6 Reasons For Sun Prairie’s Surge
Sun Prairie expected to be one of the top teams in Division 1 this fall. So far the Cardinals are fulfilling that goal. As of September 13, Sun Prairie is 18-2, 4-0 in the Big Eight Conference. The Cardinals’ only…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSun Prairie expected to be one of the top teams in Division 1 this fall. So far the Cardinals are fulfilling that goal.
As of September 13, Sun Prairie is 18-2, 4-0 in the Big Eight Conference. The Cardinals’ only losses have come against Luxemburg-Casco and Watertown, both strong programs. Sun Prairie’s biggest test in the Big Eight will come September 25 against 12-0 Verona.
The Cardinals are young, but have plenty of size. And as coaches often like to say, “you can’t teach size.”
Here are six players leading Sun Prairie’s impressive season.
Karli McNabb, junior, outside hitter
McNabb is having an outstanding season, leading the Cardinals with 176 kills. The junior is averaging 3.5 kills per set with a .244 hitting percentage.
McNabb posted 13 kills each in wins against De Pere and Luxemburg-Casco. She had a stellar 15-kill outing in a 2-1 victory over Pewaukee.
With 109 digs, the 5-9 junior is also a defensive force. She collected 10 digs apiece against Hortonville and Xavier, both victories. On the service line, McNabb has 27 aces.
Payton Addink, sophomore, outside hitter
Addink is quickly becoming one of the top hitters in the Big Eight Conference. The 6-1 sophomore has 18 blocks and 99 kills. Addink pounded 10 kills against Pewaukee and eight in the Cardinals’ season opener against Wrightstown.
Addink, just a sophomore, isn’t afraid to rise up against stiff competition. She recorded three blocks in a 2-1 win over Luxemburg-Casco September 8.
Defensively, Addink had 13 digs against Madison Memorial and eight in a 2-0 sweep of New Holstein.
Josie Halbleib, sophomore, setter
Halbleib is doing a superb job quarterbacking Sun Prairie’s potent offense. The sophomore has 321 assists, averaging 6.3 per set. The 6-2 Halbleib is also dominant along the front row. She has 40 blocks, including five each against Wausau East and DeForest.
The sophomore has done a little bit of everything for the Cardinals. Halbleib has 22 service aces (five vs. Madison Memorial), 64 digs and 72 kills. She blistered Xavier with 11 kills on September 1.
Maggie Allaman, sophomore, middle hitter
The 5-10 Allaman has 30 blocks, 61 kills and 11 aces. Allaman carries an impressive .210 hitting percentage.
Allaman notched four-block matches in wins over DeForest, Xavier and Madison Memorial. She had seven kills against Wrightstown.
Gabby Braatz, senior, outside hitter
On a team with few seniors, the 5-9 Braatz is at the top. She has 52 kills, 10 blocks and 16 digs.
She had solid outings against Hortonville and Luxemburg-Casco, posting five kills per set. Braatz also had three services aces in a 2-0 loss to the Spartans September 8.
Kirsten Anderson, junior, middle hitter
When Allaman needs a break in the middle, Anderson is a nice option. Anderson has 43 kills, 26 blocks and is hitting .337.
She stumped Luxemburg-Casco with five blocks and six kills September 8. Anderson also had four blocks in a win over Notre Dame Academy September 1. As Sun Prairie looks to advance deep in the WIAA playoffs, Anderson will provide valuable depth.