ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL: Ketterhagen takes the cake

 Spieker, Wilks, Taylor lead repeat performers

 

It started last year on a wish and a prayer.

The Southern Lakes Newspapers, or SLN, or even Western Racine County All-Area Volleyball team was born, and my goal from the start was to be different.

This is the only awards team you will find that combines boys and girls volleyball players. There is no sexism here, just a quest for the absolute best volleyball players money can buy from Burlington, Catholic Central, Waterford and Union Grove high schools.

Last year’s inaugural team had a boy, Nolan Rueter, take the top spot.

This year, it came down to Burlington’s Josh Ketterhagen and Quinn Spieker along with Kylie Wilks.

Wilks, a UWM recruit who is probably the best all-around player the area has seen in some time, helped lead the Broncos to another sectional final.

Spieker spiked her way to the all-Racine County player of the year award and a Division 1 college commitment to play at North Carolina State.

Spieker and the Demons advanced to a state semifinal but lost in five games after being ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin all season.

Ketterhagen overcame injury and led the Demons to their fifth state tournament appearance in school history.

A team full of inexperience that many thought had no chance of reaching state with a brand new coach and the loss of Nolan Rueter and setter Jake DeRosier was a juggernaut at the end of the season.

Ketterhagen was the biggest reason why Burlington was a game away from the state championship game.

Just to be clear, I took some suggestions from coaches but this baby is all mine.

I gathered stats from all six area volleyball teams and used the good, old-fashioned eye test to determine who is the best of the best.

So sit back, grab a bite to eat and warm beverage in these chilly temperatures and enjoy one of our last memories of a wonderful fall season.

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Josh Ketterhagen, senior, Burlington

This one wasn’t easy. It was pretty much neck-and-neck with Wilks and Spieker.

After hours of critical thinking and interviews with numerous anonymous volleyball gurus, it went to the 6-foot-3 kid that could jump out of the gym.

Ketterhagen gets the nod because he single-handedly put the Demons on his back in the last month of the season and said, “We’re going to state, who’s coming with me?”

His stellar play led to nine straight postseason game wins before Burlington advanced to the state tournament.

The team with the new coach that wasn’t supposed to finish above .500 rose to the challenge and went 17-12 and won a state tournament match, only the third in school history, and proved all the doubters wrong.

Down 2-0 against favored and seeded Middleton at state, Ketterhagen became a hitting machine and finished with 28 kills to lead his team to a 3-2 comeback victory.

The season began with the team’s top players missing the first few games due to suspension, and it got worse from there.

Ketterhagen missed a tournament and a conference game due to an abdominal injury.

But his return sparked a 10-3 record to close the season. Ketterhagen, who will attend either the University of Wisconsin or Minnesota, led the team in kills and averaged a mind-boggling 5.05 kills per game, best in the area just ahead of Spieker (4.6).

He totaled 417 kills on the season, second-best in the area.

Ketterhagen was also one of the best coach Kayla Uhlenhake has seen at serve-receive, as he scored a 2.61 on her 3-point scale.

Uhlenhake said Ketterhagen’s ability to lead the team and make others around him better separates him from the pack.

“Josh is the most overlooked player in the state,” Uhlenhake said. “He is one of the best outsides in the state. He carried the team on his back all the way to state, and we were one of the four best teams after not being ranked all year.”

It’s important to note Uhlenhake didn’t even join her team until two weeks before the season started. The team was in disarray and really didn’t develop chemistry until October.

“He has great skills and is one of the smartest volleyball players I’ve seen,” Uhlenhake said of Ketterhagen. “He was a key player in our run to the state tournament.”

Ketterhagen was a first team all-Southeast Conference selection this year and made second team as a junior.

 

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kayla Uhlenhake, Burlington boys volleyball

In her first year coaching high school volleyball, the friendly, happy-go-lucky 22-year-old Uhlenhake led her squad to the promised land after a rough 2-4-1.

Uhlenhake managed to keep egos in check, help out inexperienced players and unite everyone after off-the-court issues hampered the first week of the regular season.

She implemented a new offense and filled in for boys volleyball coaching icon Tim Gesteland nicely.

Also, players told me Kayla was like a friend to them and did a good job relating to them.

This camaraderie helped Burlington earn a big victory at state and keep the program’s rich history alive.

Uhlenhake’s ability to communicate and passion for the sport resonates with everyone she interacts with.

Don’t be surprised if Uhlenhake keeps the Demons at the top of the state for years to come.

 

ALL-AREA TEAM

Quinn Spieker, junior, Burlington

The Division 1 North Carolina State recruit enjoyed a big season as the front-running Demons were ranked No. 1 or 2 in the state all season long.

Burlington made it all the way to the Division 1 state semifinals before losing in five games to Muskego. The 6-foot-2 junior was off in against the Warriors, but her work ethic, determination and resiliency will no doubt have the Demons back in the title hunt in 2015.

Recently named the all-Racine County player of the year, Spieker earned first team all-state and all-conference honors.

Her best ball rivals anyone in the state, and she amassed 496 kills on the season with a team-best 32-percent hitting percentage. Along with leading the team in kills, the physically dominant Spieker also was second in digs with 278.

“Quinn has the ability to affect the game from anywhere on the court,” Burlington girls coach Teri Leach said. “She is a complete six-rotation outside hitter, capable of passing, defending, attacking or blocking with the best of the best.”

Along with her volleyball skills, Spieker is a passionate, driven young woman who lights up a room with her magnetic personality.

She is the early favorite for next year’s player of the year award.

Kylie Wilks, junior, Union Grove

Another player of the year candidate in 2015 proved it doesn’t take height to do everything well on a volleyball court.

The 5-foot-7 dynamo was moved from setter to outside this fall, and the move paid off for the 37-8 Broncos.

Wilks led the team in kills (351), digs (375), aces (86) and added 73 blocks.

For her efforts, she earned third team all-state and SLC conference player of the year.

Wilks was first team all-Racine County as well.

She will play Division 1 college volleyball on a full ride to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“Pound for pound, she is one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen in my life,” said coach Sarah Busalacchi. “There is a fire within her, and no matter the score she does not quit.”

Wilks showed that fire in the sectional final. Down 2-0 to Muskego, Wilks led the Lady Broncos back to 2-2 before falling, 15-11, in game five.

Wilks could’ve very easily been named first team all-state. She is undoubtedly one of the state’s best players, and she will only get better as a senior.

Ali Rueter, junior, Burlington

Another all-around volleyball marvel, Rueter did it all for the Demons in 2014.

Rueter, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter skied high above the net for kills and never gave up on a play.

She can do it all on the floor, as she was second on the Demons in kills (271) and assists (208) and fourth in digs (160).

Her strong all-around play helped Burlington finish 42-4 and win the Sprawl tournament and the SLC title.

Along with Spieker, Rueter will form a dynamic hitting duo next season.

Rueter earned all-state, all-county and all-conference honors.

“Ali is a do-all player,” Leach said. “She is such an imposing presence in our offense whether as the setter delivering the ball or attacker racking up kills.”

Savannah Kohlhagen, senior, Union Grove

The area’s third D1 recruit (committed to Western Carolina), Kohlhagen is a tall, athletic presence at the net.

“Savannah has earned her full ride,” Busalacchi said. “She works very hard and is a fun girl to be around.”

Kohlhagen’s list of accolades rivals the area’s best, including first team all-county and all-conference along with honorable mention all-state.

She was second on the team and fifth in the area in kills (347), recorded 319 digs and added 39 aces.

 

Teagan Taylor, senior, Burlington

The best libero in the area, Taylor recently signed to play D1 volleyball at UWM.

Taylor overcame a serious injury in time to have a huge senior season for the Demons and was a leader on and off the court.

The defensive talent could track down just about any ball, as evidenced by her area-leading 424 digs.

Taylor also led the Demons in passing average at 2.27.

An all-state selection, Taylor was the team’s rock in the back row.

“Teagan was one of the best liberos in the state this season,” Leach said. “Her consistency in the back row, paired with her incredible work ethic, leadership, and competitiveness make her hard to beat.”

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Phoebe Hozeska, junior, Burlington

The magnificent middle blocking of Hozeska kept opponents out of the middle of the net.

If opponents dared challenge the talented Hozeska, their kill attempt were often thwarted with a vengeance.

“Phoebe is one of the best blockers I’ve seen play the game,” Leach said. “Her speed and athleticism make it hard for offenses to get the ball past her.”

Hozeska led the Demons with 106 blocks and was third on the team with 160 kills.

For her outstanding play in the middle, Hozeska was a third team all-state pick.

 

Mia Grunze, outside hitter, Waterford

The area leader in hitting percentage with a .531 clip, Waterford freshman Mia Grunze emerged as a star immediately for the Lady Wolverines.

The 6-foot-2 talent has an untouchable best ball and was the go-to girl when Waterford needed a point.

She was third in the area with 379 kills and added 342 digs, good for second in the area.

Grunze also had 54 blocks, 45 aces and served at a 92-percent clip.

“Mia was key to our success this season, starting all 38 matches and playing all the way around,” said Waterford first-year coach Ashley Ingish. “She was our go-to hitter in the front row and was also a great outlet for a swing when she was in the back row.

“Although she is only a freshman, her knowledge of the game and experience playing volleyball at a high level year-round really helped advance our team’s play to the next level.”

Grunze, an honorable mention all-state pick, is sure to dominate the SLC even more next season.

 

Grant Beck, senior, Union Grove boys

It was an exciting time for the Union Grove boys volleyball team.

The Broncos were allowed a full varsity season after playing a junior varsity schedule in 2013.

Coach Dan Dresen’s bunch was only 5-17, but the foundation was laid for a successful program.

The unquestionable leader for the Broncos’ inaugural varsity campaign was the super athlete Beck.

A team captain, the senior outside hitter had 186 kills and had a .302 hitting percentage.

“He led our team on and off the court and was a great role model for some of our younger players,” Dresen said of Beck. “His hitting percentage was really good for a go-to hitter who sees a lot of sets in tough situations.”

 

Robyn Robers, senior, Burlington

The defensive specialist brought a savvy and knowledge to the game that rivals anyone in the state.

Robers hung tough on very difficult hits and had the hustle to track down balls and cover ground.

She led the Demons in aces with 52 and was second in serve percentage at 94.1.

“Robyn helped solidify our back row and passing game,” Leach said. “She was equally important on serve-receive and defense and helped to make sure our offense was in system from the very first contact.”

 

Abby Tweet, senior, Catholic Central

A four-year letter winner for the Toppers, Tweet was a first team all-conferenence outside hitter and second team all-county.

She notched 220 kills, 56 aces and 340 digs.

Tweet helped lead the Lady Toppers to a Division 4 sectional final.

“Abby was truly our on-court offensive and defensive leader this past season,” said coach Mae-Mae Oberhofer. “She contributed to the team in all aspects of the game. After being a role player the past few seasons, it was really nice to see Abby step up and be our team leader.”

 

Reba Thomsen, junior, Burlington

The quarterback on the court, Thomsen was the setter for dynamic hitters like Spieker and Rueter.

And in her first year playing major minutes for the Demons, Thomsen came through with an astonishing 758 assists. She added 34 aces.

Thomsen, along with a host of Demon talent like Spieker, Rueter, Hozeska, Tay Lewis and Alyssa Turzenski, figure to dominate the state again next fall.

“She plays with an infectious passion that helps get teammates around her going,” Leach said of Thomsen.