Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Despite just two conference champions, Division 2 is stacked with a quad of talented squads that should make for an exciting Friday afternoon. The games will begin at 4 p.m. and run simultaneously. Here are the matchups:



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Xavier (34-9, 9-0 Eastern Valley) vs. Sauk Prairie (27-7, 10-2 Badger North)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Xavier- #3/#4; Sauk Prairie- NR/NR



Outlook: The Xavier senior class finally got the monkey off its back. With a surprising 3-0 sweep of top-state-ranked Waupun, the Hawks advanced to its first state competition since 2006, when the two were sent to different sectionals. Returning All-Eastern Valley P.O.Y. and junior Middle/Outside Hitter Lauren DeShaney has had another stellar season, averaging 3.5 kills per set and tallied 96 total blocks on the season. Junior Right Side Hitter Brooke Showalter is right behind her with 2.1 kills per set and senior Setter Emily Downey dishes out almost 9 assists per set. Sauk Prairie finished runner-up in the Badger North, but beat champ Waunakee in early October. The Eagles have plenty of momentum on their side, as they have rolled through three straight ranked teams in #13 River Valley, #7 Edgerton and #4 Madison Edgewood en route to their first ever state berth. Sauk is led by a quad of attackers who all average at least 2.1 kills per set. Junior Middle Lacey Puls leads the way with 2.9 per set, and senior Setter Lauren Halweg gives just over eight assists per set.



Matchup: Sauk Prairie has played the underdog to perfection this season, yet might have their hands full with an impressive Xavier squad. The Eagles' demise may come in the Middle on the defensive end, as the Hawks' Middles might be stronger. Xavier also leads the Division 2 field in digs with 13.7 per set, and for a Sauk team that registers a D2-low 10.6 kills per set, it may be a frustrating afternoon.



Prediction: Xavier 3, Sauk Prairie 0



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Tomahawk (44-4, 10-2 Great Northern) vs. Catholic Memorial (38-9, 7-0 Classic Eight)



Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Tomahawk- #6/HM Catholic Memorial #2/#2



Outlook: With a 44-4 record, Tomahawk is the Division 2 field's winningest team. The Hatchets finished fifth of 24 teams at the UW-Whitewater Invite to open the season, has won four weekend tournaments since and dropped just one set (to Hayward in the sectional final) this postseason. Yet the most interesting thing about this team--there are no seniors. Junior Outside Hitter Kaitlin Doughty is well on her way to All-State honors, averaging 4.4 kills per set, with fellow junior Outside Hitter Sydney Lakatos adds an impressive three kills herself. Catholic Memorial's volleyball program has weekly been a mainstay near the top of the Division 2 rankings. This year's Crusaders qualified for its fourth state berth after a 5-set sqeaker over Kettle Moraine Lutheran in the sectional finals. Catholic Memorial also won the silver bracket of the ASICS Challenge in Chicago that featured several nationally ranked teams. The Crusaders are led by a pair of hard-hitting juniors in Kate Acker and Kelli Browning, who each average three kills per set. Browning also gives the term "Middle Blocker" meaning as she has tallied 133 stuffs this season.



Matchup: Teams north of Highway 29 tend not to get much respect from the rest of the state, especially in the larger divisions. Unfortunately for Tomahawk, it has a very tough draw in Catholic Memorial. For the Hatchets to win, they will need to keep the ball away from Memorial's Browning and Acker, which won't be easy. The Crusaders have all the right parts to earn a 2009 State title, but must stay on track and not look past Tomahawk in order to do so.



Prediction: Catholic Memorial 3, Tomahawk 1