Wisconsin Teams and Athletes Off To A Blazing Start

We’re halfway through this very interesting season to say the least. Some teams playing fall, some teams playing fall in the spring, and of the teams playing fall - each chance they take the court really is something to be grateful for. Here are athletes, teams, and things to konw with our midseason check-in with teams across the state. [caption id="attachment_111195" align="aligncenter" width="500"]<img class=" wp-image-111195" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC09600.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /> [player_tooltip player_id="80721" first="Tatum" last="Catalano"] attacking this summer for Gtown.[/caption] Germantown is on FIRE! The Warhawks have started out with an 11-0 record which has included wins over the likes of Lakeside Lutheran, Lake Country Lutheran, Brookfield Central, and DSHA. There is no easy out in this schedule as they have another top matchup Tuesday night against Sussex Hamilton. Outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id="61819" first="Lily" last="Wagner"] and UW-Milwaukee commit [player_tooltip player_id="80721" first="Tatum" last="Catalano"] are leading the way from the pin, scoring points in bunches, but its the balance of this squad that has really made the difference. [player_tooltip player_id="80761" first="Sophia" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="80758" first="Lauren" last="Sitter"] have been hitting .300 out of the middle and ultimately the X-Factor for [player_tooltip player_id="81278" first="Maddie" last="Connor"] to dish to anyone. [caption id="attachment_111196" align="aligncenter" width="505"]<img class=" wp-image-111196" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/thumb_DSC00984_1024-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="505" height="330" /> CMH blocking at the Asics Challenge in 2019[/caption] CMH is BACK! Another year older, another year wise, Catholic Memorial is atop of the D2 rankings at 11-1 with their only loss coming to Arrowhead (2019 D1 State Champions). Baylor commit [player_tooltip player_id="80715" first="Kaitlyn" last="Riley"] is controlling the net averaging nearly 2.5 kills, hitting .347 and has 50 total blocks. Fellow Senior, Isabella Halcomb has been quarterbacking the backrow, leading the team in kills and is always dependable to make a consistent first contact. The huge addition to this team is setter [player_tooltip player_id="81267" first="Lily" last="Lutz"]. Lutz is averaging over eight assists per set and is a pure playmaker. [caption id="attachment_111197" align="aligncenter" width="452"]<img class=" wp-image-111197" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC09198.jpg" alt="" width="452" height="301" /> Randolph at Prep Dig Sizzle[/caption] Randolph a New D3 Team To Know! With some new classifications, there are teams who are moving up a division that will create an interesting dynamic. Randolph has traditionally been a D4 squad who has run into the likes of Catholic Central that is currently #1 in D4 come sectional play. The Rockets are off to a 12-0 start. One of their most recent wins comes against D1 Kaukauna. Kaukauna has beaten Howards Grove and Mosinee, two strong D2 and D3 squads. Carizma Muth and Cassie Alsum have been leading the way as attackers and Jorey Bulwalda is leading the way with over 300 assists. This team is young, balanced, and extremely athletic. [caption id="attachment_111198" align="aligncenter" width="474"]<img class=" wp-image-111198" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC09303-e1601919609232-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="474" height="311" /> FVL at the Prep Dig Sizzle[/caption] FVL, Building Momentum For New Division I was shocked to see FVL would be a D1 team this year, I guess I just didn’t picture them to be up with the big schools, but their game and style is one that can compete with anyone. All summer they faced the likes of Luxemburg-Casco and Notre Dame Academy in their summer league and were ultra competitive in Prep Dig Events in July and August. A young squad, but incredibly balanced the Foxes are led by Mickenzi Benter averaging 3.5 kills per set along with Cassie Patchett and Samantha Kempinger. Senior setter Holly Malkowski is averaging nine assists per set. The combo of FVL and Sauk Prairie (two former D2 top teams) going to compete with the likes of Arrowhead and Oconomowoc will be quite the potential section battle. [caption id="attachment_101058" align="aligncenter" width="509"]<img class="wp-image-101058" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/DSC09359.jpg" alt="" width="509" height="339" /> Prentice[/caption] Traditional Names Still Highlight North Central Wisconsin McDonell Central, Columbus Catholic and Prentice are off to a strong start and represent three of the top five spots in the D4 poll. McDonell Central has a 9-0 start and Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id="80756" first="Maggie" last="Craker"] is extremely dynamic, averaging over nine assists per set and is at a kill and a half as well. Columbus Catholic is always full of power and is led by [player_tooltip player_id="57248" first="Dorci" last="Walker"] who is averaging nearly five kills per set. The only losses Columbus Catholic has suffered is to McDonell Central. Another squad down the road is Prentice. Prentice’s only losses have come to Phillips (another team to keep tabs on), but will continue to be a threat in their section behind outside hitter and major point scorer [player_tooltip player_id="80845" first="Olivia" last="Burcaw"].