Top Division 2 Teams in Action this Weekend
The high school season is in full swing as school as begun and first conference dual meets are in the books. A lot of the top programs give their athletes off this weekend. 8 of the top 15 Division 2…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is in full swing as school as begun and first conference dual meets are in the books. A lot of the top programs give their athletes off this weekend. 8 of the top 15 Division 2 programs are in action this weekend in hopes to move up in early season rankings.
New Berlin West Invite
Lake Country Lutheran – Prep Dig #1 – WVCA Coaches Poll #1
The Lightning flew up the rankings after a strong start to the season. LCL has moved up to Division 2 after winning the Division 3 State Championship a year ago. The only thing about this season that will be different is their Sectional. Coach Bahr has done a great job setting her program up for success by competition against the areas top Division 1 programs. Rylee Vaughn (Winona State) and Adrianna Studer (Prep Dig #7) will look to continue to frustrate opposing offenses as favorite as this event.
University School – Prep Dig Unranked – WVCA Coaches Poll Honorable Mention
The Wildcats are quietly creeping into the Division 2 rankings. They have started their season with an impressive 9-0 start led by Coach Sue Baker. Sophomore Abbie Stigler (Prep Dig #38) has started the season on fire, leading the team in kills after the first full week of competition. Their senior trio of Lilly Steinbach, Aidanne DePoy, and Ashley Fenton will look to guide their program into the Division 2 rankings with a winning weekend. This event will hold the best teams University School has faced so far this season.
Kettle Moraine Lutheran Classic
Ella CollinsLakeside Lutheran – Prep Dig #4 – WVCA Coaches Poll #4
The Warriors have put themselves in discussion as one of the top teams in Division 2. Their only two losses on the season has come at the hands of the top Division 3 team Waterloo and Divison 1 state hopeful Union Grove. Senior setter Karli Johnson (Campbellsville University) will look to Ella Collins (Eastern Illinois) to be her go to pin in route to a successful weekend.
Catholic Memorial – Prep Dig #6 – WVCA Coaches Poll #10
Ted Schulte’s Crusaders lost big contributors at all positions a season ago. However CMH continues to restock talent year after year. Senior Carly Claussen (Prep Dig #40) will look to juniors Kaitlyn Riley (Prep Dig #11) and Isabella Holcomb (Prep Dig #37) through a tough Classic 8 schedule. Alyssa Nimz has taken a lead role and is the top offensive performer to start the season. While their 2-5 record is not what they hoped for to start the season, their losses to top Division 1 programs can prove to be great learning opportunities.
Edgewood – Prep Dig #2 – WVCA Coaches Poll #3
Natalie RingThe Crusaders are another Division 2 team that has found early success while facing top area talent. Their only losses have come to two Divison 1 Top 10 ranked teams..Watertown and Sun Prairie. Both of the losses were in 3 sets. Junior Ella Foti (Marquette) is back and leading the offense with sophomore Natalie Ring (Prep Dig #5) close behind. While Ella sees a lot of action setting during her club season, senior Caroline Craig (Prep Dig #67) is currently leading the team in assists. That is largely due to the fact that Foti is her opposite and terminating on almost 50% of her opportunities. This team is one to watch battle it out with LCL at the top of the rankings all season long. They are both in Sectional Final 3 and could square off late in the season with the winner going to The Resch.
Tom Larsen Triton Classic
Luxemburg-Casco – Prep Dig #10 – WVCA Coaches Poll Honorable Mention
The Spartans are led by senior libero Allie Routhieaux. This program was one win away from the state tournament a season ago. While this team is very senior heavy, their offense is led by a pair of juniors in Hannah Derenne and Kenzie Hanson. This event takes place near the Resch Center, where the girls hope to finish their season. Their tournament starts off with a tough Sun Prairie team, but to be the best you must play the best. These two teams met a week ago with the Cardinals winning in straight sets.
Grayslake Central RamSlam
Julia TreichelWisconsin Lutheran – Prep Dig #5 – WVCA Coaches Poll #2
Wisco will head out of state to compete with some of the talented programs out of Illinois this weekend. As expected senior outside Julia Treichel (SIU – Edwardsville) is leading the team in kills and digs to start the season. She is a favorite to win Woodland Conference Player of the Year. Natalie Tesch (Prep Dig #19) has cemented herself as a key component to the Lady Vikings’ success as she runs a 6-2 with Hannah Denk. Natalie and Julia are both flirting with a Kill Percentage of 40% and their production will be pivotal for a winning weekend.
Richland Center Invite
Platteville – Prep Dig Unranked – WVCA Coaches Poll #8
Platteville has also came out firing on all cylinders to start the 2019 season. At 13-1 their only loss comes to a Brooke Mosher (Illinois) led State favorite Waterloo. Sophomore Emily Fields has done a great job running the offense to start the year. The roster is very deep with Senior talent and will look to make 2019 the year for their run at a State Title. If they can take care of business at Richland Center they could see themselves in discussion for a top 5 ranked program.