Division 1 Teams To Look Out For In 2019

<p>The 2018 season may have ended less than a month ago, but I think there are some teams that may not have made it to the big stage or had the most impressive record, but they took on formidable opponents with very young rosters.  Here are three division 1 teams that I believe will be forces to reckon with in 2019.</p> <p><strong><u>Hamilton</u></strong></p> <p>Hamilton may have ended their season 24-21 but had a tough schedule this season.  They also had big wins against Kimberly, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, and Greendale.  The Chargers lost to Arrowhead in sectionals, but not without a fight taking them to a fifth set.  They were close, and they are losing 1 big piece in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32740" first="McKenna" last="Packer"] </strong>(2019 – Committed To Lewis University).  They will, however, have plenty of returnees in every other position. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80154" first="Sarah" last="Schrader"] </strong>(2020 – Committed To UW-Milwaukee) led the Chargers this past season with 415 digs, 322 kills, and 83 aces.  Schrader had a strong float and did a great job controlling digs to target.  She was also really tough to dig, attacking from the backdrop, and earned WVCA 2^nd Team All-State honors.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56448" first="Janelle" last="Stuempfig"] </strong>(2021 – 5’11 – Setter) ran a 5-1 and had great hands, along with awesome hustle.  Schrader and Stuempfig will lead a strong 2020 and 2021 crew in the 2019 season.</p> <p><strong><u>Brookfield Central</u></strong></p> <p>Central had notable wins this past season against Greendale, East Troy, and Kettle Moraine Lutheran.  The Lancers lost a lot of seniors from the 2018 class but kept the challenging schedule.  They had some shining moments but lacked consistency, which is common with young teams.</p> <p>The Lancers actually ended their season in regional finals to Hamilton in a 4-set battle.  The main draw to the Lancers is <strong>McKenna Wucherer </strong>(2022 – Committed To Minnesota).  She can put the ball wherever she wants because she sees the whole court and has the ball control to place it.  Wucherer also earned WVCA 1^st Team All-State. </p> <p>Another scary returning weapon for the Lancers is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81253" first="Morgan" last="Daugherty"] </strong>(2022 - 6’2 – Middle Blocker/Right Side).  She runs a nice slide and really smart routes, keeping opposing blockers engaged.  The Lancer’s defensive key, <strong>Maddie Weyker </strong>(2020 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter), led the team with 340 digs, as well as earned WVCA All-State Honorable Mention. Another key returnee is their offensive leader, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81283" first="Tatum" last="Kebisek"] </strong>(2022 – 5’8 – Setter), who ran a 5-1 with many weapons. </p> <p><strong><u>West Bend West</u></strong></p> <p>The Spartans lost in regional finals to Watertown with most of the sets in the 4-set match being close.  West has a strong 2020 class when it comes to attackers with <strong>Sidney Paulson </strong>(5’10 – Right Side/Middle Blocker), <strong>Maddie Rettler </strong>(5’8 – Middle Blocker), and <strong>McKenzie Zywicki </strong>(5’8 – Pin Hitter). Paulson led her team with 477 digs, 284 kills, and 65 blocks, but she is not only a threat at the net but also from the service line with 53 aces, and her play in 2018 earned her an All-State Honorable Mention recognition. </p> <p>While the 2020 class held the firepower, an underclassman ran the offense in 2018.  <strong>Molly Spaeth </strong>(2021 – 5’5 – Setter) ran a 5-1 and led her squad with 470 assists.  West ended their season 20-22 but had a notable win over Kimberly in late September at the West Bend Sprawl.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>