MONROE - The second season begins for the Monroe volleyball team and the slogan for teams across southern Wisconsin is survive and advance.
Monroe (8-27) embraces playing the underdog role as they open a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal at No. 1 seed Edgerton tonight. The Cheesemakers are looking forward to getting off to a fast start.
"They will come in with a positive attitude and a will to win," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "They will give it everything they have and leave it all out on the court. This is a great experience to carry them on in their volleyball career."
The Cheesemakers have been playing without sophomore middle hitter Alicia Kuester, who dislocated her thumb and is out for the season. Monroe senior Maggy Johnson has stepped up as a middle hitter. If the Cheesemakers pull off a shocker and upset the Crimson Tide, the blueprint is established.
"They know if we don't make a good pass to the setter we won't be able to do what we do with the ball," Witt said. "Our passing has to be on point."
Witt is confident that the schedule the Cheesemakers have played has prepared them for the tense moments in the tournament.
"Our conference schedule the whole season has been tough," Witt said. "They have showed improvement since the beginning of the season. We always peak at the end of the year."
Division 3
Brodhead (24-7) will look to make a second straight state tournament run. The Cardinals received a No. 2 seed and have a first-round regional bye today. Brodhead will play the winner of Darlington and Orfordville Parkview Thursday in a regional semifinal.
Will the Cardinals make a state tournament run?
"That is a hard call," Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer said. "Tournament play is do or die."
One potential stumbling block for the Cardinals is Cuba City, ranked No. 8 in the WisSports.net Coaches poll. If the Cardinals win Thursday, they would likely face unbeaten Cuba City (16-0) in a regional championship showdown Saturday.
"We are focusing on our first regional match," Kammerer said. "We want to be playing for the regional championship in Cuba City on Saturday."
Brodhead juniors Kylie Moe and Amber Pickel each are averaging nine to 10 kills per match.
"We rely on them to put the ball away," Kammerer said. "There are a lot of things that have to happen before that. We are focusing on our passing first."
The Cardinals have made some adjustments this year switching Pickel to middle hitter and moving senior Brooke Boegli to the right side hitting position.
"I'm hoping that experience from state last year can give them confidence," Kammerer said.
New Glarus received a No. 5 seed and will play at Highway 69 and conference rival Belleville. The Knights behind senior hitter Ashley Gould split two matches with the Wildcats this year. Now, the Glarner Knights are prepared to win the rubber match.
"I always stress with our team we can't get cocky and we can't be satisfied," New Glarus coach Kelsey Schmit said. "Any team can beat anyone on any given night depending on how much they prepare. We know it will be a toss-up again."
Division 4
Monticello (16-2) received a No. 1 regional seed in the Hilbert sectional despite being in the same regional as Catholic Central, which is ranked No. 5 in the state. The Ponies received a first-round bye, but will play the winner of Juda and Faith Christian Thursday in the regional semifinals. If Monticello wins that match, the Ponies would get a shot at Catholic Central in a regional title match on their home court Saturday.
Catholic Central has qualified for state in six of the last eight years and won five state championships in that span including three straight titles 2010-2012. The last time a team from the Six Rivers East Conference made it to state was when Potosi made a run in 2002.
"Come tournament time it could be one and done," Monticello coach Scott Smice said.
Monticello has been plagued by ankle injuries. Monticello senior Brooke Bidlingmaier missed most of the season after suffering a sprained ankle the second day of practice. Seniors Mackenzie Zanow and Brecklyn Klosterman have been the recent sprained ankle casualties.
"Sprained ankles have been a thorn in my side this year," Smice said. "Brecklyn will probably be out for the regionals."
Black Hawk received a No. 6 seed and will play at No. 3 seed Williams Bay. The Warriors lost senior setter Alexis Warrell to a broken ankle and that has been a big blow.
Albany received a No. 7 seed and will play at No. 2 seed Catholic Central.
Pecatonica received a No. 8 seed in the Luther sectional and will play at No. 1 seed Southwestern, which is ranked No. 7. Argyle received a No. 3 seed and will host No. 6 seed Barneveld. Both teams are familiar with each other since they are conference rivals. The Orioles swept two matches from the Eagles this year.
"It's going to be a tough match," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "Barneveld is a strong team. It's definitely hard to beat a team three times in a row, so we're going to have to work extra hard and be prepared for it."
Monroe (8-27) embraces playing the underdog role as they open a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal at No. 1 seed Edgerton tonight. The Cheesemakers are looking forward to getting off to a fast start.
"They will come in with a positive attitude and a will to win," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "They will give it everything they have and leave it all out on the court. This is a great experience to carry them on in their volleyball career."
The Cheesemakers have been playing without sophomore middle hitter Alicia Kuester, who dislocated her thumb and is out for the season. Monroe senior Maggy Johnson has stepped up as a middle hitter. If the Cheesemakers pull off a shocker and upset the Crimson Tide, the blueprint is established.
"They know if we don't make a good pass to the setter we won't be able to do what we do with the ball," Witt said. "Our passing has to be on point."
Witt is confident that the schedule the Cheesemakers have played has prepared them for the tense moments in the tournament.
"Our conference schedule the whole season has been tough," Witt said. "They have showed improvement since the beginning of the season. We always peak at the end of the year."
Division 3
Brodhead (24-7) will look to make a second straight state tournament run. The Cardinals received a No. 2 seed and have a first-round regional bye today. Brodhead will play the winner of Darlington and Orfordville Parkview Thursday in a regional semifinal.
Will the Cardinals make a state tournament run?
"That is a hard call," Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer said. "Tournament play is do or die."
One potential stumbling block for the Cardinals is Cuba City, ranked No. 8 in the WisSports.net Coaches poll. If the Cardinals win Thursday, they would likely face unbeaten Cuba City (16-0) in a regional championship showdown Saturday.
"We are focusing on our first regional match," Kammerer said. "We want to be playing for the regional championship in Cuba City on Saturday."
Brodhead juniors Kylie Moe and Amber Pickel each are averaging nine to 10 kills per match.
"We rely on them to put the ball away," Kammerer said. "There are a lot of things that have to happen before that. We are focusing on our passing first."
The Cardinals have made some adjustments this year switching Pickel to middle hitter and moving senior Brooke Boegli to the right side hitting position.
"I'm hoping that experience from state last year can give them confidence," Kammerer said.
New Glarus received a No. 5 seed and will play at Highway 69 and conference rival Belleville. The Knights behind senior hitter Ashley Gould split two matches with the Wildcats this year. Now, the Glarner Knights are prepared to win the rubber match.
"I always stress with our team we can't get cocky and we can't be satisfied," New Glarus coach Kelsey Schmit said. "Any team can beat anyone on any given night depending on how much they prepare. We know it will be a toss-up again."
Division 4
Monticello (16-2) received a No. 1 regional seed in the Hilbert sectional despite being in the same regional as Catholic Central, which is ranked No. 5 in the state. The Ponies received a first-round bye, but will play the winner of Juda and Faith Christian Thursday in the regional semifinals. If Monticello wins that match, the Ponies would get a shot at Catholic Central in a regional title match on their home court Saturday.
Catholic Central has qualified for state in six of the last eight years and won five state championships in that span including three straight titles 2010-2012. The last time a team from the Six Rivers East Conference made it to state was when Potosi made a run in 2002.
"Come tournament time it could be one and done," Monticello coach Scott Smice said.
Monticello has been plagued by ankle injuries. Monticello senior Brooke Bidlingmaier missed most of the season after suffering a sprained ankle the second day of practice. Seniors Mackenzie Zanow and Brecklyn Klosterman have been the recent sprained ankle casualties.
"Sprained ankles have been a thorn in my side this year," Smice said. "Brecklyn will probably be out for the regionals."
Black Hawk received a No. 6 seed and will play at No. 3 seed Williams Bay. The Warriors lost senior setter Alexis Warrell to a broken ankle and that has been a big blow.
Albany received a No. 7 seed and will play at No. 2 seed Catholic Central.
Pecatonica received a No. 8 seed in the Luther sectional and will play at No. 1 seed Southwestern, which is ranked No. 7. Argyle received a No. 3 seed and will host No. 6 seed Barneveld. Both teams are familiar with each other since they are conference rivals. The Orioles swept two matches from the Eagles this year.
"It's going to be a tough match," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "Barneveld is a strong team. It's definitely hard to beat a team three times in a row, so we're going to have to work extra hard and be prepared for it."
