Area high school volleyball preview: Teams set to ramp up conference schedules this week

Area high school volleyball teams will be diving into their respective conference schedules this week after a few weeks of warm-up tournaments and nonconference duals.

Marshfield opened its Wisconsin Valley Conference schedule with a victory Aug. 30 against Wisconsin Rapids, but the other four local teams will open conference play this week.

Stratford plays at Wisconsin Rapids Assumption and Auburndale hosts Wausau Newman Catholic in Marawood Conference South Division openers Tuesday, while Columbus Catholic hosts Loyal and Spencer is at Owen-Withee in Cloverbelt Conference East Division openers Thursday.

Stratford will also travel to Marshfield for an intriguing nonconference dual on Thursday.

Here are a brief look at each of the five area teams:

STRATFORD TIGERS
Coach: Brooke Kafka, eighth year, 177-91 record.
Returning players: Mazie Nagel, sr., left outside hitter; Jadyn Dahlke, sr., setter; Brooke Peterson, sr., setter; Blaire Lindner, sr., left outside hitter; Callie Lehman, sr., middle hitter.
Top newcomers: Lauryn Nagel, so., middle hitter; Makenna Krall, jr., Libero.
Overview: Stratford is coming off its first-ever WIAA state tournament appearance, where it lost a Division 3 semifinal in five sets to Eau Claire Regis, and a Marawood South championship. Mazie Nagel and Dahlke were unanimous first-team all-conference performers and are back to try to lead the Tigers to even more success. “I expect another great season,” Kafka said. “We have a very strong senior class that I know will lead us into another successful season of volleyball. The Tigers are a very well rounded team – we have offensive threats coming in from all angles and a strong defense to back them up. We are looking forward the journey ahead.”

MARSHFIELD TIGERS
Coach: Dawn Sadowska, 28th year, 707-290 record.
Returning players: Karly Nikolai, sr., outside hitter; Madison Nelles, sr., middle hitter; Alexis Schnitzler, sr., defensive specialist; Kaydee Johnson, jr., libero; Lindsey Steffen, jr., outside hitter; Kati Sadowska, sr., defensive specialist/outside hitter.
Top newcomers: Taylor Barwick, so., setter/right side hitter; Brooklyn Boushack, so., hitter; Alani Carter, so., outside hitter; Bailey Matis, jr., setter; Hannah Kelnhofer, jr., defensive specialist; Makenzie Frankland, jr., right outside hitter.
Overview: The Tigers have struggled to earn much in the win column thus far, playing tough competition at a number of early-season tournaments. However, Marshfield returns some experience, but will rely on a lot of newcomers. Nonetheless, Sadowska expects Marshfield to be competitive in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. “I always expect Marshfield to be competitive in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, and this year is no different. We have some young, inexperienced players in some important roles this season, and their development as the season progresses will be key. We are playing very aggressively in practice and if this continues, we should be successful. Karly Nikolai has been a varsity starter since her sophomore year. Her leadership in the offseason and her varsity experience make her a player we will be looking to do some great things this season.”

COLUMBUS CATHOLIC DONS
Coach: Kat Egle, sixth year, 88-75 record.
Returning players: Maren Seefluth, sr., outside hitter; Brooke Neider, sr., setter; Annie Baierl, sr., libero; Kate Turchi, sr., outside hitter; Jess Jakopin, jr., middle blocker; Kenzie Hansen, sr., middle blocker; Katie Hall, sr., right side hitter.
Top newcomers: Maria Taylor, jr., outside hitter; Dorci Walker, fr., middle/outside.
Overview: The Dons won the Cloverbelt Conference East Division title with a perfect 7-0 record, losing only one set during the conference season, and reached the Division 4 sectional semifinals before falling to Wausau Newman Catholic. Columbus did all of that without a senior on its roster. With all of their key components returning, including first-team all-Cloverbelt East performers Seefluth and Neider, expectations are high in 2018. “Our goal this year is to improve from last year,” Egle said. “We had a great season last year, and the girls want to make it farther. We learned from our mistakes last year and the team is working hard physically and mentally. The commitment these girls put in is phenomenal. They were in the gym every morning at 6 a.m. working on strength and conditioning, they played leagues and had open gyms all summer. They are faster, stronger, and more mentally tough this year.
This year we will adding two big hitters into our rotation. They will be the strength that we need to give our team to rest. Last year we had five great hitters and this year we have seven. I have a resourceful coaching staff too that I can rely on to help our team and to build our program. We coaches work together in making a successful program.”
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SPENCER ROCKETS
Coach: Kayleigh Rogney, first year.
Returning players: Lindsey Loos, sr., hitter; Shelbi Hoefs, sr., hitter; Chloe Drews, sr., hitter; Shaelee Neitzel, sr., hitter; Carsee Neitzel, jr., libero; Hannah Zastrow, jr., hitter; Taylor Hall, jr., setter; Elexa Post, so., defensive specialist.
Top newcomers: Zalexis Mannigel, so., setter; Heavyn Kind, fr., hitter.
Overview: Following five-straight Cloverbelt East titles, Spencer slipped to 4-3 in the conference a year ago and lost a Division 3 regional quarterfinal to Auburndale. Rogney takes over the program from long-time coach Rob Heller. “We’re trying some new things and keeping an open mindset at practice as well as during competition,” Rogney said. “We expect a high level of commitment from everyone involved with Spencer Volleyball, and to maintain a positive image that reflects highly of the program, as well as the school. We seek athletes who want to put in the time and work necessary to be the best player and person they can be.”
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AUBURNDALE APACHES
Coach: Peggy Empey, 18th year, 472-144 record.
Returning players: Mackenzie Raab, sr., setter/opposite position player; Teryn Lau, sr., outside hitter; Alexis Soppe, sr., middle hitter; Marissa Ponshock, sr., outside hitter; Marissa Spatz, sr., middle hitter; Maggie Willfahrt, jr., libero; Isabelle Hilber, jr., outside position player.
Top newcomers: Natalie Aue, jr., outside hitter; Brionna Haasl, jr., outside hitter; Katie Helminiak, jr., outside hitter; Georgi Schumtzer, so., setter.
Overview: The Apaches return a strong group of players a year after finishing 4-7 in the Marawood South and losing in the second round of the playoffs in five sets to Stevens Point Pacelli. Raab, a second-team all-conference performer, returns after leading Auburndale in assists and also provided stellar defense throughout the season. Auburndale has had a strong start to the season, finishing 6-1 at a grueling Green Bay East Tournament and going a perfect 3-0 at the Greenwood Quad last week. “We have a strong core group returning this season, with a great group of newcomers,” Empey said. “Everyone is working extremely hard and staying very focused. We expect to be strong this season in all areas.”