Conference Preview (WI): North Eastern Conference

Three of the top four teams in Division 2, Sectional 2 came out of the North Eastern Conference between Fox Valley Lutheran, Little Chute, and Luxemburg-Casco. Little Chute defeated Fox Valley Lutheran in the sectional semifinal before losing to Luxemburg-Casco in the sectional final. Little Chute jumped out to an early first set win 25-12 before Luxemburg-Casco came back to win the next three to eventually reach the state tournament and finish runner-up to Lakeside Lutheran. Teams Included: Clintonville Denmark Freedom Fox Valley Lutheran Little Chute Luxemburg-Casco Marinette Oconto Falls Wrightstown Waupaca Here is a quick glance at some of the top teams and players from the North Eastern Conference: [caption id="attachment_18780" align="alignright" width="197"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Schiltz.jpg"></a> Schiltz will play basketball at Green Bay.[/caption] Luxemburg-Casco 2017 Record: 41-9 Overall, 9-0 Conference The Spartans have hardware to look at from the 2017 season, but will be replacing a talented senior class that featured two Division 1 players in Alexis Dorner (Green Bay) and setter Megan Cannon (Robert Morris), as well as Molly Wotruba who had 780 digs her Senior year. Who will be the ones to step into fill these roles? Cassie Schiltz, the Green Bay basketball recruit will be back with the most experience with over 400 kills as a Junior. Rebekah Day will be a solid incoming Junior as a setter, but L-C will also have height and athleticism at the pin and middle with Junior, Holly Baierl, and Peyton Vandenbush. Vandenbush had 300 kills in 2017. Little Chute [caption id="attachment_9449" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Vandenberg.jpg"></a> Hannah VandenBerg will be staying home to play for Marquette.[/caption] 2017 Record: 34-5 Overall, 8-1 Conference Of the five losses Little Chute had in 2017, three of them were to Luxemburg-Casco. Hannah Vanden Berg, the 2017 Conference Player of the Year and 1st Team All State selection will be back for her Senior year. The Marquette commit had 741 kills, 7.2 kills/game, with a .410 hitting efficiency. To be completely frank, those numbers are ridiculously good and almost unheard of. She will be depended upon to carry the Mustangs, but will also have Junior Jules Joosten on the outside who was third on the team in kills last year and setter, Gabi Roemer who had over 1,000 assists last year and earned All-Conference honors. Fox Valley Lutheran 2017 Record: 27-11 Overall, 7-2 Conference FVL finally broke through! Crosstown rival (Appleton) Xavier has always been the roadblock for FVL in the past in the sectional tournament, but the Foxes prevailed in late October to advance to the sectional semifinals in winning 3-2, 22-20 in the fifth set! FVL also was one of the few teams to take Luxemburg-Casco to five sets. Despite losing a very talented Senior class, Jenna Charron will be back for her Senior year and will receive plenty of sets. The 1st Team All Conference selection with 441 kill in 2017 will be the top option with Alicia Krahn being the next highest returner in kills for the Foxes. Super Sophomore: Linnea Willer was named 1st Team All Conference as a Freshman last year for Freedom High School. Willer is a six foot, powerful, and dynamic outside hitter that had a breakout year this past club season for FC Elite 15 Navy who finished 5th in the National Division at USA Nationals. With a more developed backcourt game, Willer is a rising Class of 2021 prospect that has the size and athleticism to play at a very high level beyond high school. Look for even more production out of Willer in her 2018 high school season. Wild Card Teams: Oconto Falls has always had a solid tradition that has produced college level players with Mckenna Larsen playing at Winona State, Carly Lemke at UW-Oshkosh, and this season Sarah Sprout playing at St. Norbert. With a 22-17 record in 2017, the Panthers will be returning Natalie Brauer and Kaitlyn St. Louis. Coming off a 22-14 record, Denmark High School has a solid group of athletes who are coming off a state tournament appearance in softball. The Vikings will be returning Alayna Yttre and setter Abby Marique.