Top-Seeded Division II Teams going into Playoffs
Playoff season is fast approaching and the seeding meetings have all been completed. The eight top seeds going into the post-season have been named and for the Division II bracket, each of the teams has earned that coveted first-round bye. …
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Continue ReadingPlayoff season is fast approaching and the seeding meetings have all been completed. The eight top seeds going into the post-season have been named and for the Division II bracket, each of the teams has earned that coveted first-round bye.
Osceola, Luxemburg-Casco, Mosinee, Fox Valley Lutheran, Platteville, Wisconsin Lutheran, Lake Country Lutheran, and Saint Thomas More have all earned a one seed going into regionals starting next week. While there are sure to be some upsets along the way, these schools have had stellar seasons that have all lead up to a hopefully long post-season run.
Osceola
Osceola has definitely challenged themselves this season. Though their record is just over 0.500, they have played some tough teams and held their own. They are 5-0 in their conference and only dropped two sets in conference play. They rarely lost in straight sets during non-conference play and battled with teams such as River Falls and Columbus Catholic.
Makena Hollman is a senior middle hitter who is a key offensive and defensive player for this team. She has 276 kills and 73 solo blocks so far this season. Fellow senior Hailey Ebert leads the team as their setter and has contributed over 300 assists as well as 31 aces and 87 digs. Leiskau Mathea is a junior and first-year varsity athlete who has had 224 assists and 37 aces this season.
Luxemburg-Casco
Luxemburg-Casco has had a hefty season. They are 6-2 in conference play with their losses coming to Fox Valley Lutheran and Denmark both in five thrilling sets. Their overall record is 27-12. They have beaten some solid teams including Greendale, Little Chute, Southern Door, Oconto Falls, and Kettle Moraine Lutheran.
The team is lead by several key hitters on offense including junior right-side hitter Hannah Derenne (234 kills, 57 blocks, 183 digs), fellow junior Kenzie Hanson (221 kills, 21 blocks, 243 digs, 53 aces), and sophomore outside hitter Grace Holschuh Grace Holschuh 5'11" | OH Luxemburg Casco | 2022 State WI (220 kills, 38 blocks). Senior captain Allison Routhieaux leads in the backcourt with 390 digs and 448 service receptions. Senior setter Rebekah Day is a constant force on this team bringing in 784 assists, 38 aces, 190 digs, and 56 kills.
Mosinee
Mosinee is undefeated in conference play going 12-0 throughout the season. Their next biggest competitor in their conference is Northland Pines who is 8-4. The team has a 27-6 record which includes tournaments, conference and non-conference matches. They have been incredibly successful this season and look to do well in playoffs.
They have a dynamic offense with six athletes logging in over 100 kills so far this season including Paige Wicklund Paige Wicklund 5'8" | OH Mosinee | 2020 State WI (Class of 2020, 239 kills), Jenna Placek (Class of 2022, 119 kills), Emily Wicklund (Class of 2021, 191 kills), Brooklyn Montgomery (Class of 2021, 191 kills), Sheridan Swiderski Sheridan Swiderski 5'11" | OH Mosinee | 2021 State WI (Class of 2021, 104 kills), and Aurora Kraus (Class of 2020, 138 kills).
Fox Valley Lutheran
Fox Valley Lutheran has had an incredible season going 8-0 in conference and 31-2 on the season. Their only losses have been to Lourdes and Luther Prep, both in tournament play. This is a young team with only one senior on the team and will not only have success in this postseason but also for seasons to come.
Sophomore pin hitter and setter Mickenzi Benter has 230 assists, 61 aces, 216 digs, and 201 kills. Freshman libero Kennedy Schmitz is having a huge impact during her first season as a high school athlete bringing in 533 digs and 501 service receptions. Junior setter and captain Holly Malkowski is a leader on the team and brings experience to the overall young roster. She has 508 assists, 72 aces, 242 digs and 78 kills so far this season.
Platteville
Platteville has been impressive since the first time they stepped on the court at the beginning of the season. They are 9-0 in conference without dropping a single set and 32-6 overall. Their losses came from talented teams such as Waterloo and Germantown.
Their key hitters are senior Izzy Carroll and junior Alayna Digman. Seniors MJ Stephens and Josie Nies are crucial in the back row and defend the court fiercely. Sophomore setter Emily Fields is a force to be reckoned with and has contributed 755 assists this season. Each athlete on this team is instrumental to this team’s success.
Wisconsin Lutheran
Wisconsin Lutheran is a force to be reckoned with and is not only looking to win in the first rounds of the postseason but to make it deep into the state tournament. They are 5-1 in the Woodland conference and 30-12 overall. This team has only suffered losses from major programs such as Pewaukee, Appleton North, and Carmel in Illinois.
They are lead by senior outside hitter Julia Treichel Julia Treichel 5'8" | OH Wisconsin Lutheran | 2020 State WI , junior middle hitter and setter Natalie Tesch Natalie Tesch 5'10" | S Wisconsin Lutheran | 2021 State WI , and senior setter Hannah Denk. This team has a lot of combined experience on the court and where they might have fallen short in past years, they have grown as a team and will be one of the teams to watch this postseason.
Lake Country Lutheran
This is Lake Country Lutheran’s first year competing in Division II and they are dominating. They have won the Division III State Title for the past two years in a row and are ready to show what they are worth up in Division II. They are currently 8-0 in conference play and 29-8 on the season. They are playing incredibly tough teams and their losses include Brookfield Central, Cedarburg, Waukesha West, and Burlington.
Lake Country Lutheran’s defense is truly incredible. Senior Rilee Vaughn has 324 digs and 349 serve receptions. She is a gritty player who is also a leader on this team. Sophomore Adriana Studor is crucial on defense and has nearly 250 digs and 279 service receptions this season. Allison Ritter has been a setter on this team since her freshman year and brings maturity and experience to the court. Shee leads the team with 445 assists, but freshman Rachel Rossing Rachel Rossing 5'9" | S Lake Country Lutheran | 2023 State WI has been doing her fair share of work as well and has 307 assists so far.
Saint Thomas More
This is a very experienced team with an 8-0 record in conference and a 19-6 record overall. They have six seniors on the team and most of them are starters. The core of this team has been playing together since their freshman year and if Thomas More is going to make a move in the postseason is a great opportunity to do so.
Senior Melanie Monaco Melanie Monaco 5'11" | OH St. Thomas More | 2020 State WI leads the team in kills and has a fair number of digs and aces as well. Libero Katie Hoch Katie Hoch St. Thomas Moore | 2020 State WI is scrappy and uses her speed to her advantage in the back row. She has 247 digs and 347 service receptions so far this season. Josie D’amato is a senior setter who knows her hitters and her team well. She usually runs a 5-1 and provides a great flow to Thomas More’s game.
I am excited to see these teams compete in the postseason and follow their progress throughout the tournament. The brackets at the Division II level will be competitive and there are sure to be some great wins and tough losses.