Division 4 Teams Exceeding Expectations

<p>While seeding in the playoffs is like a roadmap to some, seeding is just a number.  Four division 4 teams have already proven to be better than their original seed, and they aren’t planning on slowing down any time soon. </p> <p><strong><u>Sectional 1 –</u></strong></p> <p><strong>#3 Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran (19-9)</strong></p> <p>The Lancers upset #2 McDonell Central on Saturday in 4 sets (25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-17).  The next challenge for the Lancers will be #1 Clayton (26-3). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33064" first="Marissa" last="Gilbertson"] </strong>(2019 – 5’5 – Setter) provides a threat from the service line, in addition to running the Bear’s offense.</p> <p>Her main weapons are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10237" first="Selena" last="Levendoski"] </strong>(2019 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33143" first="Jaedyn" last="Bussewitz"] </strong>(2019 – 5’5 – Outside Hitter).  Levendoski and Bussewitz together average almost 9 kills per set.  Levendoski also leads the front line of defense providing a formidable block.  If it gets past Levendoski, <strong>Kiana Fall </strong>(2019 – 5’2 – Libero) protects the back court and averages almost 4 digs per set.</p> <p><strong><u>Sectional 3 –</u></strong></p> <p><strong>#3 Alma/Pepin (14-5)</strong></p> <p>The Lakers defeated #2 Royall Saturday in a tight 3-set battle (25-22, 25-23, 25-23).  If they can take down a #2, they can take down a #1, right?  Well, not if Hillsboro has anything to say about it.  Hillsboro is led by <strong>Jessica Mitchell </strong>(2019 – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker) and <strong>Brookelyn Borchardt </strong>(2019 – Setter/Libero/Right Side). </p> <p>Mitchell averages 4 kills per set, and <strong>Abigail Nemec </strong>(2020 – 5’8 – Middle Blocker/Right Side) provides the second punch, averaging almost 3 kills per set. Mitchell also leads with 87 blocks and 275 digs.  Borchardt earns points from the service line and provides one half of Hillsboro’s 6-2 along with <strong>Sierra Johnson</strong>(2020 – Setter/Defensive Specialist).  The Lakers will probably start strong, but will they be able to hang on?</p> <p><strong>#6 Iowa-Grant (18-12)</strong></p> <p>Grant is getting used to causing chaos in the playoff bracket. and they are loving it!  Last Thursday they took out #3 Seneca in 4 sets (25-14, 25-23, 11-25, 26-24). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80177" first="Olivia" last="Liddicoat"] </strong>(2020 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter) and <strong>Hazel Klosterman </strong>(2021 – 5’8 – Setter/Right Side) led the charge. </p> <p>Liddicoat recorded 18 kills, 8 blocks, 6 digs, and an ace.  Klosterman added 18 assists, 5 digs, and an ace.  Then on Saturday the Panthers defeated #2 Benton in another 4-set battle (25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 25-15). </p> <p>Benton’s <strong>Sophie Dougherty</strong> (2019 – 5’9) led the fight with 17 digs and 16 kills, hitting a .382.  The Zephyr’s <strong>Sarah Fluhr </strong>(2020) led the offense with 32 assists. Klosterman recorded 4 aces while Liddicoat tallied 6 blocks to get the win. </p> <p>On Thursday Iowa-Grant will take on #1 River Ridge (22-0).  Liddicoat and the Panthers will have a challenge defending against <strong>Taylor Langmeier </strong>(2019 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker/Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter).  Will the Panthers be able to keep their Cinderella story going?</p> <p><strong><u>Sectional 4 –</u></strong></p> <p><strong>#3 Gibraltar (23-13)</strong></p> <p>The Vikings survived a 5-set battle on Saturday against #2 Central Wisconsin Christian (25-17, 24-26, 18-25, 25-14, 15-8).  Gibraltar has a plethora of weapons, including <strong>Payton Pluff </strong>(2019 – 5’10 – Setter/Right Side), <strong>Bria Caldecott </strong>(2019 – Outside Hitter), <strong>Bella Bunda </strong>(2020 – Outside Hitter), and <strong>Abby Site </strong>(2020 – Setter/Right Side).  Pluff leads the Vikings with 256 kills and has contributed 325 assists, 261 digs and 16 blocks. </p> <p>Caldecott averages almost 3 kills per set and has recorded 306 digs and 60 aces so far this season.  Bunda has added 163 kills on the season, while Site leads with 448 assists, averages almost 2 kills per set, and has added another 242 digs, 52 aces, and 16 blocks.  <strong>Agne Zukauskaite </strong>(2021 – Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter) threatens from the service line with 65 aces so far this season, and <strong>Karlee Kita </strong>(2021 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker) leads with 25 blocks. </p> <p>Behind Kita, <strong>Kayla Olson </strong>(2019 – Libero/Defensive Specialist) anchors the defense with 464 digs.  Needless to say, Gibraltar is dangerous and they get to take on #1 Hilbert (31-8) next.  This should be a tight match between a top seed and a team peaking at just the right time.</p>