Who Did We Find In 2019? – Part 3
Let’s continue the epic series because I know all of you can’t wait to see who we found next! I spent A LOT of time in the gym, and after seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to…
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Continue ReadingLet’s continue the epic series because I know all of you can’t wait to see who we found next! I spent A LOT of time in the gym, and after seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to write a series on an awesome group of athletes who have made their way onto our radar since August. Here’s Part 3!
Avery PennekampMcFarland (37-4)
Avery Pennekamp (2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter) finished her sophomore season with almost 400 kills and was the go-to outside hitter for McFarland. In the back court Peyton Witt (2020 – 5’7 – Defensive Specialist) showed her skill with nice defensive movement. McFarland finished their season as Division 2 runner-up with an overall record of 37-4.
Edgar (14-15)
Bailey ImhoffBailey Imhoff (2020 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter) showed over and over that she is a strong server. She has a strong jump float and tricky short serve. Imhoff also has a number of tools to score for her team. She hits a high cross court shot, nails the deep corners, and she can paint the back line, tool the block, or make a smart tip over the block. Imhoff is also scrappy on defense.
The Wildcats will lose Imhoff to graduation, but there are a few attackers to pick up where she left off. Desirae Rausch (2022 – Middle Blocker) makes smart tip shots to the 1-2 side, while Olivia Urmanski (2021 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter) protects the net with a big block. The next senior leader in 2020 will be Gabbi Keim (2021 – 5’10 – Right Side Hitter), who can tool the block while hitting high hands and powering through the block. She can find corners or the line with a quick swing, taking advantage of a single or late blocker. Keim is really good with anything tight on the net, and she sets up a big strong block.
Reagan BorchardtThe future of the Wildcats is Reagan Borchardt (2023 – Middle Blocker), who has an aggressive presence at the net. She is a big blocker with great timing, nice press, and quick reactions. Offensively, Borchardt can smoke the 1 corner, cut back, hammer the angles, and pound the seam. After entering a low flat serve, she covers corners and shows great hustle on defense.
Luck (10-15)
Luck had a tough season; but early in the season, I caught a glimpse of a hidden gem. Britta Hibbs (2021 – Setter/Pin Hitter) was taking a hard swing down the line in a clutch moment. She is a classic do-it-all player for a small school.
Bloomer (32-8)
Bloomer was the dark horse of the state tournament this year, and they were led by a group of seniors, including their setters Jordan Klima (2020 – 5’5 – Setter) and Rylie Jarr (2020 – 5’5 – Setter). Klima has a solid serve down the line, while Jarr has a really nice jump set and gets the ball all the way to the pin. Their middles, Megan Bischel (2020 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker) and Emma Krejci (2020 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker), are solid. Bischel runs a nice quick route and uses the block by finding high hands. Krejci has a high reach, puts up a huge block, and has a tough serve.
Shantelle RufI was a big fan of Shantelle Ruf (2020 – 5’4 – Defensive Specialist), a strong defender who got great touches and anticipates well. She is also a strong server who takes teams out of system. Each pin hitter found a way to score in her own way. Emma Seibel (2020 – 5’7 – Outside Hitter) takes a solid swing down the line, while Larissa Fossum (2020 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter) takes a heavy swing in the split and is a really good communicator.
The pins of the future also have their ways to score. Bella Seibel (2023 – 5’9 – Pin Hitter) has a really nice line swing from the right side while Lexi Post (2022 – 5’9 – Pin Hitter) elevates, and when she beats the block, she takes a heavy swing. Then Nicole Breu (2021 – 5’7 – Pin Hitter) comes in and executes a smart roll shot into the campfire. Finally, Josie Kostner (2021 – 5’6 – Libero) is a solid defender but also scores as a strong server.
New Richmond (19-15)
The Menomonie Sprawl gave an opportunity to find a lot of new names and hidden gems. New Richmond showcased Brittany Emmerich (2020 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker), who runs a solid route and can use the block.
Stratford (37-4)
Tanaya SchillingerOne year after ending up as the Division 3 state runner-ups, Stratford had another solid season with many new contributors. Breanna Ackley (2021 – Middle Blocker) puts up a big block and hits over blockers with a high contact and fast swing. Kamryn Schueller (2020 – Middle Blocker) places smart tips, hits high off hands, powers through the block, or cuts it back to the 1 side.
She protects the net and eats up the “lunchball” along with Mikayla Guldan (2021 – Outside Hitter). Guldan also puts up a big hanging block and uses a smart soft tip off the block. Tanaya Schillinger (2021 – Outside Hitter) finds high hands and works the edges of the block as well as having a smart and well-placed serve.