Who Did We Find In 2019? – Part 4
Wisconsin is a big state, and we aren’t done yet! Let’s keep things rolling through the highs and lows. I spent A LOT of time in the gym and not every team had a great season, but that doesn’t mean they…
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Continue ReadingWisconsin is a big state, and we aren’t done yet! Let’s keep things rolling through the highs and lows. I spent A LOT of time in the gym and not every team had a great season, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have good players! After seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to write a series on an awesome group of athletes who have made their way onto our radar since August. Here’s Part 4!
Destiny BaughmanMcDonell Central (37-12)
For most of the season, Destiny Baughman (2022 – Outside Hitter) was the go-to for the Macks. Baughman elevates and has a quick swing or makes a smart deep corner tip. She averaged almost 3 kills per set and recorded 341 kills on the season.
Menomonie (2-30)
Menomonie will graduate Brynn Noble (2020 – Middle Blocker) who takes a nice fast swing around the block. They will return the scrappy and smart Shelby Thornton (2022 – Setter/Right Side Hitter). She uses tricky tips and well timed and placed setter dumps to score. Thornton is small but gets up for the block, hustles to the ball, and is a very scrappy defender.
D.C. Everest (10-23)
Haylee SchmidtEverest had their struggles this season, but they have a lot returning in 2020, including the dynamic lefty, Brenna Lehrke (2022 – 5’5 – Setter/Right Side Hitter), who is small but mighty. She can run a 5-1 or a 6-2 offense smoothly because she moves the ball around, and she is everywhere on the court. Lehrke also has a deceptive back set that keeps blockers on their toes. One of her main weapons is Danni Langseth (2021 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker) who is so tricky with a soft tip to the 4 corner. Langseth also reads well and puts up a strong block with smart timing.
Callista Rochon-BakerOshkosh West (31-13)
West fields an impressive roster but has a libero who has been operating under the radar. Callista Rochon-Baker (2020 – 5’8 – Libero) has a low flat serve that drops short. She also shows great hustle to retrieve the shanked ball.
Colby (4-20)
Here is another group that struggled but has a lot to look forward to. The Hornets will graduate Olivia Vollrath (2020 – Middle Blocker) who places a smart tip just over the block, but they will return Lexi Underwood (2021 – Middle Blocker) who has an aggressive approach and swing that helps her power through the block. On the pins they will return a pair of super scrappy defenders in Brett Schmitt (2022 – Right Side Hitter/Setter) and Emma Peavey (2021 – Outside Hitter). Schmitt sets up a nice block, while Peavey is strong in serve-receive, always there to get a hand on the ball or help it out. Peavey can also take a nice swing out of the back row.
Hannah DerenneLuxemburg-Casco (35-13)
Hannah Derenne (2021 – 6’0 – Pin Hitter) was a go-to pin hitter for the Spartans and ended up with 14 kills in their State Championship match against McFarland. She sees the block really well and reaches so high to hammer the split or the line. Derenne not only hits over the block, but she puts up a huge block on the defensive side.
Brooklyn Tolzman
Clear Lake (38-0)
Clear Lake showed Wisconsin what they were made of in November, and their defense was lights out. Brooklyn Tolzman (2022 – 5’6 – Defensive Specialist) put the pressure on with a low flat topspin serve that uses the top of the net and caused a lot of issues for passers. In serve-receive, Lilyan Hacker (2020 – 5’5 – Libero) was so strong, and she showed off her great defensive movement in transition.
Unfortunately, they will graduate Madison Zimmer (2020 – 5’7 – Setter), who has nice hands, sound jump setting, and makes distributing the ball look effortless. Zimmer also has a great float serve that knows how to find the end line. The Warriors will return a pair of Rosens including Lizzie Rosen (2022 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter) and Maddie Rosen (2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker). Lizzie can take a nice swing from either pin, as well as drops her serve right over the net for an ace. Maddie not only puts up a big block, but she also takes a heavy swing.
Jordan PagacRice Lake (12-18)
Jordan Pagac (2021 – Middle Blocker) has so many shots that it makes it incredibly tough to defend her. She has a heavy cut back swing, takes a great slide approach, pounds down the net, or places a soft roll shot over the block. Pagac hit a solid .229 on the season. She also puts up a big block and tallied 27 blocks for the season.
Elmwood (4-10)
Elmwood has a smaller squad but a decently tough schedule, which is commendable. I love a program that seeks a challenge instead of making a fluff schedule just for wins. This squad was led by Katie Feuker (2020 – Pin Hitter) in 2019. Feuker is smaller but elevates and hits over the block.