D3 Attackers Ready To Take Over Tournament Time
Let the games begin! Postseason play begins tonight for most teams with some of the top seeds having to wait until Thursday with a first round bye. Division 3 has quite a bit of balance across the state with plenty…
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Continue ReadingLet the games begin! Postseason play begins tonight for most teams with some of the top seeds having to wait until Thursday with a first round bye. Division 3 has quite a bit of balance across the state with plenty of multisport athletes finding a way to lead their teams. Here are some of the top attackers who will be looking to lead their team in a deep postseason run.
Cora Behnke – Oconto
Committed to Green Bay
Behnke has a big swing where she can go any angle depending on what the defense gives her. A six rotation player who also can score points out of the backrow, she will be a key part to the success of a very athletic Oconto squad who also features Senior libero Aubree Bucheger who can change the game through her serve receive and first contact to keep the Blue Devils in system. They will head into the postseason carrying the one seed in Section 2 and will start their tournament play Thursday night against the winner of Weyauwega-Fremont and Crandon.
Lexi Donarski – La Crosse Aquinas
Committed to Iowa State (Basketball)
Donarski has plenty of experience at the Resch Center collecting a couple of basketball state titles and did get to play at the state volleyball tournament her Freshman year. With over 300 kills on the season, Donarski is looking to lead her team back to Green Bay in what they will hope to be the first of two trips to Green Bay for state tournaments this year. Aquinas will have to survive a Section 1 who has the likes of Eau Claire Regis, St. Croix Falls, and Grantsburg just to name a few who have plenty of experience on the state floor.
Emily Bruckschen – Howards Grove
Howards Grove has quite the blend of youth and experience, but no matter the age they have a lot of talent and discipline. Bruckschen was on the last Howards Grove team to make a state tournament as a Freshman in 2016. A strong presence that can play any position in the front row, Bruckschen has been a steady force for the Tigers throughout her career. With over 200 kills on the season, Bruckschen will do whatever she can to get the Tigers back to Green Bay and do some damage.
Gianna Vollrath – Fall Creek
Fall Creek has been rising to the top this season with a 36-3 record and a one seed in their sectional. One of the big reasons behind their success is Gianna Vollrath who is a 6’0 Sophomore, leading the team with nearly four kills per set. The Crickets are the one seed on their side of the section with the two seed and defending state runner-up Stratford on their side. The Crickets open play on Thursday against Neillsville or Thorp.
Mikayla Gulden – Stratford
Stratford carried an undefeated record into the state tournament last season, finishing as state runner-up to Lake Country Lutheran who will now be in Division 2. The experience gained through that experience has propelled Stratford to follow up with 35 wins so far this season with plenty of talent in the Junior class. Gulden has nearly 300 kills and digs this season and most recently racked up 18 kills in a 3-2 win over Abbottsford to close out the regular season.
Riley Duessler – Waterloo
For Waterloo, the headliners are Juniors Brooke Mosher and Joslynn Wolff. However, their third-leading attacker and an “X-Factor” for the Pirates is up and coming Class of 2023 prospect Riley Duessler. Duessler brings an all-around game and an active swing where she has 130 kills and over 200 digs. Waterloo has the top seed in Section 3 and will start postseason play on Thursday against Princeton/Green Lake or Montello.
Sidney Hoverman – St. Croix Falls
Hoverman leads a really long and athletic squad from St. Croix Falls. This team will give plenty of opponents problems with their height on the front line as well as their overall athleticism. Hoverman has both with her ability to play all the way around and attack in any position in the front row. With a number one seed heading into tourney time in Section 1, the Saints will take on the winner of Shell Lake and Lady Smith.
Abbie Dix – Brodhead
Another Freshman from the Class of 2023 to keep tabs on will be Abbie Dix from Brodhead. Brodhead snagged one of the top seeds in Section 3 with 29 wins on the season. Dix is nearing 300 kills and is hitting above .250. She will be key in their postseason run where they will face the winner of New Glarus and Deerfield Thursday night.
Sydney Beasley – Darlington
Beasley might be one of the best-kept secrets in Western Wisconsin, averaging over four kills per set for Darlington. Beasley is a six rotation all-around player who is an incredible athlete. She has been a key play for Iowa Rockets volleyball club located out of the Iowa City area. She can play on either pin and can find a way to score points.