Division 2 Underdogs Surviving Regionals

Breit Nelson October 24, 2018 @ 02:02 PM

We all love the underdog. They're unexpected rising stars as they peak at just the right time. David taking down Goliath. It is one of the things that makes the playoffs so exciting! Let's see who has already exceeded their postseason expectations. Sectional 1 – #6 Amery (21-4) Amery is used to being the underdog by this point. The Warriors have already upset #3 Ellsworth in a 5-set showdown last Thursday, ending 16-14 in the 5th set. Then Saturday night they defeated #2 St. Croix Central in 5 sets with another barn burner, ending up on top 17-15 in the 5th set. I think it's safe to say that Amery has been giving their fans their money's worth! Can Amery continue their hot streak when they face #1 Bloomer (32-6) on Thursday? They will have to shut down Bloomer's big swings [player_tooltip player_id="33073" first="Grace" last="Post"] (2019 – 5'10 – Outside Hitter) and [player_tooltip player_id="33142" first="Jessica" last="Barr"] (2019 – 5'10 – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter). The Warriors will also have to get the ball past Kenadi Poirier (2019 – 5'6 – Middle Blocker) and Bailey McConaughey (2019 – Libero). #2 Mosinee (35-6) Mosinee went up against a very tough #1 Merrill squad that had previously beaten them at the end of August. This match was back and forth the whole way, and Mosinee was well prepared. Mosinee's high flying [player_tooltip player_id="80237" first="Paige" last="Wicklund"] (2020 – 5'8 – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter) lead the charge for the Indians recording 14 kills. Merrill presented a threat from the service line with [player_tooltip player_id="33106" first="Kelsie" last="Belfiori"] (2019 – 5'5 – Libero/Defensive Specialist), recording 4 aces, but unfortunately service errors plagued the Bluejays as a whole. Mosinee's [player_tooltip player_id="80308" first="Aurora" last="Krause"] (2020 – 5'10 – Middle Blocker/Right Side) was a blocking machine as usual, leading both teams with 7 blocks. Krause does a great job closing a block and executing a solid press into the court. [caption id="attachment_26557" align="alignleft" width="276"] #1 Janae Antosch[/caption] The Indian's Ally Miller (2019 – 5'1 – Libero) is solid in serve-receive and makes sure all the routine stuff goes off without a hitch. Miller led both teams with 18 digs in the match. Janae Antioch (2019 – 5'9 – Setter/Pin Hitter) had another productive night for Mosinee, recording 19 assists, 6 kills, 4 aces, 4 digs, and 1 block. Mosinee will take on #1 West Salem (27-6) on Thursday, and they haven't previously played one another, but they have both lost to Stratford. If Mosinee can get a better start in the match, they may be celebrating another upset. Either way it will be a tight match!       Sectional 4 – #3 University School of Milwaukee (30-4) University School of Milwaukee (USM) defeated #3 Plymouth on Saturday in 4 sets (25-21, 10-25, 25-19, 25-15). USM was led by [player_tooltip player_id="32738" first="Chyna" last="Bacchus"] (2019 – 5'8 – Setter/Outside Hitter), who recorded a season high 22 kills and added 4 aces. Plymouth's Jana Ahlstrand (2020 – 5'7 – Setter) also tallied 4 aces in this showdown. USM's Lily Steinbach (2020 – Middle Blocker) provided a challenge for Plymouth's offense with 5 blocks. Plymouth's Elsa Blad (2019 – 5'5 – Defensive Specialist) recorded a career high 23 digs in the effort to stay in the tournament. USM's Adrianne DePoy (2020 – 5'11 – Setter) has plenty of weapons to set, and she took advantage by recording a career high 37 assists. USM will face #1 Kettle Moraine Lutheran (29-10) on Thursday. This will be another battle!