Six spikers on all-SCC
By Jim den Hollander
The South Central Conference Champion Wisconsin Dells High School varsity volleyball team was well represented on the all-SCC teams with six members making the squad, including the Player of the Year. Senior Tess Myklebust was one of two unanimous first team all-Conference selections, joined by Katie Raymond of Westfield at the outside hitter position. Myklebust, a leader both on the floor and in the huddle, was also a unanimous selection as the conference’s Player of the Year. In all, six players were named to both the first and second all-Conference team, another six earning honorable mention. The Chiefs placed two members on each team. Junior middle hitter Heather Conroy was on the first team along with Myklebust while senior setter Tricia Gussel and senior middle Katie Piekarski made second team. Senior setter, Kristin Oines and junior libero Carley Heller earned honorable mention. Heading into the season, head coach Cyndy Collins said she didn’t think there would be any easy matches and she was proven correct, as all six varsity squads represented in the all-Conference selections. The Chiefs’ biggest rival on the season and the only team to defeat the locals in two conference seasons, the Wautoma Hornets were represented with one first team selection and two more on the second team. After that, the conference’s parity was evident with Adams-Friendship and Westfield tying for third overall while Mauston and Nekoosa tied for fifth. While the Dells placed four onto the first teams and received votes for six players, Westfield had one on first team and two others on the honorable mention, Adams-Friendship had one on first team, Mauston had one on first time and Nekoosa placed two on second team and two more in honorable mention. Top two Tess Myklebust and Katie Raymond were the top players on the floor this past season and both will likely be first team all conference again when basketball season ends in March. Myklebust was frequently among the leaders in several categories, both defensive and offensive for the Chiefs. For example, in one match, she led the way in both spike kills and digs for the Chiefs. Raymond was likely the hardest hitter in the conference and a dangerous player that was usually the center of attention for her conference opponents. Conroy too was a force at the middle hitter position. Playing her second season of varsity, Conroy seldom came off the floor. She was a powerful force at the net both with the big hit and also as an effective blocker. For Gussel, tops among setters (there was no setter on first team), the season brought some satisfaction as she was forced to sit out most of the basketball and volleyball season’s last year with a knee injury. Gussel and Oines actually had a great on court relationship and took turns leading the team in assists. Oines was also a big hitter when called upon and both were effective from the service line as well. Katie Piekarski, another solid senior was a soft spoken rock in the middle for the Chiefs. A smart net player who blocked well and always seemed able to see the openings on offense as well. Carley Heller played among the toughest positions and was the lone libero/defensive specialist chosen to the all-conference squads. Heller had some of her biggest defensive matches when the team needed her against conference rivals. The return of both Heller and Conroy gives the Chiefs a leg up on the competition next season when the locals look for a fourth conference title in five seasons. Several team members are moving on to basketball and track and looking to continue a string of conference titles now going back three years. South Central
all-Conference Volleyball 2009
*Tess *Katie Raymond (OH) Westfield Kathryn Griffin (MH) Adams-Friendship Heather Conroy (MH) Wisconsin Dells Shelby Gustke (LH) Wautoma Taylor Dahlgren (MB) Mauston Second Team Tricia Gussel (S) Wisconsin Dells Ali Ratajczak (MH) Wautoma Brooke Koechell (LH) Wautoma Renee DeMars (MH) Nekoosa Jazmin Soto (LH) Nekoosa Katie Piekarski (MH) Wisconsin Dells Honorable Mention Kristin Oines (S) Wisconsin Dells Bre Heinen (S) Nekoosa Carley Heller (Libero) Wisconsin Dells Meghan Thomas (MH) Westfield Michelle Mack (S) Westfield Kristin Wills (MH) Nekoosa Player of the Year – Tess Myklebust * denotes - unanimous selection Note - See Wednesday edition of the Events for SCC Football all-Conference lists and story.