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The two games slated to open up the 2009 WIAA State tournament features four of the top five ranked teams will square off in a duet of early evening matches that will surely set the tone for the entire weekend. The night games feature two more teams in the top ten and a pair of underdogs who definitely earned their berth this season. Nicolet vs. Muskego and DSHA vs. Burlington will play at 4:30 p.m., while Kaukauna vs. Fond du Lac and D.C. Everest vs. Middleton will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday night. Here are breakdowns of those matchups.



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Nicolet (35-3, 7-0 North Shore) vs. Muskego (39-5, 7-0 Southeast)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Nicolet- #4/#7  Muskego- #3/#1



Outlook: Nicolet survived arguably the toughest sectional in the state, defeating #9 Menomonee Falls and #1 Watertown in sectional competition en route to its first State berth since 1981. The Knights are anchored by a pair of Outside Hitters in sophomore Melissa Morello and senior Sam Lautmann, who average 4.3 and 2.3 kills per set. Middle Blockers Krystalyn Goode and Nicole Flemming are great defensive players, each tallying over 100 blocks. Muskego remained in the top three ranked teams for most of the year, and waltzed through its sectional with three sweeps. The Warriors will head to Green Bay led by seniors Rachel Neuberger and Alli Gilsch, who average 3.2 and 2.5 kills per set. Neuberger and fellow Middle Jessica Stanton have also tallied an impressive 220 and 146 blocks apiece.



Matchup: As one of the opening matches in the State Tournament, a block party may break out rather than just a volleyball game. Nicolet's Goode, who stands 6'3" and is the tallest player in Division 1, will be tough to hit around. Yet Muskego leads the field in blocks thanks to Neuberger and Stanton, meaning hitting percentages may be uncharacteristically low. Muskego leads the season series 1-0 after a 2-1 defeat of the Knights at Muskego's home tournament.



Prediction: Muskego 3, Nicolet 2



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Divine Savior Holy Angels (36-8, 7-0 Greater Metro) vs. Burlington (35-11, 7-0 So. Lakes)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): DSHA- #2/#3; Burlington- #5/#4



Outlook: DSHA hasn't been to state since 2004, but the five-year absence doesn't mean it won't be prepared. The Dashers cruised through its sectional, disposing of a tough Oak Creek squad in the sectional finals. DSHA is anchored by a pair of Outside Hitters in Kelly Brandenberg and Kathleen Brennan, who average 4.2 and 3.1 kills per set. DSHA might also run a 6-2 offense this weekend, with a pair of setters in Amanda Dettmann and Brianne Fliss putting up 9.2 and 6.7 assists per set. Burlington has a much more balanced offense, as the Demons boast a pair of Outside Hitters each averaging exactly 2.9 kills per set in senior Mandi Baumeister and freshman Ciara Capezio. Burlington has the most losses in the Division 1, but eight of those have come from teams in the State tournament field, including four to Muskego, two to Nicolet and one to Friday's opponent DSHA.



Matchup: DSHA took the first meeting 2-0 at the West Bend Sprawl in September, but Burlington has improved since. Burlington's seniors will need to carry this team, as most of them are big defensive contributors. The Dashers, with five players 6'0" or taller, must use their height advantage and make Burlington pay for any mistakes.



Prediction: Divine Savior Holy Angels 3, Burlington 2



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Kaukauna (35-7, 9-0 Fox Valley Assoc.) vs. Fond du Lac (31-11, 7-2 Fox Valley Assoc.)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Kaukauna- #7/#6, Fond du Lac- NR/NR



Outlook: Kaukauna cruised to an undefeated FVA record this season, including recording a 3-1 victory over Fond du Lac. The Galloping Ghosts advanced from its own sectional, where they didn't drop a set. Right Side Hitter in Leah Van Zeeland leads Kaukauna with 3.1 kills per set, and sophomore Outside Jenni Fassbender adds 2.2 kills. Junior setter McKinzie Freimuth dishes out 9.2 assists and junior Libero Maria Van Abel records about seven digs per set. Fond du Lac, meanwhile, boasts an outstanding Outside itself, in Kayla Pickart. Pickart, a 6' junior captain leads the team with 3.5 kills and sophomore Setter Emily Riese averages 9.7 assists for the Cardinals. Fondy upset second-seeded West Bend West before dropping fifth-seeded Neenah to advance from the West Bend East Sectional.



Matchup: Kaukauna comes in the favorite, as the Ghosts beat Fondy twice this season. Though Fond du Lac will be hoping the old moniker "it's tough to beat a team three times in one season" rings true, as it will need a big match from Pickart and Morgan Nick. The Cards must improve its block though if it wants to pull of the upset.



Prediction: Kaukauna 3, Fond du Lac 1



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D.C. Everest (27-12, 11-1 Wisconsin Valley) vs. Middleton (40-5, 9-0 Big 8)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): D.C. Everest- NR/HM, Middleton- #6/#8



Outlook: D.C. Everest is making its third straight appearance to the Resch Center after finishing with yet another WVC title this season. The Evergreens have had a stronghold on the Northwest/Central sectional and beat Wausau West and Eau Claire North to affirm its area supremacy. DCE is led by senior Outside Hitter Molly Leith's 2.7 kills per set. But defense is where this team has found success--the 'Greens lead the Division 1 field with over 2400 digs recorded in its 39 matches. They will need all the defense they can get with Middleton next on the docket, as the Cardinals boast the most potent offense in D1 with 13.5 kills per set. Leading the way is Michigan recruit and senior Molly Toon, whose four kills and 3.42 digs per set lead the Cardinals. Three other seniors-- Outside Hitter Laura McGinnis and Middle Hitters Andrea Barmann Danielle Prochaska all add at least two kills per set, making this team tough to defend. The Cardinals advanced via a 5-set come-back thriller over Big 8 rival Madison LaFollette.



Matchup: A team representing the Northwest quadrant of the state has won just one match in State competition since 2001. That came in 2007 when D.C. Everest beat Pius 3-2. This season, it doesn't look promising on paper for the Evergreens to repeat that feat. Unless the defense can frustrate Middleton hitters, it might be a shooting range for the Cardinals.



Prediction: Middleton 3, D.C. Everest 0