Teamwork fuels Resorters’ successful season

ELKHART LAKE – Good teamwork played a key role in the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Resorters’ successful 2009-10 girls basketball season.

Elkhart finished 15-7 – the team’s most wins in six years – and advanced to the Division 4 regional finals (losing to Manitowoc Lutheran, 38-34).

“We met a lot of our goals this year. We had 15 wins – the most in a few years – and finished in the top half of the conference [fifth at 11-7]. We were very competitive,” said Resorter head coach Don Kulow.

“We would have liked to go much deeper in the tournament but that doesn't take away from the season we had and what we accomplished this year.”

Kulow said the other keys to the season were having great assistant coaches and the players buying into the system. His assistants were Kayla Groh-Bardon, Keith Knepfel and Heather Groh.

The head coach said the highlight of the season was the Resorters’ 57-44 Central Lakeshore Conference win over co-champion Ozaukee midway through the schedule.

“Our Ozaukee game had to be one of most complete games. The players really got after it on both ends of the floor,” he recalled.

“It was also our most complete team win. We had many players step up and that is would it takes to beat a very good team. In the same week, we played Oostburg very tough and had a lead at the half.”

Elkhart lost to Oostburg, 54-40. Oostburg was the CLC co-champion and Division 3 state runner-up.

Kulow commended the team’s two seniors, Kate Vollrath and Chelsea Watry, for their contributions to the program.

“Kate was a four-year varsity player who played every position in her four years. She is a very athletic individual,” Kulow observed. “We really leaned on her this year by moving her around.

“Chelsea really improved every year and was a key reserve for us. She works so hard at getting better and does the little things that people don’t notice. They are both going to be missed and I wish them the best of luck in the future.

“The juniors will be our leaders next year and with that brings new challenges. They are up to the challenge. The sophomores will have a new role on the team next year and will also be up to the challenge,” Kulow said.

“It was a fun year and a great group of players to be around.”

Kulow appreciated the work from his coaches and the fans’ support this past season.

“I have one of the best coaching staffs – individuals that know the game and played the game at the next level, and can relate to players very well,” he pointed out.

“We always have great fan support and this year was no exception – just outstanding.”

Elkhart has most of its players returning next season, including three starters, but Kulow emphasized working in the off-season to improve.

“What we do in the off-season to get better will be key. I have players who are committed, so we challenge them to be better,” he said.

“We will work this off-season to get better and come into next season and do the best we can, play as hard as we can, do what we can to help the team.”

Kulow mentioned the keys for the team improving on this past season.

“We need to keep working on the fundamentals. We need to get stronger and practice with a purpose in the off-season,” he stressed.

“It’s a fine line between the very good teams and the teams that want to take that next step. We are right on that line.”

AWARDS, FINAL STATS

Kate Vollrath, a forward, led the Resorters in scoring with a 10.4 points-per-game average and freethrow shooting at 71.4 percent (70 of 98).

Junior center Anna Vollrath paced the team in rebounding with a 6.5 average, blocked shots at 2.5 per contest and field-goal shooting, 50.5 percent.

Junior guard Stephanie Knepfel hit a team-high 22 three-point goals and was first in assists with a 2.3 average. Sophomore guard Maddie Landgraf led in steals at 2.4 per game and three-point accuracy with 35.1 percent (13 of 37).

The Resorters’ varsity letter winners are seniors Kate Vollrath and Watry; juniors Knepfel, Anna Vollrath, Abbey Neils and Becca Hembel; and sophomores Landgraf, Rachel Knowles and Morgan Voigtlander.
FINAL ELKHART LAKE-GLENBEULAH
GIRLS BASKETBALL STATISTICS

Scoring Leaders
Pts. Avg.
Kate Vollrath………………….…....249 10.4
Anna Vollrath………………………..234 9.8
Rebounding Leaders
No. Avg.
A. Vollrath………………………….....155 6.5
K. Vollrath……………………………..109 4.5
Steal Leaders
No. Avg.
Maddie Landgraf……………….……57 2.4
Stephanie Knepfel……………..…...55 2.3
Assist Leaders
No. Avg.
Knepfel……………………………....….56 2.3
K. Vollrath……………………….………45 1.9
Blocked-Shot Leaders
No. Avg.
A. Vollrath………………………….…...61 2.5
Chelsea Watry…………….…………..13 0.5