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2009 Recap



Catholic Memorial ran the table in the Classic Eight last season, dropping just one set in seven league matches. The Crusaders were also the most dominant team in all of Division 2 last year, sweeping five of six playoff opponents en route to the 2009 D2 State title. CMH's dominance was also felt in the post-season accolades, having five players grace an All-State Team--the most of any other school in all four divisions. Perennial volleyball powerhouse and third-place Pius XI was surprised by Oak Creek in a Sectional semifinal, while second-place Arrowhead was ousted in the second round.



2009 Final Standings

2009 All-Conference Teams



2010 Preview



Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Catholic Memorial

2) Pius XI

3) Arrowhead

4) Waukesha West

5) Mukwonago

6) Kettle Moraine

7) Waukesha North

8) Waukesha South



Players to Watch:

Rachel Keith, Arrowhead

Taylor Sieth, Arrowhead

Patti Abshire, Catholic Memorial

Kate Acker, Catholic Memorial

Kelli Browning, Catholic Memorial

Alyssa Kujawa, Catholic Memorial

Alyssa Kurth, Kettle Moraine

Tess Vancura, Mukwonago

Molly Syndor, Pius XI

Allison Barnes, Waukesha West



2010 Season Outlook:

Few teams can be as dominant as Catholic Memorial was against pretty much all of its opponents last season, especially in Classic Eight play. This year, the Crusaders boast another outstanding group that includes four returning All-State nominees-- First Teammates Kate Acker and Patti Abshire, Second Team honoree Kelli Browning and Honorable Mention Alyssa Kujawa. Needless to say, CMH will have plenty of firepower back from last year's squad that was one of the state's best offenses with Acker and Kujawa as bookends in the outside positions.  Browning, standing 6-4, is one of the tallest girls volleyball players in the state and should have no trouble tallying 100-plus blocks while matching last year's efficient .483 hitting percentage. Abshire was one of two defensive representative on the All-State First Team and in a conference loaded with impressive hitters, she should once again be in the running for First Team status. While Catholic Memorial may need to replace All-State HM setter Diane McLeod, it will still take a very good team to beat the Crusaders in conference play this season.



Pius XI head coach Dave Scher may have experienced a mediocre 25-18 overall record in 2009, but he knows this year's squad should be primed for a much more productive season. "That 25-18 record of last year was the worst of my career, mostly because of our inability to finish off close matches," Scher, who picked up a State record 805 wins last season, said. "We need to improve on that!" And improve they should, with "good balance offensively and good defense" returning to this year's team. Second Team All-Conference nominee Molly Syndor, as well as a strong supporting cast, should keep this historic program in the running for league laurels.



Arrowhead snuck into second-place in last season's final standings, thanks to an early-season 3-1 win over the Lady Popes. The Warhawks will be without Classic Eight Player of the Year Janelle Hobbs, but does have senior All-Classic Eight First Team nominee Taylor Seith to help maintain the program's high expectations. Second Team Rachel Keith and Honorable Mentions Lauren Rolerat and Jenny Smith also earned post-season accolades, as Arrowhead should once again be a contender.



Waukesha West managed an over-.500 record at 4-3, and will most likely finish about there this season. The Wolverines are in one of the toughest Division 1 volleyball conferences in the state, and have had trouble breaking through with powerhouses CMH and Pius always near the top. Junior Allison Barnes and Honorable Mention Becky Honerlaw should be players to watch on a team that might just steal a set or three from those picked above them. Speaking of stealing sets, Mukwonago was the only surprise team to beat Catholic Memorial in conference play last season, dropping a 3-1 decision to open the Classic Eight season. The Indians get back Second Team All-Conference nominee Tess Vancura as well as junior Honorable Mention Mary Bogdanski, who will look to pick off more than just one set from league foes.



Kettle Moraine junior Alyssa Kurth should be tough once again, looking to improve on last season's Second Team honors. Unfortunately for the Lasers, Kurth was the only nominee from a squad that struggled to a 2-5 record in league play. Kettle must find more standouts to move up in the standings this season. Waukesha North swept crosstown rival Waukesha South in last season's Classic Eight finale, earning the Northstars' sole conference win. This season, those two squads might again be battling it out for the basement, with North's pair of Honorable Mentions Chelsea Sheldon and Kelly Sykes looking for more than just that.