What We Learned At The Charger Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Charger Challenge is the midseason check in for plenty of teams.&nbsp; The top powers of D1 along with other divisions clash in what provides a chance to make a statement.&nbsp; Here is what we learned from the Charger Challenge which could be a glimpse into the rest of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1044191,"width":"498px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/RG1A6902.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1044191" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:498px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='545501' first='Marley' last='Connor'] of DSHA</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>We Have A Two Horse Race - A “Dash”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tale as old as time - DSHA vs. Oconomowoc.&nbsp; The championship of the Charger Challenge featured these top two programs.&nbsp; We are a month into the season and these two are already squaring off for the third time.&nbsp; This weekend it went to the Dashers in three sets to claim the title.&nbsp; However this was no breeze into the finals for these teams.&nbsp; DSHA dropped a set in the semifinals to Wisconsin Lutheran, but roared back with a 15-0 set three.&nbsp; Oconomowoc dropped a set to Burlington who is always a threat in pool play.&nbsp; Oconomowoc also defeated conference and section rival Arrowhead in the gold quarterfinals.&nbsp; Right now DSHA and Ocon are on top of D1 with a whole bundle of teams jockeying for the third spot.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1044186,"width":"448px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/RG1A6985.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1044186" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:448px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='809327' first='Aubrey' last='Lindgren'] of Neenah</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neenah Makes Their Mark </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neenah has been a team to keep an eye on this season where they have plenty of balance.&nbsp; On the outside they are led by [player_tooltip player_id='510416' first='Lillian' last='Romjue'] and [player_tooltip player_id='781349' first='Brielle' last='Brown'] who combine for nearly six kills per set, Southwest Minnesota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='827590' first='Paige' last='Hoelzel'] is a force out of the middle with her block and scoring ability, and in the backrow is [player_tooltip player_id='809327' first='Aubrey' last='Lindgren'] who provides a consistent first contact. They started the tournament blazing through pool play, defeated Sussex Hamilton in two sets in the crossover, started Gold pool play with a win over Mukwonago before falling to Oconomowoc.&nbsp; Right now they are the front runner in their section, however this section is deep and they will have huge matchups the week of October 6 with Fond du Lac and Kimberly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1044192,"width":"512px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/RG1A7162.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1044192" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:512px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='545511' first='Angelina' last='Dorow'] of Mukwonago</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mukwonago Continues To Turn Heads</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've written about Mukwonago before and how heading into the season they weren't expected to make the impact that they have.&nbsp; With wins over Arrowhead, Kettle Moraine, and now Kimberly they definitely deserve some respect on their name.&nbsp; They play a clean and smart style where they have a consistent first contact from libero [player_tooltip player_id='435887' first='Emily' last='Lange'] and an outside in [player_tooltip player_id='545511' first='Angelina' last='Dorow'] who knows how to find the floor with her swing.&nbsp; This will be a fun team to see build momentum throughout October heading into the postseason.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Danger of the “Three” Seed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luxemburg-Casco, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago,and New Trier were the three seeds who all advanced to a crossover out of their pool.&nbsp; McFarland defeated Fond du Lac, the top seed in their pool, but lost out on a 2-1 tiebreak.&nbsp; Kimberly was also one who was on the short end of a tiebreak going 2-1 along with Franklin and Mukwonago in their pool.&nbsp; The Papermakers would go on to blaze through their Bronze Bracket.&nbsp; Luxemburg-Casco was able to defeat Kettle Moraine and West Bend West while New Trier from the Chicago suburb of Winnetka found success with some of the top teams in Wisconsin.&nbsp; They brought a well balanced attack and clean ball control.&nbsp; Menomonee Falls defeated Cedarburg and Appleton North while dropping a close match to Arrowhead.&nbsp; They always have consistent ball control, attackers who know how to hit with IQ, and are so organized on defense.&nbsp; It also helps when you have a dynamic setter in [player_tooltip player_id='587079' first='Quinn' last='Ische'] who can run the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A Preview of D1 - Section 3 - Yikes!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will do a midseason check in with all of the sections this week, but in D1 there has been some movement as far as where teams are traveling for their postseason play.&nbsp; Kimberly has always gone North where they take on the Green Bay area schools.&nbsp; However this year they are heading South where it will be teams from the Fox Valley and North Shore.&nbsp; From Section 3 at the Charger Challenge was Cedarburg, Fond du Lac, Kimberly, Manitowoc Lincoln, Neenah, and West Bend West. &nbsp; Advancing to the sectional semifinals of this group will be tough let alone advancing to the state tournament.&nbsp; Kimberly defeated Fondy in conference play last week while Neenah will play Fondy and Kimberly the second week of October.&nbsp; Cedarburg stubbed their toe to Menomonee Falls on Friday along with Arrowhead and saw Kimberly in the Bronze finals which went in favor of Kimberly.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->