Hot Tea, Predictions, Storylines From the Charger Rally

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone loves a hot take, a good story, and there are plenty this weekend at the Charger Challenge hosted by Sussex Hamilton at the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] Center.&nbsp; This is the top tournament in the state featuring double digit ranked teams, three defending state champions, and a lot of teams who are ready to make a statement as we are somehow closing out the first month of the season.&nbsp; Here are a few storylines to follow over the next two days.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Ranked Teams </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. DSHA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Oconomowoc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Appleton North&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Arrowhead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Kimberly&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Manitowoc Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Kettle Moraine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Luxemburg-Casco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Sauk Prairie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Pewaukee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Kettle Moraine Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left"><strong>D3</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Howards Grove</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Rise of Oconomowoc…Again</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":158876,"width":484,"height":323,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/09/ocon.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-158876" width="484" height="323"/><figcaption>Photo: Chris Fitzgerald Prep Dig</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point in the season last year, I specifically watching Oconomowoc and thinking, “They are looking scary good”.&nbsp; They were clicking on all cylinders, they were looking long, athletic, and hungry.&nbsp; This will be an important tournament for them in regards to making that statement.&nbsp; They are the two seed behind DSHA who defeated them at the Joust to open the season.&nbsp; However, none of these teams need to be playing at their peak right now, but it does help when it comes to seeding come postseason and the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DSHA Staying Strong and Healthy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dashers did suffer two losses at the Joust to Lake Country Lutheran and Appleton North, but since then have blazed through their schedule.  The key to their success will be staying strong and healthy through a grueling schedule that will also include trips to the Sprawl and Asics Challenge which Sussex Hamilton will be down in Chicago as well competing against some of the top teams in the country.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] </strong>leads the team in kills and is the top Class of 2025 prospect in the state, but this team is deep.  They have two solid setters in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='178025' first='Jordan' last='Czajkowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='144661' first='Ellie' last='Connor']</strong>, and strong defenders in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91882' first='Olivia' last='deGuzman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178026' first='Olivia' last='Durst']</strong>.  Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91901' first='Bella' last='Lipski']</strong> controls the middle and is always one who can find a way to get the block and score points.  This team makes it hard to find a weakness anywhere. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howards Grove Is Still There</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howards Grove will be one of the smaller schools competing in this event against schools that are honestly five times the size of their high school.  The Tigers have no fear when it comes to playing against the big dogs where they were in the final four of the Joust and had a narrow loss to Oconomowoc at the Mukwonago Tournament recently.  Wisconsin commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='82282' first='Saige' last='Damrow'] </strong>paces the team and knows how to get it done, but there are other Juniors on this squad in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122497' first='Olivia' last='Baierl'], Mallory Godziewski, and [player_tooltip player_id='122508' first='Elle' last='Kennedy'] </strong>who have made a huge impact for this squad.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The River Falls Factor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":159132,"width":467,"height":312,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/09/DSC09383.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-159132" width="467" height="312"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='92019' first='Morgan' last='Kealy']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Falls will be making the trip across the state where they have built a schedule against top teams from Wisconsin and Minnesota.  The Wildcats have made it a habit to get to gold play of the Charger Challenge and will look to a strong senior class led by the likes of setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='92019' first='Morgan' last='Kealy'] (St Thomas), [player_tooltip player_id='92023' first='Abi' last='Banitt'] (SIUE), and [player_tooltip player_id='92020' first='Brianna' last='Brathol']</strong>.  Another senior middle blocker to watch will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='92022' first='Taylor' last='Petersen']</strong> who is extremely explosive and connects well with Kealy.  They are always well disciplined, play really good defense, and have a high volleyball IQ that puts a ton of pressure on the other side of the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SE Wisconsin vs. Madison Area vs. Fox Valley   </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sauk Prairie, Sun Prairie East, and Waunakee will be coming from the Madison area, there is a whole crew of Fox Valley teams led by Kimberly and Appleton North (we can include Luxemburg-Casco and Manitowoc Lincoln in there), and a lot of Southeast Wisconsin.&nbsp; What surprises me about the Wisconsin volleyball landscape is how I don't see a lot of matchups between Madison area teams and SE Wisconsin teams.&nbsp; I know SE Wisconsin has a power program about every five miles down the road and they are always looking to play the best competition, but it's just an observation.&nbsp; Fox Valley teams have made it a habit to head South and play the best competition possible.&nbsp; This is a great opportunity for teams to make that statement.&nbsp; On that Sunday night seeding meeting before the state tournament, wins against other state tournament teams make a huge difference on that resume when it comes to getting a leg up on the competition (and the seed).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What #3 Seeds Pose a Danger? </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three seeds in their pool are intriguing.  There are some that could potentially turn some heads and be a dangerous matchup for a two or a one seed. Luxemburg-Casco is coming in as the defending D2 state champion (x3) and have played against top competition, most recently at the Lancer Invite at Brookfield Central.  They also had a big win over conference rival Fox Valley Lutheran Tuesday night who was ranked #2 in D2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1570017169114599425?s=20u0026t=ffjXYmtn9_KFoi0brGvO8A","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1570017169114599425?s=20&amp;t=ffjXYmtn9_KFoi0brGvO8A </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sauk Prairie is 20-0 coming into this event, but they haven't seen the competition yet, however this is a really physical and athletic team who is hungry for a chance to compete against the best. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91940' first='Annika' last='Braund'] and [player_tooltip player_id='158572' first='Maggie' last='Hartwig'] </strong>are leading the team in kills and Hartwig is hitting over .400.  Setter, J<strong>enna Pistono</strong> is experienced and knows how to play against high level competition and libero, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122470' first='Ellery' last='Apel'] </strong>will be one of the more athletic liberos in the gym. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slinger is a team who is going to continue to get better.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122499' first='Melia' last='Johnson']</strong> is one of the top available Class of 2024 outside hitters and is averaging nearly four kills per set.  However, keep an eye on two freshmen for this squad in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277420' first='Allie' last='Beers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='277423' first='Ella' last='Kohnen'].</strong>  Beers is one of the top 2026 prospects in the state as well as Kohnen.  The two are a solid setter middle connection with Beers hitting over .300. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pool Winners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool A - DSHA, Luxemburg-Casco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool B - Oconomowoc, Waunakee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool C - Hamilton, Pewaukee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool D - Appleton North, Catholic Memorial&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool E - Howards Grove, Brookfield Central&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool F - River Falls, Manitowoc Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool G - Menomonee Falls, Sauk Prairie (Something weird happens - thinking three way tiebreakder)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool H - Kimberly, Slinger</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Four </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DSHA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oconomowoc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howards Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finals</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DSHA over Howards Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->