Leaders Emerge at WIAA State
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The WIAA State Championships were a weekend to remember. Every match was impressive, and there were some jaw-dropping plays. What I loved to see were the leaders that emerged throughout the tournament. Some on this list will be familiar to you but went above and beyond on the court. Others might be under-the-radar athletes who brought their team together in a huge way.
Lilly is an incredibly talented athlete. She is committed to Maryland in the Big 10 conference, she led her team to a state championship in 2021 and to a state runner-up title in 2022. But she really impressed me in the state championship match. When her team was down in the first two sets of the state championship match, Lilly’s energy and enthusiasm was a key factor in Oconomowoc battling in the next three sets. Her smile never dropped, her excitement and love for her team showed in every single point. It impressed me beyond measure and showed what a true leader Lilly is.
Sophia was a huge leader throughout the state tournament for DSHA. She was relentless and manufactured points consistently for the Dashers. Sophia had momentum-changing plays and played fearless, aggressive volleyball. She is an athlete that leads by example. She hit 0.417 in the championship match, by far the highest hitting percentage of either team. Sophia is a very high-level athlete and a huge leader on the court.
Jorey was a huge leader on the court. She ran the court with confidence and finesse. Not only did she have great ball control, she set her team up for success with every touch. Jorey is an athlete who is new to me and one to keep an eye on. She has energy, consistency, and drive.
Eavan runs a 5-1 on this talented Wauwatosa East team. They had a tough first round match up against Oconomowoc, but Eavan worked hard to keep her team focused and motivated. She knew how to make her teammates smile. She was consistent and level-headed throughout the match and was fearless in her play.
Amelia Herrick
Amelia Herrick
Amelia was another great athlete who had energy and focus on the court. She played well in tough situations and was fearless on the biggest stage of the season. She caught my eye very early on in the Division 2 semifinal match and continued to do so on every point. She fought hard for every point and was a positive influence on her team.
Kenna was dominant in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. She manufactured points in both the front and back row and was aggressive on defense. Kenna is the type of athlete that leads by example. She stated positive and motivated on every point. Kenna brought her team together through the highs and lows and was a key factor in every set.
Mariah was consistent and level-headed throughout the state tournament. She was a force to be reckoned with. Mariah amped up her team, gave them consistent and fast-tempo sets, and did not let up for a single point. She impressed me throughout the tournament but was relentless in the state championship match against a very talented Sauk Prairie team.
