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The 32 remaining boys volleyball teams will kick off sectional play Tuesday in the semifinal round hosted by respective top seeds. Sectional finals will be Thursday night at various locations, listed in each sectional preview below. Be sure to check our scoreboard page Tuesday night for the latest results!

(Note: The records listed are what we have for season results from those remaining teams. To get those updated, send a message to jay@wissports.net.)

Now onto the previews…

Sectional 1 (at Appleton North)

#1 Kaukauna (32-6, 8-0 Fox Valley Assoc.) vs. #4 Appleton West (10-12, 3-5 Fox Valley Assoc.)
The Galloping Ghosts have been the class of the FVA since 2009, collecting three straight undefeated league titles and a trip to the state tournament last season. Kaukauna has one of the biggest outside hitters in the state in 6-6 senior Alex Judkins, but he receives plenty of offensive support with the likes of Chris Patterson and Tom Sturdivant. Kaukauna is well in line to make its second straight trip to Wauwatosa. West continues to build its program, winning as many games this season as the last two seasons combined.

#2 Appleton North (27-5, 7-1 Fox Valley Assoc.) vs. #3 Kimberly (17-10, 6-2 Fox Valley Assoc.)
Despite Kaukauna’s most recent FVA dominance, North has been right in the thick of it since the turn of the decade. The Lightning made five trips to state between 2002 and 2009 and would love a chance at knocking off Kaukauna in a potential sectional final. Kimberly, which finished third in the league race at 6-2, is looking at this sectional semifinal matchup with revenge on its mind as it has played North tough all three times this season. And with a roster and depth chart dominated by juniors, the Papermakers performance Tuesday could be a precursor to next year’s potential.

Sectional 2 (at Nicolet)

#1 Nicolet (18-16, 5-1 North Shore) vs. #4 Fond du Lac (10-10, 4-4 Fox Valley Association)
The Knights were forced to share the North Shore Conference title this season, but still come in as likely favorites to survive this sectional. Led by senior outside Dan Mulcahy and junior setter Steven Richards, Nicolet has the firepower and experience to make its fifth straight state appearance. After a couple of struggling seasons, Fond du Lac launched itself into the top half of the Fox Valley Association standings—add in a huge upset over Nicolet and it would really make the Cardinals’ season a memorable one.

#2 Germantown (19-7, 5-1 North Shore) vs. #3 Arrowhead (11-12, 4-3 Classic Eight)
The higher-seeded Warhawks forced a tie atop the North Shore standings with a last-week sweep over powerhouse Nicolet. Yet Germantown is after more this postseason and led by senior outside Matt Schultz and senior middle-hitting basketball convert Zak Showalter, it has already proven a threat to earn its first state berth in school history. The other Warhawks finished tied for fourth in the Classic Eight and were consistently led by sophomore outside Andrew Patek. With a league featuring a handful of the top teams in the state, Arrowhead’s consistent play against tougher competition could factor into the outcome.

Sectional 3 (at Kettle Moraine)

#1 Catholic Memorial (25-3, 7-0 Classic Eight) vs. #5 Fort Atkinson (6-12, 3-7 Big Eight)
On paper, this matchup looks pretty lopsided. Catholic Memorial has been the second-best team in the state the entire season and is an overwhelming favorite to make the short trip to Tosa in two weeks. Returning state P.O.Y. Trevor Novotny has done his thing again this season, but the play of supporting cast Sam Browning and Eric Schmitz will be the difference in this team’s pursuit of two straight state titles. Fort Atkinson is incredibly young with just three seniors on the roster and will likely face its toughest opponent of the season Tuesday.

#2 Waukesha West (15-8, 5-2 Classic Eight) vs. #3 Kettle Moraine (11-10, 4-3 Classic Eight)
Classic Eight rivals clash again this season as the Wolverines swept the Lasers back in September to kick off C8C play. Senior outside Alec Jelacic led West with 11 kills in the three-set match, while junior setter Nick Wildes had 34 assists. That pair has connected often this season and is a big reason why the Wolverines pushed into the No. 3 spot in the boys coaches’ poll earlier this season. Kettle Moraine senior Ryan Omdoll may have his hands full Tuesday as he’ll likely carry the offensive load for the Lasers.

Sectional 4 (at Burlington)

#1 Burlington (23-7, 6-2 Southeast) vs. #4 Mukwonago (12-13, 2-5 Classic Eight)
The Demons were the only team to beat Kenosha Tremper this season, coming on the final night of Southeast Conference play in a thrilling five-set match. Joey Gesteland and Carson Biedrzycki were big that night, and along with Nolan Rueter post a very potent offensive trio. Mukwonago finished fifth in the tough Classic Eight and was blown out by Burlington at the Fort Atkinson Invite at the end of September. The Indians’ Kullen Cook will need a monster match to knock out the top seed Tuesday.

#2 Westosha Central (21-11, 5-3 Southeast) vs. #3 Middleton (17-12, 8-2 Big Eight)
All but two of head coach Wayne Schultz’ Falcons are 6-1 or taller as Westosha has one of the best outsides in the state in senior Mike Michelau, who has tallied 350 kills on the year. Add in a supporting cast of junior outside Caleb Mobile, junior middle Regan Hess and sophomore setter Brooks Gahart and one finds a very strong squad. The Falcons also took out Muskego, Wauwatosa East and Waukesha West at its own quad last Monday, picking up some impressive momentum. Middleton is a perennial Big Eight powerhouse but has experienced a bit of a down year compared to the Cardinals’ previous standards. Yet the program will be looking for a witch-hunt of its own making the long trip to Salem.

Sectional 5 (at Muskego)

#1 Kenosha Tremper (26-1, 7-1 Southeast) vs. #4 New Berlin United (13-8, 9-1 Woodland)
The Trojans came within three points of a perfect season, but dropped its regular season finale at Burlington. Yet that loss could be a blessing for Curtis Madson’s squad that gets plenty of balance from senior ousides Andrew Fricke and Alex Birz, as well as middles Tyler Range and Collin Kimisch. Tremper has actually earned state berths four times since the turn of the century while New Berlin is actually the last team to have won the state title not named Catholic Memorial or Marquette. The Juggernauts’ senior outside Nick Olson has been on a tear all season, averaging over 17 kills per match. Yet he’ll need yet another super showing in order for New Berlin to topple Tremper.

#2 Franklin (25-13, 6-2 Southeast) vs. #3 Muskego (21-12, 5-3 Southeast)
Franklin tied Burlington in the pretty deep Southeast Conference standings and like league champ Tremper has a pretty balanced attack. Seniors Evan Repavich, Alex Fredrich, Steven Fons and Danny Kingstad have provided a very potent offense all season and will look to do the same against their league rival Muskego Tuesday. The Warriors actually took two out of three from the Sabers during the season—in regular season dual play 3-2 and 2-0 at last weekend’s SEC tournament. Regardless of the result, this showdown should be a great sectional semifinal.

Sectional 6 (at Greenfield)

#1 Racine Horlick (16-15, 4-4 Southeast) vs. #4 Racine Case (3-15, 1-7 Southeast)
Horlick may have finished sixth in the SEC with a .500 overall record, but in a very wide-open sectional it received the top seed. The Rebels are led by senior outside Mitch Greiner who has been clutch in HOrlick’s quest for a winning season since 2009—the last time it qualified for the state tournament after winning the title in 2003. Case’s lone league win came over winless Racine Park, but swept Greenfield in the regional finals rather easily.

#2 Greendale (5-13, 4-6 Woodland) vs. #3 Racine St. Catherine’s (5-13)
Greendale is the defending champion from Sectional 6, and the Panthers could be in the running for another trip to Wauwatosa. The hitting tandem of Jason Genz and Matt Grieshop did a lot of work in the playoffs last season and will need to repeat those efforts as they take on the Indpendent Racine St. Catherine’s. Like Germantown, the Angels boast a big-time basketball convert in Jordan Fouse who will be essential to St. Cat’s playoff hopes of earning the school’s first ever state berth.

Sectional 7 (at Pius XI)

#1 Marquette University (34-4, 5-0 Greater Metro) vs. #5 West Allis Hale (4-14, 1-4 Greater Metro)
The Hilltoppers have been the undeniably most dominant team in the state all season long, and are overwhelming favorites to make its 10th straight appearance in a state quarterfinal and win its sixth title in that span. This year’s roster is loaded with talented seniors—namely right side Peter Hutz, setter Michael Schneck, middle Conrad Kaminski and libero Keenan Fliss—all of whom may be the best player in the state at each position. For the West Alis Hale to pull off the upset of ages, it will need a ridiculous match from junior outside Parker Voller and company.

#2 Pius XI (11-13, 5-2 Classic Eight) vs. #3 Waukesha South (4-10, 1-6 Classic Eight)
Pius’ tie for second place in the Classic Eight is definitely something to be proud of, considering the overall strength of the league. The Popes also won as many matches in league play as in the past two combined, and should they make the state tournament would tie their overall records from those seasons as well. Senior Billy Paese and junior Jake Tenaglia lead the team in kills this season as the Popes will need to make sure they take care of Waukesha South before a huge sectional final matchup. The Blackshirts will definitely have their hands full, though they did take a set off the Popes in the regular season finale.

Sectional 8 (at Brookfield East)

#1 Wauwatosa East (20-8, 4-1 Greater Metro) vs. #4 Brookfield East (9-11, 3-2 Greater Metro)
Tosa East has consistently been that third-best team in the state over the past three seasons or so but is hungry for some hardware this season. Led this season by senior middle Max Kilpin, East has earned five straight state berths, but only one title back in 2006. Looking at the Red Raiders’ potential path, this year could be a well-worthy accolade should they make it that far with an extremely loaded top half of the state slate. That path begins Tuesday with GMC foe Brookfield East, which played a very tight battle the first time around. Senior outside Kyle Rohde tallied an outstanding 33 kills in the 3-1 loss, and will likely be looking for more in the sectional semifinals.

#2 Shorewood (15-1, 9-1 Woodland) vs. #6 Brookfield Central (13-16, 2-3 Greater Metro)
Shorewood split the season series with fellow co-champ New Berlin United, winning its second straight league tile. The Greyhounds are led by senior Andrew Muller as he and the ‘Hounds hope to defend home court Tuesday. Brookfield Central may be the highest seed remaining in the boys volleyball field, though despite its #6-seed it might actually be considered a favorite in its sectional matchup at Shorewood. Central has definitlely played a tougher non-conference schedule, but do they have enough firepower to pull off the upset?