Division 3 State Volleyball Preview
posted by Jay Messar at 11/3/2009
Division 3 boasts three teams with seven losses or fewer and an overall winning percentage of .862. Those same three were undefeated league champions and are ranked in the top ten in the state. These semifinal games will be played simultaneously at 1 p.m. Friday. Here is a breakdown of those matchups.
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Auburndale (39-7, 7-0 Marawood South) vs. Cuba City (34-3, 12-0 Southwest Activities) Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Auburndale- #8/HM; Cuba City- #2/#2
Matchup: Auburndale boasts the most tallied kills in Division 3 overall with 1084, yet only have one player, Middle Hitter Lindsay Gotz, who averages more than two kills per game (2.2). Junior Setter Kayleigh Kundinger who averages 7.5 assists per set, moves the ball well with four others averaging at least one kill per set. Senior Libero Reba Berger has a knack for the ball, averaging six digs per set. The Apaches as a team dig about 18 attacks per set, also tops in D3. Cuba City is arguably the most well-rounded team in the Division 3 field with good height at the net and stellar defense in the back row. The Cubans are led by a pair of 5'11" Middles in Emily Kaiser and Katie Langmeier, who tally 2.5 and 2.3 kills per set. The Cubans knocked off defending champ Wisconsin Heights in the sectional final in sweeping fashion.
Outlook: Cuba City is good--really good. Before a surprising loss to Oregon in mid October, the Cubans haven't lost a match since opening weekend. The Cubans' consistency and balance will be tough for Auburndale to overcome. The Apache defense must frustrate Cuban hitters--mainly their middles-- and take advantage of long rallies.
Prediction: Cuba City 3, Auburndale 0
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Grantsburg (34-1, 10-0 Lakeland West) vs. Laconia (31-11, 5-2 Wisconsin Flyway) Rankings (WSN/WVCA): Grantsburg- #1/#1; Laconia- NR/NR
Matchup: Grantsburg won its 21st consecutive conference title, 16th consecutive regional title and 10th sectional title since 1989. With tradition already on its side, Grantsburg returned all seven starters from last year's state-runner up team. Led by junior Kortney Morrin and senior Annie Palmquist's 3.7 and 3.5 kills per set, the Pirates boast the best hitting percentage (.374) in the Division 3 field. While on paper it may look a bit lopsided, don't count out Laconia, who has seen its fair share of state matches. The Spartans have earned a berth in the state semifinals six times, its last in 2006. Laconia's Becca Volmer, Anna Smit and Alyssa Zickert all average over two kills per set. Zickert, a junior Middle, also earned 65 total blocks this season. The Spartans pulled off two sectional upsets to reach the Resch, in the semis over #3 Oostburg and in the finals against a tough Shoreland Lutheran squad.
Outlook: Laconia will need to ride the wave of momentum into its game against Grantsburg, as the Pirates have a lot of offensive firepower. The Spartan block has got to be big, and Laconia must take advantage of any Grantsburg mistake as they might not come often. The Pirates were tested in a sectional semifinal against archrival Washburn, but are on a mission to earn their first title since 2001.
Prediction: Grantsburg 3, Laconia 0
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