5 Lessons Learned in the Wisconsin Lutheran Sweep of Catholic Memorial High School

Prep Dig Kansas covers live summer event in Topeka.

Rachel Kass October 26, 2018 @ 05:47 AM

We all know that Wisconsin Lutheran and Catholic Memorial High School are two of the biggest names in Division II volleyball here in Wisconsin, and this year is no different. The teams went head to head in the sectional semifinal last night and man was it a match to watch. <h2>Momentum Is Everything</h2> Wisconsin Lutheran came in hot and didn’t let up until the very last point. Catholic Memorial put up an amazing fight; they made Wisco work for that match. Yet, Wisco still swept them. There was nothing that could stop the Lady Vikings last night, not even the Crusaders 6 rotation outside hitter, senior Jenna Weinfurt, who was a dominant force on offense and defense throughout the match. Wisco’s Julia Treichel (Prep Dig Rank #13) was unstoppable. Her intensity and competitiveness helped Wisco capture and keep all of their momentum. <h2>Don’t Overlook Right Back</h2> When a setter is running a 5-1 offense, it is so easy to overlook or take advantage of the athlete who plays back row opposite of the setter. Not for Wisconsin Lutheran. In fact, senior defensive specialist Megan Smrz was an instrumental player on Thursday night. She picked up everything that came her way. Couple that with a highly competitive serve, and you can see why she is such a great player. <h2>A Fast Offense Brings Big Points</h2> Every setter on the court last night was just amazing, on both sides. All three of them ran the court so well, hustled, and moved the ball fast, consistent, and smooth into the hands of their hitters. Unfortunately for Catholic Memorial they struggle getting an offense going on Wisco’s big blocks, but their setters truly did everything they could to set them up for success. It felt as if the Viking’s Grace Beyer was conducting the court. She is a clear leader for Wisconsin Lutheran and it showed on Thursday night. She set the pace of the game and everything fell into place for the team. On the Crusader’s side, senior setters Caroline Dragini (Committed to Portland State) and Jessie Connell showed grit and determination. Caroline can put a ball anywhere from any place on the court. Jessie not only has great hands but also showed amazing resiliency and leadership even when her team was down. <h2>Serve Receive is King </h2> Both sides played amazing defense, that was quite obvious. Sophomore libero, Isabella Halcomb for the Crusaders, defended her backcourt ferociously, despite many out of system plays and the fast pace of the game. But where Wisconsin Lutheran truly brought the edge, was their almost flawless serve receive. The Vikings just didn’t make mistakes on serve receive, which is so rare. They were led by senior libero Morgan Dunn who was fast, consistent and never let a ball drop in her backcourt. <h2>Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork</h2> If anything can be said about Wisconsin Lutheran’s team this year it is that they are fluid. They rarely make mistakes and even when they do, they still find a way to put it into the court. They are scrappy yet controlled, fierce yet patient. And every athlete on that team makes a huge impact. Their ability to play near flawless volleyball and look like they were having the time of their lives doing it is what makes this sport and this team special. Catholic Memorial put up a great battle against this seemingly unstoppable team. This was an awesome match, and both teams came in fighting. Wisconsin Lutheran moves onto the Sectional Championship against Kettle Moraine Lutheran on Saturday night.