Coaching POV: Predicting WIAA D1/D2 Sectional Finals

This is one of the most exciting weekends in Wisconsin high school volleyball.  I think it's even more exciting than the  state tournament where the sectional final matchups seem too close to call in some areas.  This past fall I didn't write much for Prep Dig Wisconsin as a I was the head coach at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay.  I wrote for Iowa and did national articles to avoid muddying the waters with coaching and writing.  However, our season finished last weekend in the regional championship to Xavier out of Appleton.  Taking a look at the sectional finals, there are a lot of familiar teams and I figure I give my take on what these matchups look like and who punches their ticket to the Resch.    D1   Section 1 - Eau Claire Memorial vs. River Falls   Friends, we can no longer sleep on Western Wisconsin.  These athletes are playing club against some top teams out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro and they are starting to beef up their high school schedules as well.  River Falls set the standard in this section and others have done more to catch the ‘Cats.  Memorial and River Falls are in the same conference where Memorial defeated River Falls the beginning of September.  Northwest Missouri State commit [player_tooltip player_id='278406' first='Ella' last='Gunderson'] is an electric player and setter Annika Skolos has over 1,000 assists - pacing Memorial.  However, River Falls has battle tested and even scarier, they are playing their best volleyball of the season defeating rival Chippewa Falls and Hudson to reach the sectional final.     Who wins?   I go with the Cardiac Cats in five - River Falls is back to state after missing in 2022.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Ella-Demetrician.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-241552" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:542px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Chris Fitzgerlad Prep Dig</figcaption></figure>   Section 2 - Bay Port vs. Appleton North   I may know these teams “All Too Well” (casual slip of a Taylor Swift lyric).  I have coached under Steve Scheuerell as an assistant for North in 2016 and 2017, I was setter for North, [player_tooltip player_id='122566' first='Emerson' last='Van Lannen']'s sixth grade teacher, the list goes on.  Bay Port was in our conference and we played them at two other tournaments where we lost in five sets, three sets, and two sets.  This is a unique matchup.  North is extremely experienced and have the top player in the Class of 2024 in Wisconsin with Michigan commit, [player_tooltip player_id='122483' first='Ella' last='Demetrician'].  Van Lannen is a very dynamic setter who does it all for the Lightning.  Don't forget about outside hitter Finley Charapata and libero [player_tooltip player_id='194790' first='Maggie' last='Hahnke'] who are big time players as well.  North has been to the state tournament each year since 2019.  Bay Port might have been the most physical team we played all season.  Middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='202186' first='Chloe' last='Parker'] and Ellei McDermid are so tough to stop, we knew where the ball was going and we still couldn't stop this duo.  Parker is and uncommitted 2025 and McDermid is a Bradley basketball commit - if she wanted to pursue the volleyball route there would be plenty of D1 schools who would happily take her.     Who Wins?   Pirates battle, but experience and having the top player in the state prevails as North goes back to state for the fifth straight year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_3534-crop-2413x1584-1678933879.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-346013" style="aspect-ratio:1.5238095238095237;width:506px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261359' first='Morgan' last='Van Wie']</figcaption></figure>   Section 3 - Holmen vs. Waunakee   This is a sneaky matchup.  Holmen played at our Beast of the Northeast Tournament where they fell to Bay Port in the finals.  They have a well balanced attack with plenty of athletes and offensive weapons.  Middle blocker Izzy Jahr has some major hangtime and Waunakee has to get them out of system so Holmen has to swing from the pins.  Holmen also has one of the top under the radar liberos in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='388556' first='Macy' last='Kline'] who is averaging five digs per set.  Waunakee has had a really strong season and has one of the most dynamic athletes in D1 on their team in [player_tooltip player_id='261359' first='Morgan' last='Van Wie'] who committed to Wisconsin this fall.  The lefty dual threat is a lot for teams to handle where she has 491 assists and nearly three kills per set.  She is also hitting a blistering .342 which is a big number for a right side.     Who Wins?   Waunakee has played a tough schedule, both teams have balance, but I think Van Wie and the Warriors take this one advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 2017.    Section 4 - Oconomowoc vs. Arrowhead   There are no secrets with Oconomowoc.  This core of seniors with [player_tooltip player_id='122475' first='Anna' last='Bjork'], [player_tooltip player_id='345260' first='Bays' last='Keller'], [player_tooltip player_id='122516' first='Olivia' last='Kwiatkowski'], and [player_tooltip player_id='122568' first='Lilly' last='Wagner'] will forever be in the record books.  The only losses they have on the season have come to DSHA and defeated Arrowhead 3-0 in their conference match.  In order for Arrowhead to have a chance they have to get going early, a fast start forcing an early timeout for Ocon.  Arrowhead is experienced, but so is Ocon with a lot of depth. You could play the card Ocon is looking past Arrowhead and focusing on state, but I think they have enough experience to know what it takes to get it done in a sectional final.    Who Wins?   Ocon is back back back again (for the third straight time)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/DSC07279-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-228025" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:616px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181809' first='Madison' last='York']</figcaption></figure>   Section 5 - Manitowoc Lincoln vs. Sussex Hamilton   If I had to choose what sectional final to watch, this might be the one.  These teams aren't extremely familiar with each other.  They play is some of the same tournaments, but their athletes don't play for the same club teams for the most part and they aren't in the same conference.  However, Manitowoc Lincoln is our conference and we did take a set from them and played them again at the Neenah Tournament where they defeated us 2-0.  The senior class for the Ships is something special.  [player_tooltip player_id='181810' first='Grace' last='Fruzen'] (Upper Iowa), [player_tooltip player_id='151740' first='Laurin' last='Hamann'] (St. Cloud State), [player_tooltip player_id='181809' first='Madison' last='York'] (Northern Michigan), and Nena Swoboda have been their big four.  Fruzen was the FRCC Co-Player of Year as a setter, Hamann has incredible range as a libero, while York is terminal with a big left handed swing, and Swoboda is a dynamic outside.  What I was continuously impressed with Manitowoc is how organized they are on defense.  There's no confusion among players, they anticipate extremely well, and they are highly efficient.  Hamilton is a really fun team with the type of athletes they have up and down their roster.  Setter [player_tooltip player_id='249644' first='Brooke' last='Baldwin'] is one of the top setters from the Class of 2026.  Pin attacker [player_tooltip player_id='178038' first='Eva' last='Finnessy'] improves every time she takes the court - she is a must get recruit from the Class fo 2025.    Who Wins?   This could be a marathon match, but the Ships sail to Green Bay with their senior dominated lineup.    Section 6 - Oak Creek vs. Franklin   This is another one where you can flip a coin and that would be just as effective as predicting. Oak Creek took the conference match 3-0 and Franklin won a non-conference matchup in a tournament, 2-0. Theres plenty of star power here with Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id='122523' first='Claire' last='Luoma'] as libero for Franklin where she passes to star setter [player_tooltip player_id='178043' first='Madison' last='Marx'] where her top target is Avri-Solik Fifarek who is averaging over four kills per set. Oak Creek has their fill of balance as well as a really exciting six rotation outside in [player_tooltip player_id='122464' first='Kaitlyn' last='Dohs']. She has committed to Eckerd College, a D2 in Florida. [player_tooltip player_id='165771' first='Amanda' last='Baumann'], UW-River Falls commit has been dominant hitting just over .400 on the season.   Who Wins?   I saw Franklin play live at the Charger Challenge, I have seen all the Oak Creek players in club - this is a tough one.  I'm going with Oak Creek with their balanced offensive attack.    Section 7   Mukwonago vs. Burlington   We had the privilege to play Mukwonago to start the Charger Challenge and it was a great introduction for my team on what high level D1 volleyball looks like.  The pace of play, the tempo to the pins, and the high level serving - Mukwonago has all of that going for them.  They also have one of the top players in 2025 in [player_tooltip player_id='178034' first='Gabriella' last='Pitcel'] who will be heading to Illinois.  She is so fun to watch.  I had seen her play plenty of matches out of the middle, but they were shooting a quick set to the outside where she was so terminal.  They are also tough to find a spot to serve because they have essentially two liberos on their team in UW-Green Bay commit [player_tooltip player_id='178257' first='Alexis' last='Gardner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178031' first='Natalie' last='Powers'].  However, Burlington is…Burlington.  They don't make errors, play clean, always organized, and find a way to swing in system.  Vanderbilt commit [player_tooltip player_id='178024' first='Kati' last='Berezowitz'] has some crazy range and if they can get Eastern Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='122578' first='Caitlyn' last='Flees'] they can cause a lot of chaos for Mukwonago.    Who Wins?   I really like Mukwonago, however it's Burlington.  They will defend and ball control their way back to state.    *If Wisconsin goes to five classes which it very well could next year, will this be the last year of Burlington playing D1 - enrollment wise they would probably move down to D2.    Section 8   DSHA vs. Menomonee Falls   This Menomonee Falls team is so good, their defense is one of the best in the state led by the Bruns sisters in [player_tooltip player_id='178270' first='Ellie' last='Bruns'], Cassie Bruns, and Addie Bruns.  I saw them play at the Charger Challenge and they were all so scrappy.  At 32-13, they've had an amazing season playing a rugged schedule.  However, DSHA is one of the top teams in the country with their only loss of the season coming to Mother McAuley out of Chicago.    Who Wins?   Falls is tough, but DSHA is just at another level.  Dashers on to state.    D2   Section 1   Rice Lake vs. Waupaca   This section was wide open to begin with and now we have two teams who haven't crossed paths at all.  Rice Lake is 29-8 and plays in the Big Rivers Conference where their losses came to Eau Claire North, Eau Claire Memorial, Chippewa Falls, River Falls, and Hudson in conference play.  They are led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='257903' first='Eliana' last='Sheplee'] at 4.3 kills per set and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='284078' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] at 3.3 kills per set.  Waupaca is a bit of a Cinderella story, but when a team has the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='277430' first='Peyton' last='Carlson'] who is the top sophomore in the state notching nearly six kills per set and hitting over .300. Waupaca is never out of system with Carlson in the lineup.    Who Wins?   Cinderella dances, Waupaca rides the arm of Carlson and advances to state.    Section 2   Sauk Prairie vs. McFarland   The Madison area section, this is always a gauntlet.  Sauk Prairie is the defending champ in this sectional and will take on McFarland where McFarland has won their two matches they've had together this season.  We played Sauk Prairie at the Lake Country Lutheran Tournament where they defeated us 15-10 in the third set.  We got the first one :) Winona State commit [player_tooltip player_id='122470' first='Ellery' last='Apel'] is essentially a vortex at the libero position where she just finds the ball.  So solid.  I knew [player_tooltip player_id='178308' first='Greta' last='Shadewald'] would give us problems (which she did).  So physical and offensive with a deadly left hand.  What we were not ready for was sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='388467' first='Mallory' last='Hartwig'].  She hits with so much pace and when she was able to get some open looks, she was so terminal.  McFarland is a program who knows how to win.  [player_tooltip player_id='122481' first='Ava' last='Dean'] is so gritty, a do it all setter who wills her team to win.  Dean played on the 2021 state team as a right side and also played on the McFarland state basketball team who was at the Resch for the D2 semifinals teammate Teagan Mallegni put on quite a show.  She is an Iowa basketball commit.    Who Wins?   I wish both of these teams could be at state.  Great programs.  I'm going with McFarland in five.    Section 3   Xavier vs. Kettle Moraine Lutheran   Xavier knocked us out last Saturday.  We knew what was coming from Xavier, but the thing about Xavier that you can't take away from them is their serve.  We played top teams across D1 and D2, but the serve from Xavier was another level.  Laser float serves that was handcuffing our passers.  This team is so balanced, organized, and disciplined.  They haven't lost to a D2 team in over a year, which ironically was to Notre Dame at the Neenah Tournament in September of 2022.  Kettle Moraine Lutheran played one of the toughest schedules in D2.  They will need to stay in system to get their middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='487801' first='Amanda' last='Hillman'] who is extremely dynamic off one foot and a solid blocker.     Who Wins?   Xavier is heading back to defend their title.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/05/DaniKopacz.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-197094" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:578px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kopacz</figcaption></figure>   Section 4   Pewaukee vs. St. Thomas More   We played Pewaukee on match five of the Luxemburg-Casco Tournament. I think by that point in the afternoon both teams were a little checked out - I say that with a smile. Pewaukee handled us 2-0. The Pirates have a ton of firepower coming from their pins in Austin Peay commit [player_tooltip player_id='122510' first='Danielle' last='Kopacz'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='249665' first='Kennedy' last='Tisdale']. Kopacz is getting over four kills per set and both of these athletes are hitting over .300. The swing from Kopacz is so tough to defend where it's an extremely heavy ball. St. Thomas More will come at Pewaukee with a healthy dose of [player_tooltip player_id='178039' first='Hailey' last='Goebel'] who is averaging just over 4.6 kills per set.   Who Wins?   Pewaukee is back to state after they made it in 2021.

This is one of the most exciting weekends in Wisconsin high school volleyball. I think it's even more exciting than the state tournament where the sectional final matchups seem too close to call in some areas. This past fall I didn't write much for Prep Dig Wisconsin as a I was the head coach at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay. I wrote for Iowa and did national articles to avoid muddying the waters with coaching and writing. However, our season finished last weekend in the regional championship to Xavier out of Appleton. Taking a look at the sectional finals, there are a lot of familiar teams and I figure I give my take on what these matchups look like and who punches their ticket to the Resch.