STATE BOYS VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

TOURNEY SCHEDULE

Friday-Saturday

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Quarterfinals - Friday

Match 1: Germantown (14-5) vs. Wauwatosa East (27-10), 5 p.m.

Match 2:Catholic Memorial (29-3) vs. Marquette (43-4), 5 p.m.

Match 3: Kaukauna (35-6) vs. Muskego (23-12), 7:30 p.m.

Match 4: Westosha Central (25-13) vs. Racine Horlick (16-14), 7:30 p.m.

Semifinals - Saturday, noon

Match 5: Winners of Friday's 5 p.m. matches

Match 6: Winners of Friday's 7:30 p.m. matches

Championship Match - 5:30 p.m.

Match 7: Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6

TOURNEY FACTS

HISTORY: The tournament resumed in 2000 after an 18-year hiatus. The WIAA did not sponsor a championship in boys volleyball from 1983 until 1999 because of the low participation. The initial boys tournament began in 1947 with Madison West winning the first state title. Waukesha, before the high school split into multiple schools, enjoyed an impressive string of success in the 1950s. It won nine championships and finished runner-up three times from 1950 through 1961. Included in that run were five straight championships from 1957 to 1961. Kaukauna also has had a history of success, winning eight state championships, including the first tournament held in the fall. In addition, the Galloping Ghosts have finished runner-up three times. Other multiple champions are Marquette with five titles, and Wisconsin High School of Madison and West Allis Hale with three titles. Antigo, Waukesha Catholic Memorial, Madison Central and Whitefish Bay each have won two titles.

LAST YEAR: Catholic Memorial captured its second state title by defeating Marquette in the championship match, 25-20, 25-22, 25-15.

ABOUT THE FIELD: Defending champion Catholic Memorial qualifies for the eighth time. The Crusaders have now won two titles, the first coming in 2000. In addition, they have finished runner-up four times (2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007). They return to the tournament field in defense of their crown by defeating Kettle Moraine in the sectional final, 25-22, 25-20, 25-19. Last year's runner-up, Marquette, returns to the state tournament for the 10th straight year, which accounts for the Hilltoppers' overall total. They have won five titles, capturing the gold in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. They return to the tournament after sweeping Pius XI in the sectional final, 25-15, 26-24, 25-11. Kaukauna is making its 18th tournament appearance, which is the most of any existing member school. The Galloping Ghosts also have won the most titles of any existing school with eight. In addition, they placed runner-up in 1967, 1974 and 1976. They defeated Appleton North in the sectional final, 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, to advance into the final field of eight. Wauwatosa East makes its seventh overall appearance and its sixth in a row. The Red Raiders won the championship in 2006. They earned the opportunity to contend for the state title this season by defeating Shorewood in the sectional final, 27-25, 19-25, 25-15, 30-28. Westosha Central is back in the state quarterfinals after making its first-ever appearance last season. The Falcons advanced to the semifinals last year before being eliminated from title contention. They defeated Burlington in sectionals, 25-23, 15-25, 25-16, 25-19, to secure their return trip to State. Racine Horlick qualifies for the state tournament for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2008 and 2009. The Rebels won the state championship in 2003 and have advanced to the semifinals on two other occasions. They outlasted Greendale in sectionals, 13-25, 25-14, 23-25, 25-19, 17-15, to remain one of eight teams still in contention for the title. Germantown will experience the state tournament for the first time by virtue of its five-set (22-25, 25-22, 16-25, 26-24, 15-12) sectional triumph over Nicolet. Muskego is also a first-time qualifier. The Warriors seized the opportunity to challenge for the state title by defeating New Berlin Eisenhower/West in five sets, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-13, in the sectional final.

GERMANTOWN

Record: 14-5

Conference: North Shore (co-champs with Nicolet, 5-1)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Matt Schultz (213), Zak Showalter (182), Jon Averkamp (165), Luke Fischer (164)

Assists: Jake Showalter (661), Jacob Reynolds (53)

Digs: Corey Petta (228), Sam Green (97), Schultz (93)

Aces: Zak Showalter (23), Schultz (23)

Notes: Coach Brian Rushmer … enrollment: 1,450

WAUWATOSA EAST

Record: 27-10

Conference: Greater Metro (second, 4-1)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Max Kilpin (315), Ben Mihelich (212), Ben Plaisted (110), Zak Sylvester (102)

Assists: Sam Ingrilli (866)

Digs: Mihelich (154), Morgan Griffith (129), Ingrilli (115), Plaisted (103)

Aces: Mihelich (30), Ingrilli (22), Griffith (19)

Notes: Coach John Simon: Career record: 783-241 in 29 years, School record: 573-170 … captains: Kilpin, Ingrilli … enrollment: 1,197

CATHOLIC MEMORIAL

Record: 29-3

Conference: Classic 8 (first, 7-0)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Trevor Novotny (435), Eric Schmitz (181), Chandler North (149), Josh Hovie (148)

Assists: Tim Heyrman (915), Eric Heyrman (48)

Digs: Connor Braun (330), Novotny (164), Joe Kern (118)

Aces: Novotny (81), Braun (31), Schmitz (23)

Notes: Coach Mike Hanneman: Career: 12 years, at School: 11 years … captains: Novotny … enrollment: 746

MARQUETTE

Record: 43-4

Conference: Greater Metro Conference (first, 7-0)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Peter Hutz (188), Conrad Kaminski (157), AJ Mueller (143)

Assists: Michael Schneck (677), Hutz (200)

Digs: Keenan Fliss (132), Schneck (101), Greg Hohl (99)

Aces: Hutz (37), Sean Riley (35), Greg Mattern (29)

Notes: Coach Eric Sullivan … have won nine in a row … captains: Joe Bartoletti and Schneck … enrollment: 2,134

KAUKAUNA

Record: 35-6

Conference: Fox Valley Association (first, 8-0)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Alex Judkins (283), Chris Patterson (180), Tom Sturdivant (169), Jed Kosch (137)

Assists: Philip Uitenbroek (916)

Digs: Uitenbroek (120), Carter Belling (41), Sue Feng Vang (38)

Aces: Patterson (54), Brandon Schmidt (45), Judkins (45).

Notes: Coach Tom Belling: Career record (26-5, 1 year) … have won 11 of 12 … captains: Judkins … enrollment: 1,193

MUSKEGO

Record: 23-12

Conference: Southeast (fifth, 5-3)

Stats Leaders

Kills: David Mlachnik (176), Joey Bandoszeski (149), Sammy Pederson (103)

Assists: Tony Fugarino (515)

Digs: Nick Mantsch (128), Mlachnik (46)

Aces: Fugarino (56), Mlachnik (22)

Notes: Coach Joe Arbinger … has won three in a row … captains: Fugarino… enrollment: 1,705

WESTOSHA CENTRAL

Record: 25-13

Conference: Southern Lakes (fourth, 5-3)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Mike Michelau (378), Caleb Mobile (266), Regan Hess (146)

Assists: Brooks Gahart (690), Brent Larson (136)

Digs: Jake Stetson (264), Michelau (181), Mobile (140)

Aces: Mobile (43), Hess (41)

Notes: Coach Wayne Schultz … has won nine of 10 … enrollment: 1,184

RACINE HORLICK

Record: 16-14

Conference: Southeast (sixth)

Stats Leaders

Kills: Mitch Greiner (235), Ben Schultz (159)

Assists: Jacob McReynolds (581)

Digs: Schultz (107), Eric Shirley (87), Greiner (85)

Aces: Greiner (34), Schultz (27), McReynolds (20)

Notes: Coach Sam Firtko … enrollment: 2,046