Potential Division 3 Regional Upsets
Plenty of tight closely seeded teams making upsets in the first round throughout all divisions. Who is on the upset radar in Division 3? Let’s take a look! Division 3 Sectional 1- #6 Unity @ #3 Saint Croix Falls This will…
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Continue ReadingPlenty of tight closely seeded teams making upsets in the first round throughout all divisions. Who is on the upset radar in Division 3? Let’s take a look!
Division 3
Sectional 1-
#6 Unity @ #3 Saint Croix Falls
This will be a really good match! Unity took down Falls, 3-0, at the beginning of September. Falls then beat Unity, 3-1, at the end of September. Falls will try to repeat their last meeting, and Unity will try to hang on and extend their season another round.
#6 Cashton @ #2 Melrose-Mindoro
These two haven’t played each other, but they’ve beaten the same teams. Cashton upset #3 Arcadia on Tuesday in a 5-set thriller. Melrose-Mindoro is on a 9-match win streak after winning the Dairyland Conference but has little experience going past 3 sets, and this will probably be a very back and forth match.
Sectional 2-
#8 Manawa @ #1 Oconto
Manawa is 23-8 while Oconto is 26-8. Oconto went 9-2 to win the Packerland Conference this year. I think this will be a every tight match; but if Manawa starts strong, they could take this match. If they let the match go into the 4th or 5th set, Oconto has a history of finishing those matches strong. Oconto is powered by Cora Behnke Cora Behnke 6'0" | OH Oconto | 2021 State WI (2021 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter), Mara Allen (2019 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker), Aubree Bucheger Aubree Bucheger 5'8" | DS/L Oconto | 2020 State WI (2020 – 5’7 – Defensive Specialist), and Baleigh Gering (2020 – 5’7 – Setter).
Sectional 3-
#9 Mineral Point @ #1 Wisconsin Heights
Mineral Point hasn’t had a great overall season, but they did just come up with an upset on Tuesday. Point took down #8 Parkview in a tight 4-set match. Point will have to deal with Height’s Ashlee Adler Ashlee Adler 5'10" | MB Wisconsin Heights | 2020 State WI (2020 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter), Kelsi Handel (2020 – 5’8 – Middle Blocker), Taylor Kraemer(2019 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker), and Jada Wood (2020 – 5’7 – Setter).
#6 Darlington @ #3 Belleville
Darlington takes a little bit to warm up, but once they are warm, watch-out! While Belleville has played more matches, they still have minimal experience going into a 5th match, and I think this one may go into a deciding set. Darlington will have to deal with Belleville’s Rachael Heittola (2019 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker), Erin Kittleson (2020 – 5’6 – Outside Hitter), and Sydney Gentilli (2019 – 5’2 – Libero).
#6 Necedah @ #3 Markesan
These two haven’t gone head-to-head yet. Markesan did beat both Northland Pines and Pardeeville in August. Necedah lost to Northland Pines in August and beat Pardeeville in the first Regional match. Both teams seem to be very up and down, but if Necedah can establish a strong start, they may be able to upset Markesan. But if this match goes into the 4th and 5th sets, Markesan has the advantage with a better record in the late sets. Necedah will be relying on Miah Hansen Miah Hansen 5'8" | DS/L Necedah | 2020 State WI (2020 – 5’6 – Middle Blocker/Setter/Outside Hitter), Faith Tunks Faith Tunks 5'7" | OH Necedah | 2019 State WI (2019 – 5’6 – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter), and Hannah Horak (2020 – Libero).
Sectional 4-
#6 Saint Mary’s Springs @ #3 Manitowoc Lutheran
While Springs is the lower seed, they enter this match with a 28-4 record. These two haven’t played each other, but they have both beaten Mayville and Winnebago Lutheran. Springs takes a little while to warm up, but if they can push the match to the 4th or 5th set, they can be quite dangerous. Manitowoc’s strength is in their offense, led by Maddie Gorte (2019 – 6’1 – Outside Hitter) and Grace Melso (2019 – 5’8 – Setter). Springs’ strength is in their defense, led by Isabelle Coon (2022 – Setter/Outside Hitter) and Katie Baker (2019 – Libero/Defensive Specialist).