7 Players Leading Verona’s Hot Streak
There is no doubt undefeated Verona is turning heads in the Big Eight Conference, but what is the key to the 12-0 Wildcats’ success? That is a conundrum that none of Verona’s opponents have solved this season. The Wildcats have…
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Continue ReadingThere is no doubt undefeated Verona is turning heads in the Big Eight Conference, but what is the key to the 12-0 Wildcats’ success?
That is a conundrum that none of Verona’s opponents have solved this season. The Wildcats have several players capable of leaving their mark on a match. It’s difficult to concentrate on stopping one major threat.
Trimming this list to five is just not possible. Here are the top seven players making an impact for Verona this season.
Emma Frahm, senior, setter
While the Wildcats are getting plenty of firepower from Sophie Alexander and Maddy Kelley on the front row, it all starts with the table-setter.
Frahm is proving why she’s one of the top setters in the Big Eight. As of September 12, Frahm has 112 assists, averaging four per set. She is also a feared server with 20 services aces.
Defensively, Frahm has 36 digs. She posted six apiece in wins over Janesville Parker on September 4 and Middleton two days later.
Coach Kelly Annen said Frahm is one of her top returning players. The senior is living up to the hype.
Sophie Alexander, senior, outside hitter
Alexander is Verona’s most dangerous offensive weapon. Through 12 matches, the 5-11 senior has 62 kills, averaging 2.4 per set. She carries a .292 hitting percentage.
Alexander erupted for nine kills in a 3-0 sweep of Parker. She didn’t let up on defense, either, finishing with six digs.
She blocked three attempts against Shoreland Lutheran on August 25 and has 16 total blocks.
Maddy Kelley, junior, middle blocker
Alexander has developed a lethal blocking combo with Kelley, a rising junior. Kelley has 20 blocks this season. She stifled Monona Grove with five blocks in a 2-1 September 1 victory.
Kelley also posted nine kills against the Silver Eagles. Overall, the junior has 59 kills with a stellar .515 hitting percentage. Kelley has registered eight-kill matches against Parker, Middleton and Oregon.
Megan Touchett, junior, outside hitter
Touchett busted loose for seven kills in the 3-0 sweep of Parker. For the season, Touchett has 46 kills for a .280 hitting percentage. Defensively, she has nine digs.
Amelia Walton, senior, outside hitter
Walton stepped up September 1, knocking down six kills in a 2-0 sweep of Tomah. The senior has 38 total kills, 15 digs and seven blocks. Walton had a great all-around match against Middleton September 6, hustling for seven kills and four digs in the 3-0 win.
Nikki Phelps, senior, outside hitter
Phelps did not play in Verona’s first three matches of the season. She is making up for lost time.
Against Parker, the senior throttled the Vikings for 11 kills in two sets. She also had nine digs. Phelps followed that with a seven-kill outing against rival Middleton.
Phelps provides depth to a talented core of middle hitters.
Sydney Rae, senior, middle blocker
Rae made her presence felt against Middleton, stuffing the Cardinals for four blocks. The six-foot senior has 11 total blocks and 34 kills. Rae is hitting .292.
Rae is a solid complement to Kelley in the middle and will likely spell the junior during long matches. That is if the Wildcats actually get pushed to four or five sets this fall.