Top Teams Dominate the Joust

<p>The Joust is one of the top early-season tournaments in the state. The championship match was a head-to-head battle between the two competitors in last year's Division 1 state championship match. DSHA edged out Oconomowoc 21-19 in the third set in what was an absolute thriller of a match. Appleton North, who lost in the D1 Semi-Finals last year, and Appleton Xavier, who won the Division 1 State Championship, tied for 3rd place. Here is a breakdown of the top teams and their performances at the Joust. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Divine Savior Holy Angels</h2>   <p>DSHA was dominant at the tournament. The only sets they dropped were in the gold semi and finals matches, and they did not drop a match. Some of the top athletes from last season's State Championship team returned. [player_tooltip player_id='122569' first='Sophia' last='Wendlick'] has been nothing less than dominant in the last year and clocked 67 kills and hit a 0.344. She also contributed 5 blocks, 26 digs, 11 aces, and 62 service receptions. [player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] is another key offensive weapon for this high-level team. This Wisconsin commit was also dominant at state last year and has started this season strong with 57 kills at the Joust as well as 9 aces, 10 blocks, 61 service receptions, and 44 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='246946' first='Jordan' last='Czajkowski'] picked up right where she left off last season and was key to running the offense for DSHA. Her ability to put tempo and precision on the ball kept her offense running smoothly and efficiently. She had 89 assists throughout the 2-day tournament. Another returning stud for DSHA was [player_tooltip player_id='178026' first='Olivia' last='Durst'], who recently committed to Michigan State. She played as a 6-rotation outside last season but has transitioned to libero in the last year. She is talented across the back row and a huge leader on this squad. </p>   <p>Some newcomers also had a huge impact. [player_tooltip player_id='144911' first='Ava' last='Kharitou'], who was on the team last season but saw limited playing time, has played every set this season and has been a huge contributor as a setter. She had 70 assists, 28 digs, and 9 aces at the Joust. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='453657' first='Maddie' last='Brown'] is playing in the middle and is very efficient, hitting 0.450 at the Joust and contributing 18 blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='275793' first='Elise' last='VanHimbergen'] is a 6'0" junior right side who had 17 kills and hit a 0.225. [player_tooltip player_id='122505' first='Caroline' last='Harris'] is another athlete who was a varsity athlete last year and has stepped up into a key role as a middle this season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oconomowoc</h2>   <p>Oconomowoc is looking better than ever and will be on the hunt for a state championship this year. They had a dominant start to the season and will be hungry for more. This team is a perfect blend of experienced and young athletes. Their senior class includes setter [player_tooltip player_id='122568' first='Lilly' last='Wagner'] (Maryland), middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='122475' first='Anna' last='Bjork'] (Notre Dame), outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='122516' first='Olivia' last='Kwiatkowski'] (Troy), and libero [player_tooltip player_id='122580' first='Navaeh' last='Keller'] (Bemidji). All were key pieces of the State Runner-Up team last year, and several were critical to their State Championship title in 2021. </p>   <p>Some younger athletes in this program making waves include [player_tooltip player_id='249678' first='Marlee' last='Sivak'], who won a national championship with Sting 15 Gold this summer. She had 14 kills in the championship game alone and was a huge contributor on serve receive and defense. [player_tooltip player_id='388590' first='Grae' last='Hunter'] played middle for the Raccoons last season and has started this season strong, hitting 0.200 after the first week of play. [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Lizzy' last='Kwiatkowski'] is a rising setter in this program and will be a player to watch in the next few years. Similarly, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='497647' first='Charlotte' last='Hayes'] is already having an impact as a right-side hitter. These young athletes are already having an impact and showing that the future of Oconomowoc volleyball is bright!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Appleton North</h2>   <p>Appleton North is a dominant force and has been for the past several years. Their only loss was to Oconomowoc in the gold semi-finals at the Joust. They are returning some of their top athletes, including Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='122483' first='Ella' last='Demetrician'], who is ranked #1 in the state of Wisconsin. Her speed and power on the pin is incredible to watch. She is averaging 5.8 kills per set and has already clocked well over 100 kills this season, with 79 at the Joust alone. [player_tooltip player_id='122566' first='Emerson' last='Van Lannen'] has been leading the offense on this team since her freshman year and is a high-level setter committed to Kansas State. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='194790' first='Maggie' last='Hahnke'] has stepped up in a big way in the back row and from the service line. She is consistent and clean in both defense and serve receive. </p>   <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='178223' first='Teegan' last='Charapata'] has taken on a huge role as a pin hitter in this program. She can play nearly any position on the court and actually played out of the middle last year. Teegan can pick apart opposing defenses with her shots and has really been dominant so far this season. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='478785' first='Lydia' last='Koshuta'] is also having an impact as a defensive specialist playing opposite Emerson out of right back. She is scrappy and fearless as a defender and is impressive with her speed and court awareness. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Appleton Xavier</h2>   <p>Xavier won the Division 2 State Championship last season in dominant fashion and has not missed a beat entering this season. Their only loss at the Joust was to DSHA in three sets in the semifinals. They are returning most of their key players from last season and will be in the hunt for another state championship in 2023. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='144816' first='Mariah' last='Potter'] is gritty and athletic. She had a huge club season and has only continued to elevate her game. She feeds her hitters' dime sets and is smart and savvy in leading the offense. </p>   <p>Pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='178224' first='Annika' last='Kowalski'], [player_tooltip player_id='151738' first='Mattea' last='Kiepert'], and [player_tooltip player_id='122567' first='Halle' last='Vande Hey'] also return and provide consistency and power. Bella Shea is looking better than ever running the back row. She played up at the 18 Open level with [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Elite this past club season which has taken her game to the next level. [player_tooltip player_id='122526' first='Olivia' last='Neumann'] continues to be dominant out of the middle and is a huge presence at the net. </p>

The Joust is one of the top early-season tournaments in the state. The championship match was a head-to-head battle between the two competitors in last year's Division 1 state championship match. DSHA edged out Oconomowoc 21-19 in the third set in what was an absolute thriller of a match. Appleton North, who lost in the D1 Semi-Finals last year, and Appleton Xavier, who won the Division 1 State Championship, tied for 3rd place. Here is a breakdown of the top teams and their performances at the Joust.