BELLEVILLE — With 14 returning letter winners from last year’s Capitol Conference and regional championship team, Sugar River head coach John Ziperski is confident his team will make another postseason run.

“We expect to be competitive in all games,” Ziperski said. “If we do things correctly and stay healthy, we can be in the playoff picture.”

Sophomore Anya Brenkman, junior Bella Brenkman and junior Audry Bruggeman lead the squad, as each has college interest. As a freshman, Anya Brenkman led the team and conference in scoring, earning First-Team All-Conference accolades. Her sister, Bella, also made the First Team All-Conference as the Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-State honors. The pair grabbed the attention of the coaching staff at UW-Green Bay, while Bruggeman is a Madison College recruit.

Junior Jenna Gentilli joined the Brenkman’s as First-Team All-Conference selections, while sophomore Hannah Boldebuck and junior Lily Maynard earned Second-Team and Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, respectively. 

“We return a great core of last year’s success,” Ziperski said. “We have a number of very skilled players with a thirst for success.” 

Despite multiple strengths, Ziperski knows his defense will need work after losing some key seniors to graduation.

“A challenge will be rebuilding our defense and managing injuries,” Ziperski said.

Currently, Bella Brenkman, Tenley Faber, Lainey Winkers and Abby Hendrickson are the returning letter winning defense, while Maggie Emond, Emily Julien, Jayce Ace and Addison Lutz look at add to the mix.

While the Raiders are poised for their fifth straight conference title, they will have to contend with Lake Mills and Lodi.

“I expect Lake Mills to be a hungry and improved team,” Ziperski said. “Lodi, too, has a perennially competitive side.”