Who Did We Find In 2019? – Part 5
We’ve got state champs, those that got close, and other battle-tested squads. Wisconsin is a big state and I spent A LOT of time in the gym. After seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to write a…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve got state champs, those that got close, and other battle-tested squads. Wisconsin is a big state and I spent A LOT of time in the gym. 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 5!
Lydia BigginBurlington (40-5)
We all know Burlington is a powerhouse year after year, so I was surprised to find new names within this squad. Typically, we pick up quite a few of the roster during the club season with many players competing for the Milwaukee area clubs. Claire Walby (2020 – 5’8 – Defensive Specialist) impressed with a low flat serve recording 40 aces in 2019. The Demons will get to look forward to having Lydia Biggin (2022 – 5’8 – Right Side Hitter) taking a nice lefty swing for another couple seasons after getting her feet wet this season.
Tomahawk (19-22)
The Hatchets will graduate several seniors, but they will return Katie Pierce (2022 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker/Pin Hitter). Every time I saw her play, she played a different position and was an absolute beast. Pierce is one that could cause a few concussions with her heavy swing. She is raw but athletic and is sure to be a big-time weapon in 2020.
Howards Grove (44-4)
Maddy NearMaddy Near (2021 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker) was on fire along with her Tiger teammates in the Division 3 State Championship match. Near hit an impressive .416 over the 2019 season and recorded 36 blocks. She runs several routes and was super effective using a smart tip off of the hands of the blocker to the 4 spot.
Barron (18-22)
A lot of teams rely on their captains and Barron had a couple of solid seniors to fill that role. Chloe Miller (2020 – Outside Hitter) is smaller but takes an aggressive approach and swing over the block to hit the ball high off the blocker’s hands. Julia Wirth (2020 – Setter) is quick to the ball and knows how to get her hitters a ton of great opportunities to terminate. The Golden Bears will return Izzy Johnson (2021 – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker) who beats the block with a fast approach and quick swing. Johnson will surely take on a bigger workload in 2020.
Riley HenkSt. Croix Falls (28-5)
I was a big fan of this group when I saw them play in August and even more so when I found so many new names! The Saints will graduate Riley Henk (2020 – 5’0 – Libero) who is everywhere with great digs and smart movement in the backcourt. Falls will bring back a pair of juniors to lead in 2020 including Emily Mccurdy (2021 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter) and Lucia Neuman (2021 – 5’8 – Setter). Mccurdy has a tricky roll shot, pounds the corners and seams, as well as hits a great line. Neuman is super athletic, scrappy, and does a nice job out of system to give her hitters opportunities.
The Saints also have some really solid youth returning including Kylie Broten (2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker) and Sydnei Larson (2023 – Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter) to keep the success going for years to come. Broten protects the net and blocks a setter trying to attack. She has a solid high contact, runs a quick slide, and she is going break some fingers with her heavy swing. Larson has really good reactions and is all over the setter dump.
Arrowhead (42-3)
Madi TolzmanThe Warhawks had a lot of weapons this season. Madi Tolzman (2022 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter) will be one for the next couple of seasons. She has a strong deep float and as an attacker, she sees the block extremely well. In just her sophomore season Tolzman recorded 235 kills while hitting a .192.
Aquinas (31-4)
This team made an impressive run to the state tournament this year. A lot of the focus was on Lexi Donarski but another senior, Kayla Bahr (2020 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter), had a knack for finding the hole. Bahr had a solid career including 682 digs and 186 kills.
Zoe GburekMosinee (31-7)
Serve and serve receive are the name of the game and Kyla Osowski (2020 – 5’5 – Setter) is a strong server that pounds the 1 corner and the seams with a deep float. Zoe Gburek (2021 – 5’4 – Libero) makes a great move to the ball. She keeps her team alive and sets the tone for the defense by getting so many touches, covering her hitters, and taking care of the 4 corner. Another strong junior contributor, Emily Wicklund (2021 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter) sets up a strong block. This kid can jump and takes a strong fast swing with plenty of shots.
Wicklund has great vision and can pound the split, drop it in a deep cross-corner, and cut back to the sideline. She makes the block move and then takes advantage of the opening. Another youngin’ on the Indians roster is Jenna Placek (2022 – 5’7 – Middle Blocker). She hits the corners, sees the court well to time and place smart tips. Placek puts up a big block, is effective, and has improved a ton since the summer!
Elk Mound (25-16)
The Mounders will graduate their top two hitters and Mckenna Diermeier (2022 – 5’4 – Pin Hitter) will most likely help take on the workload. She may be tiny, but she elevates and has a super-fast swing. Diermeier does a great job using the block a ton and is hard to defend.