Thompson
at a glance
Record: 29-12, Region 2 champion.
Coach: Lisa Strand.
State tournament history: Thompson is making its fourth state tournament appearance in the past five seasons. The Tommies have qualified for nine state tournaments, winning four state titles (1997-98 and 2004-05).
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Starting lineup: Sr. S Brooke Waxvik (497 assists, 114 digs, 24 service aces), jr. MH Laura Schumacher (177 kills, 92 blocks, 27 service aces), fr. MH Whitney Sponsler (67 kills, 47 blocks), jr. OH Jessie Weber (298 kills, 336 digs, 48 service aces), sr. OH Brittany Reineke (342 kills, 289 digs, 43 service aces), jr. S/RH Nicki Schumacher (423 assists, 118 kills, 168 digs, 50 service aces), soph. libero Samantha Brorby (174 digs).
Other rotation regulars: Sr. Kylie Herland (184 digs), sr. Michon Kysilka (104 kills), sr. Gemma Schmitz.
Noteworthy: Reineke was a starting outside hitter on Thompson's 2005 state championship team. . . . Strand is in her 19th season as coach and has more than 560 career wins. . . . Thompson has won 11 straight matches and 14 of its last 15 after a 15-11 start.
Coach Strand says: "We have some power hitters. But we also have smart hitters. They see the floor and take what defenses give up. They'll hit, tip or find open areas on the floor. We have to be smart to hit around teams with big blockers. This is the scrappiest group I've had."
