Who Did We Find In 2019? – Part 7
This was a fun journey. I didn’t realize that I had come across over 100 new names over the course of the 2019 high school season. Some teams I saw early on, and others I saw competing at the Resch in November. After…
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Continue ReadingThis was a fun journey. I didn’t realize that I had come across over 100 new names over the course of the 2019 high school season. Some teams I saw early on, and others I saw competing at the Resch in November. 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 are the final teams and players discovered in 2019!
Kettle Moraine (29-14)
Myla GlaserThe Lasers made an appearance at the Resch in November, and they showed they’ve got some talent coming up. Grace Grocholski (2023 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter) is a 6-rotation outside, and even though she’s the youngest on the team, she knows where everyone should be. Oh, and Grocholski takes a hard-heavy swing like a veteran. They have another young attacker, Myla Glaser (2023 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker), who works angles and is smart playing tight passes at the net well. On the defensive side, Kyleigh Coghlan (2023 – 5’2 – Libero) gets some really great defensive touches.
Athens (10-20)
Athens had their struggles this season but a strong freshman class coming up in 2020. Even with that, they will depend on leadership from Shauna Belter (2021 – Middle Blocker). She leads by example, and you see that clearly when she hustles to save a shanked pass.
Cadott (16-23)
I saw Cadott early in the season and the newcomers I noticed were Hallie Solie (2020 -5’9 – Outside Hitter), who was really good at dribbling the ball right over the block. They will graduate some offense, but they are lucky to have a few more seasons with Lauren Goettl (2023 – 5’3 – Libero). Goettl is super scrappy, and so fast, she seems to be everywhere at once.
Katie GoethalCatholic Central (30-11)
Catholic Central was going for a 2nd straight state title until they came up against an undefeated Clear Lake. A couple new names popped up for us, including Katie Goethal (2020 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker), who runs a nice quick route and puts up a solid block. I also really liked Lainey Dirksmeyer (2021 – 5’7 – Right Side Hitter), who has a nice topspin serve and plays solid right back defense.
Necedah (10-12)
Kyra SaylorI got a sneak peek of this team in an early scrimmage and then again in their last match of the season. The Cardinals came a long way through the season and it’s too bad they will graduate this pair of pins. Kyra Saylor (2020 – Outside Hitter) swings fast, powers through the block, and makes smart tips down the net. Miah Hansen (2020 – 5’6 – Setter/Outside Hitter) is a do-it-all player with a fast swing down the line. She has nice hands and gets the ball all the way out to the pins.
Maya Gustafson
Eau Claire North (31-8)
The Huskies had a strong season and that was in large thanks to a couple hitters that have been operating under the radar for far too long. Maria Venne (2020 – Outside Hitter) is the go-to when they are out of system with an aggressive swing. Venne is a strong defender, making her a good 6- rotation player. She also took swings from the middle and places a smart tip to the 4. Maya Gustafson (2021 – Middle Blocker) has a super-fast swing to beat the block, as well as a great cutback shot.
Union Grove (41-6)
Union Grove made their way to the Resch with many big names. I did find a couple new names, including Rylee Deuel (2020 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker), who puts up a big block and gets a ton of touches. Sydney Ludvigsen (2023 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter) puts the pressure on as a tough server.