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2009 Recap



Racine St. Catherine's won the Midwest Classic South with a perfect 8-0 season record by squeaking past Dominican in the season finale, 3-2. The Angels also earned a No. 1 seed in the Division 3 playoffs but was upset by conference rival Shoreland Lutheran in the Regional finals. The third-place Pacers actually beat four conference foes in Kenosha Christian Life, Racine Lutheran, St. Cat's and Dominican en route to a Sectional final berth. Catholic Central, who finished in second place with a 7-1 mark, also reached a Division 4 Sectional final before losing to Manitowoc Lutheran in straight sets.



2009 Final Standings

2009 All-Conference Teams



2010 Preview



Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Racine St. Catherine's

2) Shoreland Lutheran

3) Catholic Central

4) Racine Lutheran

5) Dominican

6) The Prairie School

7) Kenosha Christian Life

8) Kenosha St. Joseph's

9) Martin Luther



Players to Watch:

Danielle Stoppenbach, Catholic Central

Ashley Warnke, Dominican

Brie Tennyson, Kenosha Christian Life

Rose Aumamm, Racine Lutheran

Haley Jeffcoat, Racine St. Catherine's

Kathleen Omelina, Racine St. Catherine's

Maddie Anderson, Shoreland Lutheran

Taylor Bahr, Shoreland Lutheran

Kathryn Johnson, The Prairie School



2010 Season Outlook:

In reality, Racine St. Catherine's should have no troubles repeating as Midwest Classic South champions, as it returns crops of talent from last year's title-earning squad that graduated only one senior. MCC South Player of the Year and All-State Honorable Mention Haley Jeffcoat and teammate Kathleen Omelina were the only two non-seniors named to the All-MCC First Team last year and will be back looking to take 2010 by the horns. Yet the always-tough MCC South is ripe with talented squads with plenty of program success, which the Angels found out first-hand in last year's Regional final upset at the hands of Shoreland Lutheran.



Speaking of Shoreland Lutheran, Pacers head coach Michelle Treder is ready to make the leap from third to first in the MCC South this year, and has the potential to do just that. "We're returning experience in my two setters," Treder said, "and we also have height in my middle blockers." That pair of setters come in the form of Maddie Anderson and Taylor Bahr, who in the 6-2 offense also swing outside for Shoreland. Treder also mentioned that her hitters in general must be a bit more consistent for offensive production, which starts with a serve receive that will be with out graduated First Team Libero Katie Morman.



Catholic Central may have had a 23-20 overall record, but the Hilltoppers played some incredible invitational competition, which helped them to a second-place league finish and a Sectional final in Division 4. This season's schedule is a similar gauntlet, starting with the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Open where it will face a plethora of strong teams from larger schools. That stiff competition can only help Catholic Central work out the kinks this season, as it must find a replacement for last season's kills leader and All-State Honorable Mention Kelli Smith as well as starting setter Heather Czarny. Head coach Mae-Mae Oberhofer is optimistic though, knowing "serving and defense should be our team strengths this season."



Racine Lutheran head coach Becky Demuth is entering her eighth season at the helm, and is coming off a solid 4-4 season last year in the competitive MCC South. Demuth, like CC's Oberhofer said, "Serving and defense" should be strong features for her Lancers, while "consistency putting the ball away" will be the offensive focus this season. Another squad with an experienced setter in Rosie Aumann, Lutheran really only lost one starting middle hitter from last season and could be the league's Dark Horse this year. Dominican, meanwhile, gets back Ashley Warnke from last year's All-MCC Second Team, who will need to make up for the graduation of Ellie Kruesel and Jessie Bazan, both First Team nominees last season. The Knights did earn a Sectional berth last season though and will look to maintain the winning ways in Whitefish Bay.



The Prairie School inched its way to a 2-6 finish in league play, but could be improved with the return of Kathryn Johnson, who should be one of the top players in the MCC South this season. Likewise, Kenosha Christian Life failed to win a conference game last season, but also has a Second Teamer in outside/middle hitter Brie Tennyson, who will need to carry much of the Eagles' offensive load this season in order to climb from the MCC cellar. Crosstown rival Kenosha St. Joseph's will need to replace Allie Larsen and find some more offensive weapons to improve on last year's 3-5 mark. The senior-laden Martin Luther squad will try everything it can to scratch and claw its way up the league ladder--which may be tough with such a top-heavy conference loaded with talent.