By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Waterford Union High School girls volleyball team is not easing into the 2016 season.
The Wolverines are scrimmaging the Demons Saturday at Burlington. Burlington is one of the better programs in the state, and will challenge for a berth in the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament this season if history is an indicator of success.
The Wolverines proved their mettle last season with a deep playoff run. Waterford, seeded fourth in its sectional bracket, advanced to a sectional semifinal and lost 25-18, 25-11, 25-17 to No. 1- seeded Greendale Oct. 29 at West Allis Hale.
The Wolverines beat Franklin 25-13, 25-18, 25-13 Oct. 24 at home in the regional final and routed South Milwaukee 25-8, 25-6, 25-12 Oct. 22 at home in the regional semifinal.
Waterford finished 4-3 in Southern Lakes Conference matches last season. The Wolverines finished with an overall match record of 22-15.
The Wolverines finished fifth in the SLC Tournament Oct. 17 at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake. Burlington won the tournament and SLC title.
It is a testament to the SLC’s standing as a volleyball conference that Waterford advanced deep in the postseason after a fourth-place finish in SLC play.
“Despite losing some key contributors from last year’s team, including both of our setters, we have some key returners with excellent volleyball experience who will push the young newcomers to improve each and every day,” said coach Ashley Ingish, in her third season at Waterford. “Overall, we have a hard working group of girls, and it will be fun to see them improve over the course of the season.”
One of the better players in the nation – yes, the nation – plays for the Wolverines in senior outside hitter Mia Grunze. Grunze earned a spot as one of 12 players on the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team, which is sanctioned by USA Volleyball.
The team competed at the 2016 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from July 19-23, and will play in the NORCECA U18 Continental Championships Aug. 31 to Sept. 8 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. NORCECA is the North American, Central American and Caribbean volleyball federation.
Senior outside hitter Myah Kurhajec, junior middle hitter Ashley Hancock and junior right side hitter Gabi Ramczyk round-out Waterford’s returning letter winners, and with Grunze are the base on which the Wolverines will be built this season.
Sophomore Anna Shipley will play libero this season, which is a defensive specialist position, and is expected to contribute. Middle hitter/right side hitter sophomore Lexi Hill is also expected to be a factor.
“One thing I stress with my teams is ball control and fundamentals,” Ingish said. “I also stress being scrappy and having the mentality that we can chase down any ball.
“I think making those awesome saves that no one expects can give your team incredible confidence, and is something we can rally around.”
The SLC this season will likely be a four-team race between Burlington, Union Grove, Westosha Central and Waterford. The Wolverines play Central Sept. 13 at home and play Sept. 20 at Burlington and Oct. 11 at Union Grove.
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