Alternate Season Champions Crowned To Cap Wild Year

And we’re done. For teams competing in the alternate season, in a matter of a 10 days they had a senior night, regionals, sectionals, and a state tournament. They crossed the finish line, a season was had, and we have cause to celebrate (and for most - a nap). Here is a quick timeline of teams competing in the alternate season.   June 2020 - For most teams, they were still in quarantine. Schools were closed, organized team activities were on pause, there were still plenty of questions as to if and when teams would be able meet. June is typically the month where teams start their strength, speed, and agility training. Athletes would have to improvise with their own fitness when questions of when they would be able to return to their school workout facilities.   July 2021 - Some summer leagues and open gyms have resumed. However, rules with schools were all over the place as far as how many were allowed in the gym, some teams working out in pods, and some teams not allowed in their school to train at all.   August 2021 - The mask mandate is in effect. If wearing a mask meant playing volleyball then so be it. This was also the time when schools were starting to make decisions about if they would be playing a fall season. Some deciding as a conference, others looking for another conference to play with, and more questions. For the athletes who were not playing in the fall, the outlook wasn’t good. For these athletes, they’ve heard the phrases, “canceled”, “to be determined”, or “until further notice” all too much.   While the alternate season athletes watched others around the state start their school season and covid numbers spiking, the morale continued to go down with plenty of questions. Add on what would the alternate season look like with club volleyball happening at the same time? Would there be a postseason? Would this be a season just for “fun” with a few conference matches and that’s it?   As February neared, the alternate season was going to happen. School gyms were book finishing the basketball season while also starting boys volleyball, girls volleyball, and football. With the alternate season starting, plans were made for a fast and furious postseason that concluded this past weekend with Washburn being crowned in Division 2 and Appleton North taking the title in D1. We made it to the finish line. An alternate fall season happened.   How Did It Go Down?   Washburn 3 Brodhead 1 The Castle Guards made the trip to Kaukauna from the Northwest where they played a lineup full of seniors which consisted of six players the whole match and no libero. After taking the first two sets, Brodhead rallied behind the performance of Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="91891" first="Abbie" last="Dix"] to take the third. However, the Castle Guards made the last rally to take home the title in set four 25-21.   Names To Know <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Caitlin Wheeler again for Washburn! She hits it so square, great hand contact <a href="https://t.co/jAlp73EdPF">pic.x.com/jAlp73EdPF</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1383494097319518215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Caitlin Wheeler - Washburn Wheeler was solid and consistent from the pin where she had solid hand contact, putting plenty of pace on every swing. She could hit sharp cross or deep line as well as use the block to her advantage. She led the Castle Guards with 18 kills in the championship. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The other Wheeler on the squad. Lily Wheeler. Setter Riley Johnson running a smooth offense Washburn 1-0 Wash 7 Brodhead 6 <a href="https://t.co/0vKYMDJsct">pic.x.com/0vKYMDJsct</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1383488848890535946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Lily Wheeler - Washburn Extremely explosive. Wheeler is a 5’10 middle blocker with the quick hops and a fast arm who was able to score points all over the court. She also knew where and when to send it deep to the corner where she had the defense guessing everytime she attacked. Her connection with setter Riley Johnson was solid as Johnson tallied 48 total assists. [caption id="attachment_139696" align="aligncenter" width="440"]<img class="wp-image-139696 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC07147.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="293" /> Meghan Daugherty #14[/caption] Megan Daugherty - Washburn Daughtery made one of the biggest plays of the game when she adjusted her block in set four to stop [player_tooltip player_id="91891" first="Abbie" last="Dix"] from scoring to the deep corner. This block stopped momentum and also sparked Washburn towards the set four win and the title. She also contributed 15 kills in the match as well.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://x.com/AbbieDix_32?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbbieDix_32</a> - a top 2023 basketball standout is also showing her power on the volleyball court. What an athlete for Brodhead <a href="https://x.com/LetitRain2023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LetitRain2023</a> <a href="https://x.com/letitrainbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@letitrainbball</a> <a href="https://t.co/nmDsYDbYsX">pic.x.com/nmDsYDbYsX</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1383482690054197257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="91891" first="Abbie" last="Dix"] - Brodhead Dix is a rising prospect in the Class of 2023 for hoops, but she is such a natural athlete where she carried the Cardinals to a runner-up finish which included 18 kills in the championship and 23 kills in the semifinals. Dix is primarily a middle blocker, but plays all rotations and scores in the front and backrow. She sees the floor incredibly well and knows how to play big in big moments. <img class=" wp-image-139695 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC07109.jpg" alt="" width="459" height="306" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91893" first="Alexis" last="Kammerer"] - Brodhead Kammerer is only a Sophomore and will return with a strong core of athletes for Brodhead next year. An all around athlete, Kammerer has a smooth release and great hands that can hit all the tempos. She also has the savvy and court sense to score on the second contact as well.   Appleton North 3 Manitowoc Lincoln 0 The scoreboard shows a sweep, but Manitowoc Lincoln gave North all they could handle before the Lightning really started rolling in set three. North has a frontline of five athletes six feet or taller and their NCAA D2 commit to Minnesota State Mankato setter, [player_tooltip player_id="80719" first="Brooke" last="Bolwerk"]. A high powered, long, and athletic crew with Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="81269" first="Bella" last="Van Lannen"], [player_tooltip player_id="57241" first="Brianna" last="Cantrell"], and [player_tooltip player_id="81262" first="Berkley" last="Mischler"] along with Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="91877" first="Karissa" last="Fortune"] and Freshman, [player_tooltip player_id="122483" first="Ella" last="Demetrician"]. [player_tooltip player_id="57260" first="Mary" last="Satori"] and [player_tooltip player_id="56470" first="Lauren" last="Borchardt"] led the way to the Ships with 22 of their 35 kills.   Standouts [caption id="attachment_139694" align="aligncenter" width="488"]<img class="wp-image-139694" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC07241.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="325" /> [player_tooltip player_id="57241" first="Brianna" last="Cantrell"] celebrating a kill[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="57241" first="Brianna" last="Cantrell"]/[player_tooltip player_id="122483" first="Ella" last="Demetrician"] - Appleton North The outside duo are some of the best in their respective classes. With over half of the teams kills between these two as well as primary passers in serve receive they have all of the tools to be high level players. They will both be on the FC Elite 18 Elite team who will play in 18 Open at USAV Nationals in Columbus this weekend.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Libero [player_tooltip player_id="81261" first="Madisen" last="Miller"] has been making huge plays all night. Uncommitted 2022 plays club for <a href="https://x.com/stingvb1988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stingvb1988</a> 17 Gold North 23 Manty 20 <a href="https://t.co/whixv7USWp">pic.x.com/whixv7USWp</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1383588694339178499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="81261" first="Madisen" last="Miller"] - Appleton North Miller turns a tough serve into a free ball with how she is able to create angles with her platform and give star setter [player_tooltip player_id="80719" first="Brooke" last="Bolwerk"] a chance to distribute to any of their attackers. She finds a way to be in the right spot at the right time, anticipates the tip, and is solid on block coverage. She was a gamechanger this past week. [caption id="attachment_139693" align="aligncenter" width="515"]<img class="wp-image-139693" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC07282.jpg" alt="" width="515" height="343" /> [player_tooltip player_id="57260" first="Mary" last="Satori"] attacking for Mantiwooc Lincoln[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="56470" first="Lauren" last="Borchardt"]/[player_tooltip player_id="57260" first="Mary" last="Satori"] - Manitowoc Lincoln These two have been quite the duo all season for the Ships. Borchardt will head to St. Norbert and run track and field while also playing volleyball. Satori always found ways to swing to the open court. A dominant player in the area who has already verballed to play volleyball at Minnesota-Duluth   Claire Swoboda - Manitowoc Lincoln Swoboda finished the night with seven kills. Through the semifinals and finals, Swoboda was able to seal the block and always be available in transition to swing. <img class=" wp-image-139691 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/SizzleRegistrationLive-300x300.png" alt="" width="462" height="462" />