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Submitted by Shane Kleiman for WisSports.net



2009 Recap



Sevastopol finished conference dual matches with a perfect 7-0 record, and even though they were upset by Algoma in the championship match of the conference tournament, they still won the conference championship based on a points system combining dual match and tournament play. Algoma, Oconto, and N.E.W. Lutheran finished out the top four in that order. In Division 3 Regional play, Oconto was upset by Bonduel in the semifinals and Sevastopol made it to the Regional finals before losing to Roncalli in five games. In Division 4, N.E.W. Lutheran upset Hilbert in the Regional semifinals before losing to eventual state qualifier Manitowoc Lutheran in Regional finals.  



2009 Final Standings

2009 All-Conference Teams



2010 Preview



Predicted Order to Finish:

1) Algoma

2) N.E.W. Lutheran

3) Sevastopol

4) Oconto

5) Southern Door

6) Gibraltar

7) Kewaunee

8) Sturgeon Bay



Players to Watch:

Lindsey Kirchman, Algoma

Karissa LeCaptain, Algoma

Rachel Bordeleau, N.E.W. Lutheran

Carley Valentine, N.E.W. Lutheran

Gabby Van Beaver, N.E.W. Lutheran  

Danielle Sherman, Oconto

Lizzy Burke, Sevastopol

Jessie DeMeuse, Sevastopol

Annie Felhofer, Southern Door



2010 Season Outlook:

Having already won conference titles in basketball and softball in 2010, Algoma s very talented girls class of 2012 (and a few other non-juniors) turns their attention to a conference title in volleyball.  After taking second place in the Packerland in 2009, the Wolves return five players from their regular eight player rotation. Junior Libero Lindsey Kirchman and junior middle Karissa LeCaptain both were Second Team All-Conference, while senior setter Kelsey Koss and junior defensive specialist Courtney Dart both were Honorable Mention All-Conference last season. Senior front row player Lizzy Dier also made significant contributions last year, and will probably be asked to contribute even more as the Wolves graduate two outside hitters and a middle hitter. Also look for junior Taylor Jossie to step in and fill one of those roles in 2010.



After winning three straight Packerland Conference championships from 2006 to 2008, N.E.W. Lutheran slipped to fourth in 2009 and loses four players to graduation who saw regular playing time. However, the Blazers return by far the best front row combination in the conference in 2010. Outside hitter Rachel Bordeleau (254 kills, 42 aces), middle hitter Gabby Van Beaver (145 kills, 38 aces, and 144 blocks), and setter Carley Valentine (128 kills, 41 aces, and 69 blocks) were all First Team All-Packerland Conference as juniors last season. Their other returning starter, senior outside hitter Val Mielke led the Blazers in aces with 63 along with collecting 107 kills. Look for senior middle Beth Esmay and junior outside Becca Schoenwalder to take over key roles this season. Although the front row is in pretty good shape, the Blazers back row comes into the 2010 filled with holes where they lost Honorable Mention All-Conference Libero Alexis Schaefer and 1First Team All-Conference defensive specialist Cassie Sarokin, who combined for over 1000 digs in 2009. 



Sevastopol came within a few points of completing a perfect conference season, but still finished with a conference title in 2009. All seven of the Pioneers starters received some sort of all-conference recognition, but only seniors Jessie DeMeuse (First Team All-Conference) and Lizzy Burke (Second Team All-Conference) return in 2010. The biggest holes to fill will be replacing middle Diane Jorgenson and setter Robynn Schopf, who were Co-Players of the Year in 2009.



Oconto returns eight of the fourteen players on its 2009 roster; unfortunately they have to replace four players who received some sort of all-conference recognition last year. They include three hitters in Emily Geurts, Danielle Bowen, and Katie Thompson who were all Second Team All-Conference while defensive specialist Marissa LaCourt as Honorable Mention All-Conference. Key returning players include Second Team All-Conference senior setter Danielle Sherman and senior hitter Claire Check. Southern Door needs to replace 10 seniors from last year s team, including Second Team All-Conference selections Taylor Jandrin and Erin Baudhuin, and Honorable Mention All-Conference Claire Ouimette. Senior middle Annie Felhofer was First Team All-Conference last season, and seniors Dana Guilette and Nicole Hanson will be expected to have major roles in 2010.



First-year Gibraltar head coach Lauren Bremer hopes to improve on a 4-17 season through team strengths of "serving, defense, and communication." The Vikings have to replace Honorable Mention All-Conference Ava Nedderson. Kewaunee returns five players from its 2009 varsity roster, but must replace starters at the setter and libero positions as well as a starting outside and a starting middle. Strugeon Bay loses Lauren Rose, Kelley Curtin, and Hannah Bumgardner who were Honorable Mention All-Conference last season.