Underclassmen Ready To Take On Class 2A Regional Finals
The Freshmen and Sophomores are “no longer” Freshmen and Sophomores at this point in the season. They have 30 to 40 matches under their belt, they have played some of the top teams in the state, and now they have…
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Continue ReadingThe Freshmen and Sophomores are “no longer” Freshmen and Sophomores at this point in the season. They have 30 to 40 matches under their belt, they have played some of the top teams in the state, and now they have their chance to get to the state’s largest stage in Cedar Rapids next week. Class 1A, 2A, and 3A will have their chance to punch their ticket Monday night and here are some players to watch that might not even have their drivers license yet.
Kaebre Sullivan, Meredith Street – Sophomore – Osage (Blocking on title photo. Photo Cred: Mason City Globe Gazette)
Claudia Aschenbrenner, Jaden Francis – Freshmen – Osage
Osage will be looking to get to their fourth consecutive state tournament. With Juniors Dani Johnson and Paige Kisley leading the way, they have a strong core of underclassmen that will play a key role. Sullivan and Aschenbrenner are strong out of the middle and are physical attackers where Street is a jolt of lightning tot he lineup that can do whatever the team needs. Sullivan and Street are a strong beach combo which shows in their all around game on the hardcourt. Francis is leading the Green Devils in digs. Osage will take on Emmetsburg at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura.
Jewel Bergrstrom – Sophomore – Boyden-Hull
Western Christian isn’t the only team in town, Boyden-Hull has tallied 25 wins this season and will take on Western in a regional final at Rock Valley. Bergstrom is the starting setter for Boyden-Hull and has nearly 700 assists this season, good for nearly seven a set along with nearly two digs per set. Of the nine losses that Boyden-Hull has, only two of them are to teams outside of Sioux County (Sioux City East and Sergeant Bluff-Luton). Western has defeated Boyden-Hull twice this season.
Lainy Thoren – Sophomore – Grundy Center
Thoren blocking on the leftThoren is a really athletic middle for the Spartans who are accustomed to playing some of the top teams in the state. Thoren is able to get from pin to pin to close the block, but is also smart with where to go with her shots to score points while also being efficient. Monday’s matchup with Underwood will feature two teams with 30 plus wins when they take on Underwood at Saydel High School.
Kiersten Schmitt – Sophomore – Beckman
Beckman is back. A traditional 2A power in Eastern Iowa has made their way back to a regional final and will hope to punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids where they will take on Denver at Sumner-Fredericksburg. Schmitt will play a key role for the Blazers as an athlete who can do a little bit of everything from attacking, setting, and blocking. While being second on the team in kills averaging nearly two per set, Schmitt also has over 200 assists and 61 total blocks on the year.
Allison Bonnette – Sophomore – Denver
Ella CafferyKayla Knowles – Freshman – Denver
Denver is definitely a team to keep tabs on not only Monday night, but for the next couple years with multiple athletes who are Freshmen and Sophomores. Bonnette leads the team with over 400 kills and averages over four per game. Knowles is second on the team in kills with over 200. The combination of the two will be a force to be reckoned with in the Cedar Valley for the next couple of years.
Ella Caffery, Kelsey Drake – Sophomore – Wilton
Wilton knocked off Grundy Center last year in what was an upset to get to Cedar Rapids. Caffery and Drake played a role as Freshman and now they are leading the Beavers this season as Sophomores. The team are able to set to each other in their 6-2 offense where they have combined for over 800 assists and over 650 kills. With the overall ball control from Wilton, they make it tough to score points on.