The Joust – Pool Previews and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're here!&nbsp; The opening weekend of tournaments in Wisconsin.&nbsp; I'm going to put the Joust, which takes place at Homestead High School, under a microscope as we take a look at the pools, the top players, and what could be some potential outcomes.&nbsp; This year's field returns seven state tournament qualifiers from 2021 and two defending state champions (Oconomowoc and Howards Grove) and two defending state runner-up finishers (Appleton North and Lake Country Lutheran).&nbsp; Let's take a look.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pools</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":220429,"width":196,"height":236,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/DSC09102-scaled-e1661452570604-854x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220429" width="196" height="236"/><figcaption>Schulz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A&nbsp; - Oconomowoc Kimberly, Brookfield Central, Homestead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no secret that Oconomowoc is going to the team who will be hunted all throughout the season.&nbsp; They are the defending state champions and return a lot of kills with [player_tooltip player_id='122475' first='Anna' last='Bjork'] (Notre Dame) and [player_tooltip player_id='91876' first='Cordelia' last='Kearns'] (Florida Tech) along with the top setter in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='122568' first='Lilly' last='Wagner'] (Maryland).&nbsp; However, there will be some openings for Oconomowoc where new athletes will look to fill.&nbsp; Kimberly will come into the event with a strong senior group with Green Bay commit, [player_tooltip player_id='82921' first='Kaitlin' last='Schulz'] on the outside.&nbsp; Brookfield Central graduated the best player in the state in Mckenna Wucherer and a really strong senior class overall, but I wouldn't count them out.&nbsp; Seeing them play this summer, they showed some flash with a lot of athleticism that could surprise some teams.&nbsp; Make note of [player_tooltip player_id='178029' first='Emma' last='Koceja'], the up and coming sophomore on the outside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who advances? Oconomowoc and Brookfield Central&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":166150,"width":246,"height":257,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/252343747_883409178974096_4697142534333490793_n-e1661452309599.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-166150" width="246" height="257"/><figcaption>Molnau blocking<br>Photo: Breit Nelson Prep Dig</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>B - DSHA, Lake Country Lutheran, Arrowhead, West Bend West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DSHA might be the deepest in the state, returning the top sophomore in Wisconsin in [player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] and having a full cupboard of passers and attackers.  They will be in the hunt for every tournament they compete in.  Lake Country Lutheran is the D3 runner-up from 2021 and will return Senior, [player_tooltip player_id='82893' first='Rachel' last='Rossing'] (SIUE) and one of the top sophomore middles in [player_tooltip player_id='178030' first='Karli' last='Molnau'].  Arrowhead could be a tough mismatch in this pool where they have plenty of size with [player_tooltip player_id='122574' first='Olivia' last='Wyma'] and [player_tooltip player_id='122573' first='Gabby' last='Wold'] who have plenty of varsity experience.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who advances? DSHA and Lake Country Lutheran&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C - Appleton North, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Cedarburg, St. Thomas More</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":155375,"width":336,"height":224,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/DSC09115.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-155375" width="336" height="224"/><figcaption>Fortune and [player_tooltip player_id='122566' first='Emerson' last='Van Lannen']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Appleton North graduated a big senior class that featured four Division 1 commits and Florida commit [player_tooltip player_id='119394' first='Kennedy' last='Martin'] moved to South Carolina.&nbsp; However, there are plenty of athletes who have been waiting their turn to take on a bigger role.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='119395' first='Olivia' last='Lasee'] (Lehigh) will be a force out of the middle and two big time, six rotation pins in [player_tooltip player_id='122483' first='Ella' last='Demetrician'] (Michigan) and [player_tooltip player_id='91877' first='Karissa' last='Fortune'] (Drake).&nbsp; KML is always a scrappy team and will feature middle [player_tooltip player_id='82287' first='Emily' last='Honzelka'], a commit to Toledo.&nbsp; Cedarburg will be paced defensively by [player_tooltip player_id='122466' first='Jae' last='Fitting'], one of the top liberos in the Class of 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who Advances - Appleton North and KML&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D - Howard Grove, Brookfield East, Appleton Xavier, Nicolet,&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":163607,"width":289,"height":214,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/10/DSC09110-1-e1660585830969-1024x757.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163607" width="289" height="214"/><figcaption>Damrow</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a really tough pool.&nbsp; I could see this being a three way tie with Howards Grove, Brookfield East, and Xavier going 2-1.&nbsp; Howards Grove has the top player in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='82282' first='Saige' last='Damrow'] where she will head to Wisconsin as a libero, but typically plays on the outside for high school.&nbsp; The Tigers have won the past three gold balls in D3 and as always, will stick to their game with precise serve receive and gritty defense.&nbsp; Brookfield East returns [player_tooltip player_id='82901' first='Maddy' last='McGath'] (West Virginia) where she is one of the most physical players in the state.&nbsp; East could have some freshmen contribute.&nbsp; They may not be an early favorite, but watch out for them as the season progresses. &nbsp; Xavier is once again going to be the Cinderella of this tournament where they found their way to gold pools in 2021 through a three way tie.&nbsp; The Hawks have a really talented team with a lot of size and ball control.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who Advances? Howards Grove and Xavier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":190389,"width":257,"height":171,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/DSC03355.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-190389" width="257" height="171"/><figcaption>Zgonc</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>E - Sussex Hamilton, Kettle Moraine, Menomonee Falls, Neenah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a fun pool where there is a lot of familiarity between Hamilton, Kettle Moraine, and Menomonee Falls.&nbsp; Hamilton will be led by Sylve Zgonc, the South Dakota State commit is one of the most powerful attackers in the state and will be scoring a lot of points for the Chargers this year.&nbsp; Same goes for Kettle Moraine, [player_tooltip player_id='91875' first='Grace' last='Grocholski'], the West Virginia basketball commit has been filling up the stat sheet since her freshman year.&nbsp; Katie Lockwood&nbsp; of Falls will be another big outside for these teams to contend with.&nbsp; This is going to be tough.&nbsp; I could see this pool having a 2-1 three way tie, this is splitting hairs.&nbsp; Hamilton could see Falls multiple times throughout the season, they will want to set the standard by claiming round one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who Advances? Sussex Hamilton and Kettle Moraine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>F - Burlington, Germantown, Waukesha West, Greendale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":220428,"width":333,"height":222,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/DSC09210.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220428" width="333" height="222"/><figcaption>Greendale</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three are some high level athletes in this field where it could be very interesting with these matchups.&nbsp; Burlington is bringing back a lot of its state tournament team from 2021 led by Marquette commit [player_tooltip player_id='91895' first='Molly' last='Berezowitz'] who could be a libero or outside hitter.&nbsp; They have the athletes and polished fundamentals to compete with the top teams in the state.&nbsp; Germantown will be led by Liberty recruit, [player_tooltip player_id='61819' first='Lily' last='Wagner'], who can score plenty of points and will most likely surpass 1,000 kills in her career this eason.&nbsp; However, Waukesha West and Greendale have some athletes who can make an impact.&nbsp; West has [player_tooltip player_id='122515' first='Brylee' last='Leverenz'] who can set and swing for the Wolverines.&nbsp; Same goes for [player_tooltip player_id='178032' first='Billie' last='Reiter'] who is one of the top setter/pin hitters in the Class of 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who Advances? Burlington and Germantown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who is going to the Gold Bracket?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is tough to call.&nbsp; However, at this point in the season, the teams who are returning the most experience generally have the most success.&nbsp; Last year Oconomowoc was in the Silver Bracket and ended up winning a state title.&nbsp; The teams with the most experience coming back will be Oconomowoc, DSHA, Appleton North, Sussex Hamilton, Kettle Moraine, and Burlington.&nbsp; My final four would be DSHA, Oconomowoc, Sussex Hamilton, and Burlington.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who wins it?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DSHA.&nbsp; There is a ton of depth, they have an outlet in [player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] who is going to have a big season, and there is plenty of balance with a great blend of attackers and ball control.&nbsp; I know Oconomowoc has a lot of firepower, but there are still some pieces they are going to be working into place who will have to replace some senior leadership that was lost due to graduation.&nbsp; Either way, it's a dynamite start to the 2022 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->