Classic 8 Conference Preview

This is another loaded conference in southeastern Wisconsin. In 2019, the Classic 8 conference had four teams make it to Division 1 State and the championship match had Oconomowoc and Arrowhead, both Classic 8 teams. It is a similar story in 2018. Additionally, Catholic Memorial is a Division 2 powerhouse that has won quite a few State Championships. These schools always have challenging and highly competitive seasons. <h3>Arrowhead</h3> Arrowhead is the most recent of the Classic 8 teams to win a state championship. They did win their conference last year as well. This is a well-developed program with a lot of up-and-coming talent. DS/L [player_tooltip player_id="57285" first="Sophie" last="Illman"] (Committed to UW-Oshkosh) will be a key player for this team. She is an energetic athlete who makes big digs and is a great leader. Right-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id="82913" first="Naomi" last="Sheperd"] (2023) was very impactful as a hitter and brings consistency and power to the court. [player_tooltip player_id="22404" first="Madison" last="Tolzman"] (Committed to Eastern Kentucky) will be a power pin on this team and another huge leader on the court. She has a fast snap and a huge jump. Keep an eye out for outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="122573" first="Gabby" last="Wold"] (2024) who could have a breakout season this year! <h3>Oconomowoc</h3> Oconomowoc has had several deep runs in the state tournament the past few years including two runner-up finishes. This is a talented team that has a lot to offer. [player_tooltip player_id="122568" first="Lilly" last="Wagner"] is one of the top athletes in the class of 2024 and will be an incoming sophomore this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="81252" first="Maleah" last="Howe"] (Committed to Troy University) is currently injured, but will still be a major leader for this team. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id="81265" first="Alana" last="Dvorak"] (2022) is a really fun, dynamic, and impactful middle to watch. [player_tooltip player_id="91876" first="Cordelia" last="Kearns"] (2023) and [player_tooltip player_id="57245" first="Haley" last="Koch"] (2022) are very strong pin hitters who are solid defensively, in serve receive, and on offense. <h3>Kettle Moraine </h3> Kettle Moraine could have a break-out season this year. They are consistently a very top-level team and have made several state appearances in the recent past. They have a hugely talented incoming junior class whose experience on the court will take them very far this season. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id="82954" first="Myla" last="Glaser"] is lethal with any fast-tempo ball. Libero and defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id="82910" first="Kyleigh" last="Coghlan"] has huge potential to make a great impact on the court this season. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="91904" first="Aubrey" last="Berlowski"] could have a breakout season this year. She is packed full of power and has really improved defensively in the past year. Also on the pin is [player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Grace" last="Grocholski"], an impactful and very consistent player. She can play all six rotations and be a threat to opponents in both the front and back row. Class of 2022 athletes [player_tooltip player_id="57272" first="Rebecca" last="Siedenburg"] (setter) and [player_tooltip player_id="81303" first="Sophie" last="McCormack"] (pin) will lead this team by example and bring big energy to the court. <h3>Mukwonago </h3> Mukwonago has a lot of talent across the board and will be set to put up some huge battles this year. The two lead scorers for Mukwonago will be returning as seniors: middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="81312" first="Abby" last="Savatski"] (committed to Winona State) and right-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id="57267" first="Aoife" last="Treacy"]. [player_tooltip player_id="149591" first="Kinsey" last="Lutz"] (class of 2023) is a dynamic athlete with the potential to have a wide range of impacts. Fellow class of 2023 athlete [player_tooltip player_id="81340" first="Lindsey" last="Taylor"] (Libero/DS) is scrappy in the back row adds energy to the court. This Mukwonago team has a huge amount of potential to have a winning season this year. <h3>Waukesha West</h3> Waukesha West lost several very impactful seniors in the class of 2021. While this may be a rebuilding year for them, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of talent! In fact, this team has huge potential to challenge some big teams this year! Middle hitter Devon Hanson (2022) is the top returning scorer for the Wolverines. She is lethal in the front row and dynamic in her shots. Setter Sophia Busse will be returning this year and will be key to a smooth offense. Class of 2024 athletes, [player_tooltip player_id="122515" first="Brylee" last="Leverenz"] and [player_tooltip player_id="122558" first="Ella" last="Skogman"] will look to make an impact this year. Brylee set last year as a freshman and had over 200 assists. She is also an energetic and consistent hitter who could have an impact on offense as well. Ella is a middle who puts up a massive block and could have a breakout season this year! <h3>Muskego </h3> Watch out for Muskego this year. This team only continues to improve and they have some key returning athletes in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="57264" first="Brooke" last="Porter"] (2022) averaged nearly 4 kills per set last year and is dynamic and effective on defense and in serve receive as well. Setter Abbi Hassforth raked in over 550 assists in 2020, an impressive number during a normal season much less a shortened one. Ella Krotochvil (2023) has been impactful on offense since her freshman year and will earn a lot of points for Muskego. Middle hitter Carly Thomka (2023) was effective on offense, in blocking, and had quite a few aces as well. <h3>Waukesha South </h3> Waukesha South is another program that graduated some impactful seniors. Incoming senior setter Joelle Harrington will be a leader on this team. She earned significant playing time as a junior and this will be her third year on varsity. Incoming sophomore Kiran Strunsee is a consistent pin who is very athletic and gritty in both the front and back row. Elle Haddon (2023) is a defensively strong pin hitter who can earn kills and pick up a lot on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="81329" first="Mahlia" last="Lowe"] (2022) is incredibly strong on defense and serve receive. She is very active on defense and gritty on the court. Incoming senior middle blocker Christina Minz has a lot of power and is a solid blocker as well. She will be a huge leader on this Waukesha South team. <h3>Waukesha North </h3> North graduated a whopping nine seniors in 2021. This will be a huge reset year for them. There are some great athletes coming up through the pipeline though. Class of 2023 athlete Molly Lammers could have a breakout season this year and be impactful in all six rotations. Cayce Farrell will be one of the top athletes on this roster. As a setter, she is fast and has great ball control. Cayce improves every time I see her play and is a fun athlete to watch. Naveah Liebl could have an impact on the Northstars this year offensively.