Sectional Showdown: Waukesha West vs Brookfield East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Sectional match-up for Thursday night is going to have some truly incredible volleyball. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the state and are meeting in the first round of sectionals, and only one team will move on. Let's take a deep dive into this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup could truly be epic. Everything about these teams screams high-level volleyball. And their seasons have run nearly perfectly parallel with each other, though they have never crossed paths before this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the most recent WVCA coaches poll, Brookfield East was ranked 9th in the state, and Waukesha West ranked 10th.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Against common opponents, Brookfield East is 13-7, and Waukesha West is 13-6. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Both teams have highly talented seniors leading their teams.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Waukesha West</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukesha West has had a really solid season. They started by taking 3rd at the Joust and have battled throughout the season. They are 30-11 this season and finished 2nd in the Classic 8 conference behind Oconomowoc. This team took down Arrowhead, Pewaukee, Oak Creek, and Kimberly, all teams that have seen time ranked or on Honorable Mention on the WVCA Coaches poll this season. Senior pins [player_tooltip player_id='209368' first='Mia' last='Jannazzo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='277428' first='Ireland' last='Zyzo'] lead the offense on this team. Mia has broken numerous records at Waukesha West and is a dominant presence on the court. Ireland has a toolbox of powerhouse shots and is crafty around the block. Sophomore middle hitter Arianna Rodriguez puts in work on defense, leading the team with 52 blocks this season and averaging 0.6 blocks per set. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='284075' first='Ruby' last='Friess'] is a consistent presence for her team. She places the ball cleanly for every hitter on her team. She is also a competitive server and defender. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='236329' first='Gracie' last='Fregien'] has next-level court awareness and great fundamentals. She is a stellar serve receiver and plays scrappy on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brookfield East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brookfield East took 4th in the Greater Metro Conference behind DSHA, Hamilton, and Menomonee Falls, all teams ranked in the top 10 in the state. They went 37-9 this season and have big wins over Menomonee Falls (tournament play), Oak Creek, and Slinger. They also battled and took DSHA to four sets during conference play. Brookfield East won the Brookfield Central Invite, their home invite, the Whitefish Bay Invite, and the Middleton Invite. On offense, this team is led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='809936' first='Maggie' last='Czajka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807928' first='Emily' last='Dooyema'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='807844' first='Amelia' last='Olson']. Maggie averages 3.1 kills per set, has a hitting percentage of 0.379, 59 blocks, 41 aces, and 347 kills. Middle Hitter [player_tooltip player_id='828132' first='Addison' last='Dooyema'] is hitting a 0.316 efficiency and has 59 blocks this season. Junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='435878' first='Amorina' last='Compean-Costello'] is a star in the back row. She is quick and smart with incredible ball control. Nothing hits the ground without her full effort. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='476166' first='Hailey' last='Schneiker'] never misses a beat on the court. She has 743 assists this season as well as 100 kills, 79 aces, 19 blocks, and 280 digs. This is a team with a lot of athletes contributing across the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaways</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My biggest takeaway: I am bummed this matchup is happening as a Sectional semifinal match! No one can deny the amazing talent that will be taking the court for each of these teams tomorrow night - and I didn't even list every player that contributes on each roster. I am excited for both of these teams and the success they have had this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->