to get going early in rallys the advantage may shift in LCL’s favor with their defense. Their strength in 2018 was the scrappy nature and heart shown from their back row. Rylee Vaughn and Adriana Studer have become highly touted recruits defensively. Alayna Ritter may be an undersized setter, but she plays with big heart and look to fellow seniors to step up in their attempt to dethrone the top seed.
Kettle Moraine Lutheran:
Elle TruckenbrodThe Chargers find themselves in a similar situation as LCL as they look to replace half of their offensive production from a year ago in Ari Miller (UW-Milwaukee commit) and Brooke Voigt. Making up that offense will be hard enough, but the Chargers will also look to replace the graduated Carissa Egelseer who ran the offense all the way to the Division 2 State Finals a year ago. Elle Truckenbrod will look to be the leader on offense with senior Faith Zuleger slated to join her on the pins. The Chargers will rely on Marian University (IN) commit Gianna Feld to quarterback the defense. Caitlin Johnson and Maddie Fischer will be returning varsity members tasked with running their offense.
Homestead:
Unfortunately, the only advantage they will have during pool play will be playing on their home court. The Highlanders take the biggest hit to graduation losing 4 of their top 5 offensive and top 2 defensive contributors. Last season they were led by Emma Szypszak but she will beginning her college career at Florida Gulf Coast. Homestead will rely on the trio of Madigan McGee, Gabby McGee, and Jesse Gee to provide the offense. The Highlanders return all 3 setters who had over 100 assists for them last year. With that being said, expect a multiple setter approach beyond pool play. Mia Caputa is the top returning defender and potential libero for the upcoming season.
Prediction:
Look to Brookfield Central to sweep the pool. Tatum Kebisek will give plenty of attack attempts to hitters not named McKenna to spread out the offense. Elle Truckenbrod and Gianna Feld will the Chargers but the experienced, deep backcourt of LCL is going to prove too much with Vaughn and Studer guiding the Lightning to a 3 set victory. Homestead has a tough draw in a rebuilding year and will have to look to Saturday to notch their first win of tournament.
Brookfield Central | (3-0) |
Lake Country Lutheran | (2-1) |
Kettle Moraine Lutheran | (1-2) |
Homestead | (0-3) |