Raebel, senior should lead Waterford

By Jennifer Eisenbart
SPORTS EDITOR
While the Waterford Union High School volleyball roster will feature a number of seniors this year, it will also be a young squad.
Gone are a number of players from last year’s team, which assistant coach Christina Hoppe acknowledged.
“Some positions aren’t set yet,” said Hoppe, an assistant under head coach Suzanne Milanovich. “We’re still looking for people to step up.”
The Wolverines do return three starters: senior setter Elyssa Hochevar and middle hitter Kelsey Perkins, as well as junior middle Bekah Raebel.
Raebel led the team on offense last year, and will likely do the same this season.
“Bekah is definitely kind of the go-to girl,” said Hoppe. “Girls are kind of looking to her as a leader.”
Other returnees include sophomore outside hitter Madison Blair, senior outside hitter Jaycie Chart, senior middle Lexi Revolinski and senior defensive specialist Breanna Huening.
Huening, fellow senior Lily Pittelkow and junior Kaylee Fry will all be in contention for the libero position.
Rounding out the roster is junior middle Lauren Kling, senior outside Holly Neubauer and senior middle Kelly Strasser.
Right now, Hoppe said the goal is to get the team playing together.
“We’re looking at getting girls more time together,” she said.
The Wolverines opened their season Tuesday at the Racine Lutheran quad.
Waterford beat Living Word Lutheran and Kenosha Christian Life, but lost to Union Grove and Racine Lutheran.
Hochevar finished the night with 73 assists, and Raebel had 38 kills. Maddie Blair added eight kills.
Raebel led with 12 digs, and Hochevar and Neubauer both had three aces. Kelly Strasser pitched in six solo blocks.