Crusader Challenge Brings Out Tough Competition

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This past Saturday, August 25, sixteen teams competed in the Crusader Challenge hosted by Catholic Memorial High School at the Milwaukee Sting Center in Menomonee Falls. This was the first tournament for many teams and, despite being early in the season, they showed up to play!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Catholic Memorial High School took their own tournament, in a tight three game match against Cedarburg. On the Crusaders side, senior <strong>Jenna Weinfurt</strong> led the team with 9 kills on the match. Junior <strong>Carley Clausen</strong> and sophomore <strong>Kaitlyn Riley</strong> (Prep Dig Class of 2021 Ranking #18)each had 6 kills and with an impressive .385 and .333 hitting percentage respectively. Seniors <strong>Caroline Dragini</strong> (committed to Portland State) and <strong>Kennedy Crain</strong> each contributed 2 aces. On the defensive side, senior Jenna Weinfurt successfully received 23 serves to push the Crusaders to their win. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cedarburg Bulldogs had some impressive stats as well. They had a wide spread of hitters contributing kills including juniors <strong>Kiara Reinhardt </strong>(Prep Dig Class of 2020 Ranking #1, committed to Creighton), <strong>Maddie Barber</strong>, and <strong>Elsa Copes</strong>. Setter <strong>Morgan Harrison</strong> had 23 assists and freshman <strong>Aspen Jankowski</strong> successfully received 18 serves with only 2 errors. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SWCHA defeated Wisconsin Lutheran in a battle for 3rd place 25-19 in both sets. After going undefeated in pool play, beating Muskego, Sheboygan North, and Martin Luther, Wisconsin Lutheran lost in the first round of bracket play to Cedarburg then again to SWCHA to take 4th place overall. SWCHA also went undefeated in pool play sweeping Germantown, Green Bay Notre Dame, and New Berlin West.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wisconsin Lutheran utilized their hitters well with seven players contributing kills during the match. Sophomore <strong>Natalie Tesch </strong>(Prep Dig Class of 2021 Ranking #17) led the team with 4 kills and junior <strong>Julia Terichel</strong> (Prep Dig Class of 2020 rank 13) had 3. Their dynamic offense helped them throughout pool play and kept them competitive in bracket play. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other notable teams from the tournament included Germantown (5th place), Whitnall (6th place), Sheboygan North (7th place) and St. Catherines (8th place). </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This highly competitive tournament offered a lot of insights to teams and was a great competition early in the season. </span></p>