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Submitted by Shane Kleiman for WisSports.net

2009 Recap

Highland won the Six Rivers West Conference with a perfect record while Potosi finished second with its only two conference losses coming against Highland. These were not the only two matchups of the season for these two teams; however, as the two teams split a pair of non-conference matchups before Highland beat Potosi in sectional semifinals. The sectional semifinal match was a five set nail biter, in which three games were decided by the two point minimum. Highland ended up making in to the Resch Center, where it lost to Newman Catholic in five sets in a semifinal match. River Ridge won its first round match on the D4 tournament before losing to Highland, while Shullsburg also won its first round match before losing to Potosi.

2009 Final Standings
2009 All-Conference Teams

2010 Preview

Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Highland
2. River Ridge
3. Cassville
4. Potosi
5. Belmont
6. Shullsburg
7. Benton  

Players to Watch:
Kendall Wienkes, Highland
Rachel Aide, Highland
Carlee Yanna, Highland
Emily Rose, Highland
Morgan Bomkamp, Highland
Faye Demes, Cassville
Shelbie Ackerman, Cassville
Anna Burgess, Shullsburg
Nicole Erickson, Belmont  

2010 Season Outlook:
Not only did Highland go undefeated in conference last season, they only lost three sets in those conference matches. The Cardinals continued that dominance into the D4 tournament, only losing two sets to Potosi while sweeping their other four opponents. Virtually that same team returns in 2010, with seven of eight players who saw regular playing time coming back to see if they can make a run at not only a conference championship, but a state championship as well. Notable returnees include Six Rivers West Player of the Year senior middle Kendall Wienkes, First Team All-Conference senior setter Rachel Aide, Second Team All-Conference senior Libero Carlee Yanna, Second Team All-Conference senior middle Morgan Bomkamp, and Honorable Mention All-Conference senior outside Emily Rose. Obviously experience is a strength, as well as having a team that is “hardworking, play well together, versatile and coachable,” according to head coach Maria Wineski, who was named Six Rivers West Coach of the Year in 2009.  

One of only two teams to win a conference set against Highland, River Ridge looks to move up in the conference standings after finishing third last season. The Timberwolves lose three players who were named to the All-Conference list in Fist Team All-Conference back row Desiree Knapp and Honorable Mention All-Conference hitters Natasha Smith and Brianna Stagman. Head coach Diane Langmeier feels hitting and blocking will be strengths, with three middle hitters (seniors Jessie Mergen, senior Megan White, and junior Traci Kirschbaum) returning. Setting should also be a strength, as senior setter Mickey Breuer returns. With the graduation of Desiree Knapp, coach Langmeier questions back row “passing accuracy.” Look for junior defensive specialist Chelsey Knapp to possibly fill in.  

Cassville finished the conference season last year with a .500 record at 6-6. This year, the Comets return Second Team All-Conference senior all around Faye Demes, Honorable Mention All-Conference senior setter Shelbie Ackerman, and senior back row player Taylor Bausch. However, they must replace First Team All-Conference front row player Leanne Hampton, as well as a pair of Honorable Mention All-Conference selections in Gabrielle Schauff and Alyssa Adrian. Potosi followed up a state appearance in 2008 with a second place finish in conference as well as winning regionals. This year the Chieftains have to replace multiple key players in First Team All-Conference middle Brianna Reising, First Team All-Conference outside Katie Reynolds, Honorable Mention All-Conference outside Nicole Ames, and setter Jodi Fecht. They return six players who were listed on last year’s roster, as well as introducing new head coach Tiffany Knueppel.  

Belmont finished last season with a losing record, but showed signs of good play that included a win over Albany, one of the better teams in the Six Rivers East Conference. Returning players like Honorable Mention All-Conference senior middle Nicole Erickson, junior setter Kailee Kamps, and senior front row player Brittany Wedig look to make good play a more regular factor in Belmont volleyball. However, they must replace Second Team All-Conference setter/right side Sara Carey and Honorable Mention All-Conference Elizabeth Rand. As a five seed in the WIAA Division 4 playoffs last year, Shullsburg was able to upset Belmont in the first round of regionals. The Miners return Second Team All-Conference senior back row player Anna Burgess, but lose Second Team All-Conference front row Casey Peacock, Honorable Mention All-Conference setter Emily Burgess, and hitter Alyssa Graham. Benton graduated two Honorable Mention All-Conference selections in setter Megan Neis and hitter Abby Mowry and will look for its first conference victory in over a year.