Lightning Strikes At FVA Fall Classic With Four Stories To Know
Tuesday night kicked off the season for athletes in the Fox Valley Association (FVA) with the FVA Fall Classic held at Fond du Lac High School. With all teams from the conference competing, it came down to two opponents that are all too familiar with each other in Appleton North and Kimberly. Kimberly has defeated North the past two seasons to advance to the state tournament, but it was North who had the upper hand Tuesday night. These two squads could potentially see each other up to three more times this season between tournaments, conference, and are in the same sectional again. What were the big stories from the FVA Fall Classic in Fondy?
Big night for Sophomore Brianna Cantrell of @anorth_vb – 11 kills in two sets over a win against Kimberly passing a 2.2 (that’s really good 😎) – top ten in the Class of 2022 in @PrepDigWI latest rankings pic.twitter.com/6264N5pC3H
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 28, 2019
Cantrell Takes Control
In some sports there are just certain athletes who can take over a game – they find another gear and light a spark to get their team going. For Appleton North, that was Brianna Cantrell. The 5’11 Sophomore started her season in a big way in leading the Lightning in a 2-0 win over Kimberly in the finals of the FVA Fall Classic. North was down early in set one 14-9 before clawing their way back, finding Cantrell to get the offense rolling to close out set one and then taking the early lead in set two and not looking back. Cantrell had 11 kills in two sets and passed a 2.2 in serve receive (which for the non-volleyball stat goers that’s REALLY good).
@anorth_vb takes the lead off another Cantrell kill as she heads to the backrow up 22-20 pic.twitter.com/br564ijDsc
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 28, 2019
The Kimberly Senior Class
Kimberly is bringing an extremely strong Senior class that includes Carlee Doering, Ruby Esser, Kalli Mau, Courtney Pearson, and Maddy Pearson. The first set I saw them play was a 25-5 win over Hortonville (which Hortonville will be a strong team in the conference). Courtney Pearson is back after suffering a knee injury in December and is getting back to doing Courtney Pearson like things which includes sharp cross-court swings and finding the open spot on the court. These five have been part of plenty of wins over their careers as Papermakers and Tuesday night showed this upcoming season will be no different.
Players to note at the FVA Fall Classic:
The @KimberlyGVB Senior Class 💯 pic.twitter.com/ukWPl1N3rO— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 27, 2019
Top Basketball Athletes Taking The Court
The FVA is not only a top conference when it comes to volleyball, but the conference also has some of the top basketball players in the state who are picking up some big offers. For Appleton West, they have Taylor Lauterbach, a Senior that has given her verbal to play basketball at Kansas State. Macy McGlone of Hortonville would be a definite college volleyball prospect, but she will be continuing her basketball career at UW-Milwaukee. Maddy Schreiber of Kimberly started in the middle last season for the Makers playing at state volleyball and basketball. Kimberly also has Kyla Dunaway who will be a top Class of 2023 prospect for basketball. Appleton East outside hitter Emily LaChapelle has received offers from Division 1 schools as well and is only a Sophomore.
@anorth_vb up 12-8 forcing a Kimberly TO. Front row for North is Freshman, Sophomore, Sophomore pic.twitter.com/ntNl7MfbEd
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 28, 2019
The Youth Attack of Appleton North
There were times last night where the Lightning had the majority of their court filled with underclassmen and a rotation where there are three Sophomores and a Freshman in the front row. Cantrell and Karissa (KC) Fortune are the main outside hitters where Fortune will start her first day of high school next week. Berkley Mischler is a fast and physical middle who was able to really control the net along with Bella Van Lannen on the right side. Madisen Miller is a DS/libero who controls the tempo in the backrow with her ability to read a hitter and take pace off a hard-driven swing.