Tonight’s Biggest Matches – September 28th, 2021

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tonight will be a game-changer in many conferences. Teams with winning records will face off against each other and I anticipate a number of five-set thrillers tonight. In rival conference matchups, there is no telling who could win. Here is a breakdown of the biggest matches tonight. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Franklin vs Oak Creek</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Franklin and Oak Creek are both 4-0 in conference play and have great season records as well. Both will be boasting some huge talent as they work to remain undefeated in the Southeast Conference. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Franklin’s side, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81263" first="Jaclyn" last="Dutkiewicz"]</strong> is an athlete to watch. She leads this team incredibly well as a setter in the back row and a hitter in the front. She contributes in all areas of the game and will be a key player tonight. The Luoma sisters, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117345" first="Ella" last="Luoma"]</strong> (2022) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122523" first="Claire" last="Luoma"]</strong> (2024) are defensive dynamos. They are both gritty and smart in the back row. Between the two of them, not much will fall. Middle blocker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144667" first="Kaitlin" last="Lauer"]</strong> is smart and explosive. She is effective as a blocker and hitter and is one of the go-to hitters on this team. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Oak Creek, watch out for outside hitters <strong>Natalie Erdmann</strong> (2022) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122464" first="Kaitlyn" last="Dohs"]</strong> (2024). Kaitlyn has a lethal line shot and is smart when using high hands of the opposing block. Natalie is incredibly smart with her shots and can execute in both the front and back row. Junior setter <strong>Avery Brieske</strong> knows her hitters incredibly well and will use her experience on the court to try and out-pace the Franklin defense. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Berlin Eisenhower vs Pius XI Catholic</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Berlin Eisenhower (2-2) and Pius (3-2) are in a tight battle in the Woodland West Conference standings. They have a one-match difference in conference play and are nearly identical in their season records. Both have young rosters touting several impactful 2024s and 2025s. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Lexi Bugasjki</strong> (2023) is the athlete to watch on the Eisenhower roster. She has been a major player on this varsity roster since her freshman year and has only continued to improve. Lexi brings power and finesse to the game and can mix up between a smart shot and a lethal hit quickly and efficiently. Freshman pin hitter <strong>Maddie Kowske</strong> is following closely in Lexi’s footsteps. She already has nearly 100 kills this season and will likely hit that milestone tonight. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118271" first="Natalie" last="Holzhauer"]</strong> will run the offense for the Lions and will be tough to read and gritty on the court. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pius Popes will look to pin hitter <strong>Grace Martens</strong> for leadership on the pin. She leads the team in kills and is essential on defense and in serve receive as well. Her sister <strong>Hope Martens</strong> (2025) will set along with <strong>Maeve Edmunds</strong> (2024). Both are impactful athletes on the court despite their young age. Middle hitter <strong>Reenie Ganzer</strong> (2023) puts up a tough block and can be hard to get past. She will be a barrier for the Lions to push past if they want to earn points. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edgewood vs. Sauk Prairie</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edgewood and Sauk Prairie are both undefeated in the Badger-West conference. This match will be major for both teams.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edgewood is lead by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81254" first="Natalie" last="Ring"]</strong> (committed to Marquette) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81264" first="Ally" last="Barth"]</strong> (committed to North Dakota State University); though 2023 athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91887" first="Addison" last="Schmotzer"]</strong> and 2024 athlete <strong>Gillian Koning</strong> are key players on offense as well.  Setters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="151425" first="Ella" last="Weber"]</strong> (2024) and <strong>Kayla Buelling</strong> will be key to the efficient running of this offense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sauk Prairie also has some incredibly impactful hitters including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="90597" first="Aida" last="Shadewald"]</strong> (committed to Wright State), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91940" first="Annika" last="Braund"]</strong> (2023), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158572" first="Maggie" last="Hartwig"]</strong> (2023). Libero and captain <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="117337" first="Alia" last="Schlimgen"]</strong> (Committed to South Dakota State) will be busy tonight on defense and serve receive. She is incredibly gritty on the court and is likely to frustrate the Edgewood offense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other Major Matches: </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lake Country Lutheran vs Heritage Christian</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green Bay Southwest vs Manitowoc Lincoln</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DSHA vs. Wauwatosa East</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kettle Moraine vs Catholic Memorial</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Slinger vs Hartford</span></p>