Top Teams, Players Take on Crusader Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opening weekend of Wisconsin high school volleyball and another big tournament to zoom in on will be the Crusader Cup at the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] Center. 24 teams will take on the weekend where they will get a chance to make an early season statement.&nbsp; Here is a quick breakdown of some top teams as well as some athletes who could make a big impact.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Top Seeds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Arrowhead</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Grafton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kettle Moraine</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Westosha Central&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Burlington&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Howards Grove</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Appleton North&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plymouth&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arrowhead comes into the tournament as a top seed which comes as no surprise.&nbsp; They have have a lot of firepower as well as a balance of ball control which should give them a real shot at having a big season with big matches at the end of October and event the beginning of November. Their top returning attackers will be [player_tooltip player_id='486283' first='Natalie' last='Krogwold'], [player_tooltip player_id='810252' first='Addie' last='Merck'], and Zofia Zasprak.&nbsp; Teams will definitely know the first two touches with [player_tooltip player_id='435888' first='Georgia' last='House'] and libero and [player_tooltip player_id='509343' first='Taylor' last='Wold'] as a setter.&nbsp; These two have combined for plenty of combos resulting in a kill.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grafton could be the favorite in D2 for 2026.&nbsp; They were a little under the radar last season until they caught a hot streak, advancing to the state championship before falling to Sauk Prairie in the final.&nbsp; They return five attackers who had at least 100 kills, led by UW-Eau Claire commit [player_tooltip player_id='388454' first='Paige' last='Proefrock'].&nbsp; They have an exciting lefty with some length in [player_tooltip player_id='771608' first='Addison' last='Lempke'], she had a big freshman campaign with 168 kills and 43 total blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kettle Moraine saw quite a bit of success in the early 2020s with a string of state tournament appearances.&nbsp; They have reloaded with some fire power with junior [player_tooltip player_id='918462' first='Aleeya' last='Minor'] and sophomore Jenna Loduca.&nbsp; They had a few freshmen in the lineup last season and with a year under their belt they should be ready for a breakout season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burlington and Westosha Central could potentially faceoff against each other this weekend in what could be the first of multiple meetings.&nbsp; They are part of the Southern Lakes Conference and are also in the same sectional.&nbsp; Westosha will return one of the top setters in the Class of 2027 in [player_tooltip player_id='435900' first='Payton' last='Scifres'] who will play at Arkansas - Little Rock. Burlington will be a dangerous seem this season where they have Northern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='509328' first='Emma' last='Tenhagen'] and St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='509327' first='Madelyn' last='Reesman'].&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='795554' first='Kendall' last='Cruz'] - Howards Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruz will be one of the top liberos to watch in this event.&nbsp; She led the Tigers last year in digs and was part of the [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Elite team who won a USAV 16 American Division title in Indianapolis this summer.&nbsp; She has been trained at a high level and will be one to avoid serving at.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='522077' first='Briah' last='DeBoard'] - Appleton North&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another high level libero to watch will be [player_tooltip player_id='522077' first='Briah' last='DeBoard'].&nbsp; Only a sophomore, DeBoard had a big club season playing for the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 15 Gold team who was a 15 Open qualifier for USAV nationals.&nbsp; She has length and range, she could even be the type who could swing on the pin.&nbsp; She has a high IQ, for only being a sophomore she can bring a lot of calm and presence to the court for the Lightning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='736717' first='Leila' last='Merigold'] - Lake Country Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Country Lutheran always brings a team who is going to be well coached and prepared.&nbsp; They have built a tradition among the small schools where they are accustomed to playing in big post season matches.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='736717' first='Leila' last='Merigold'] will be the top defender for the Lighting where she is going to be on track to pass 1,000 digs in her career this eason. Her first touch will be important where her squad could be a dangerous matchup this weekend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915810' first='Brooke' last='Vanden Berg'] - Grafton&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='915810' first='Brooke' last='Vanden Berg'] made a big impact as a freshman, but typically there is always a lot of growth between a freshman and sophomore season.&nbsp; With a big club season for I AM VBC 15 Red this past club season, her game is ready to take the next step.&nbsp; She has a great all around foundation to pass, serve receive, and score points.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joesefine Hoopman - Plymouth&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plymouth could be a surprise team this year as they return plenty of returners who led the team in 2025.&nbsp; Their top point scorer returning is [player_tooltip player_id='523050' first='Josefine' last='Hoopman'] who had nearly 200 kills last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915803' first='Scarlett' last='Van Harpen'] - Port Washington </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Port Washington did graduate some key pieces from last season, but have others returning who are ready for a breakout.&nbsp; Scarlet Van Harpen will be a middle blocker entering her sophomore year where she had 157 kills, hit .356, and had 77 total blocks as a freshman.&nbsp; She will look to connect with senior setter in New Hampshire commit [player_tooltip player_id='434920' first='Sierra' last='Hoeft'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->