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2009 Recap



Grantsburg has put its name on the map of Wisconsin high school volleyball, blasting its way to the Division 3 State Championship last November. The Pirates were once again undefeated champs at 10-0, dropping only five sets all season--three at a non-conference tournament against Hayward and two in the sectional semifinal against rival Washburn. Clayton played bridesmaid once again this season with an 8-2 record and advanced to its second straight Division 4 sectional semifinal. Shell Lake was the only other squad to reach a regional final after finishing 4-6 in league play.

 

2009 Final Standings

2009 All-Conference Teams

 

2010 Preview

 

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Grantsburg

2) Turtle Lake

3) Clayton

4) Luck

5) Webster

6) St. Croix Falls

7) Shell Lake

8) Siren

9) Unity

10) Frederic

11) Clear Lake

 

Players to Watch:

Lindsey LaBlanc, Clayton

Emily Cole, Grantsburg

Kortney Morrin, Grantsburg

Morgan Denny, Luck

Sarah Petznick, St. Croix Falls

Ashley Lahti, Turtle Lake

Alex Tchida, Turtle Lake

Siiri Larsen, Webster

 

2010 Season Outlook:

Nobody has been able to stop the Grantsburg steam train as the Pirates have won 21 straight conference titles, 16 consecutive regional titles and 10 sectional championships in the past 20 seasons. The defending Division 3 State Champions lose middle hitter Lauren Romanowski and All-State outside hitter Annie Palmquist, but get back starting setter Emily Cole and outside hitter Kortney Morrin back for their senior seasons, both of whom earned All-West Lakeland First Team and All-State honors (Morrin was First Team) last season. It may take more than just an off night for the Pirates to be beaten this season in West Lakeland play.

 

Turtle Lake may have finished just 5-5 last season in league play, but it returns its entire team including All-West Lakeland First Team junior setter Ashley Lahti and Second Team seniors in middle blocker Tricia Hanson and outside hitter Alex Tschida. The Lakers should be much improved this year and should be in the running for the Non-Grantsburg West Lakeland title. Clayton went 8-2 in the West Lakeland and earned a sectional semifinal berth last season before losing to eventual Division 4 State champ McDonell. The Bears get back All-Conference First Team member Lindsey LaBlanc as well as Second Team honoree Krystal Kohnen, but will need to replace the Grossenbacher pair of Ashley and Annie who anchored the Clayton offense last season. Head coach Diane Schradle said this year's team strengths include "scrappy defense and multiple hitters to go to on offense, as well as team players who are very dedicated and motivated."

 

 Despite just a 4-6 record in conference play last season, Luck should be ripe with young and aggressive athletes this fall. Senior middle hitter Morgan Denny finished the season with 205 kills and 99 total blocks and should provide solid leadership for the Cardinals who could surprise a few teams in2010. Webster always seems to put together a nice run in league play. The Tigers upset Clayton in the regular season finale to finish tied for third with a 7-3 record and will welcome back setter Siiri Larsen and outside hitter Michelle Gibbs for their senior seasons. Coach Mindy Widiker could just put together another nice conference run in 2010. St. Croix Falls will welcome back junior Sarah Petznick from last year s 7-3 squad, but will need to replace First Team All-Conference middle Megan Yunker as well as a setter and pair of Liberos.

 

Shell Lake graduated almost its entire roster from last season that finished 4-6, including Ashley Anderson who led the team in kills, blocks and hitting percentage. Yet head coach Amy Skattebo has tradition, as well as a 2009 regional final playoff experience on her side. Siren won just its second regional game in the past six years last season after a 2.5 hour bus ride to Bayfield. Yet the Dragons get back All-Conference Honorable Mention Carley Emery, who will need to lead this team as Siren looks to climb the West Lakeland ladder. Unity may not be a hotbed of volleyball players recently, but the Eagles scored arguably the biggest upset of the decade in the opening round of the WIAA regionals last season. As the 7-seed, Unity took out 2-seed and WLC rival St. Croix Falls 3-1 to win its first ever playoff game since the advent of the seeded regional.

 

Frederic will have several new looks from last year s team that graduated some quality starters, including All-Conference First Teamer Chrissy Chenal. The Vikings also have a new head coach in Staci Lemieux, who last brought Frederic to a regional final in 2007. Clear Lake had a pair on the All-Conference Honorable Mention team last season and finished with a 4-6 league record. The Warriors did pick up a surprising early-season sweep against Webster and a late-season sweep of Shell Lake, but they ll need to be more consistent this season if they want to move up the standings.