These New To Know Sophomores Are Breaking Out This Season

There is so much growth between the Freshman and Sophomore year. Sophomores know the drill, they’ve been through the firsts (although this Sophomore class might have had a weird year to start high school in 2020), but for the most part Sophomores are ready to get on the court with something to prove. Here are athletes from the Class of 2024 who are rising, ones I may not have seen before or are really coming into their own this season. [caption id="attachment_117055" align="alignright" width="225"]<img class="wp-image-117055" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Kamryn-Kaminski-2-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="338" /> [player_tooltip player_id="122498" first="Kamryn" last="Kaminski"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="122508" first="Elle" last="Kennedy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="122498" first="Kamryn" last="Kaminski"] - Howards Grove Howards Grove has established itself as a top team in the state, defeating DSHA and Oconomowoc twice. This team is full of athletes who can play any position, really it’s a team full of liberos who don’t let the ball drop. [player_tooltip player_id="122508" first="Elle" last="Kennedy"] has been wearing the libero jersey and has a solid defensive machine in the backrow, allowing for players like [player_tooltip player_id="82282" first="Saige" last="Damrow"], [player_tooltip player_id="122497" first="Olivia" last="Baierl"], and [player_tooltip player_id="22384" first="Karissa" last="Kaminski"] to swing away on the pin. [player_tooltip player_id="122498" first="Kamryn" last="Kaminski"] has been used as a backrow setter along with [player_tooltip player_id="57252" first="Emma" last="Baierl"] where he is solid, steady, and dependable. She also provides an aggressive serve and is a solid defender of her position.   [player_tooltip player_id="122569" first="Sophia" last="Wendlick"] - DSHA Wendlick had a huge weekend for DSHA where she was an all-tournament team member of the Charger Rally. This past weekend, she played primarily on the right side and was tough to stop, scoring plenty of points. She is tough matchup with how dynamic she can be because she can hit anywhere in the front row. She can push back in serve receive and DSHA can run a variety of options with her.   Madison York - Manitowoc Lincoln I was able to see York play for Manitowoc Lincoln this past weekend at the Charger Challenge and was extremely impressed with what she brought to the table. A 6’1 lefty right side, York is an instant presence for the Ships who had a strong finish among tth top third this weekend. She is an offensive outlet that allows for the setters to spread the offense. Her upside is huge and will be a major contributor the rest of this season.   [caption id="attachment_158224" align="alignright" width="366"]<img class="wp-image-158224" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/09/DSC09074.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="245" /> Belle Shea[/caption] The Xavier Sophomore Class Xavier out of Appleton has risen in the rankings to number five in D2. This has been done primarily with a core of sophomores and freshmen. [player_tooltip player_id="144816" first="Mariah" last="Potter"] paces the offense as their setter running a 5-1, [player_tooltip player_id="122567" first="Halle" last="Vande Hey"] is a dangerous point scorer from the outside and in the middle is [player_tooltip player_id="151738" first="Mattea" last="Kiepert"] is extremely dynamic out of the middle where she can score points with her swing and block. Isabelle Shea has been automatic out of the libero position where she covers plenty of territory to keep the offense in system.   Jayden Garratt - Catholic Central Catholic Central may be taking their lumps early, but they are still the defending state champion in D4 where they have been in the state title match the past three seasons, bringing home two gold ball. Garratt is averaging just over eight assists for the Hilltoppers who will be looking to build plenty of momentum in October heading into the post season.   [player_tooltip player_id="158571" first="Jaydnn" last="Gruner"] - Baraboo Gruner has been pulling some double duty setting and hitting for Baraboo. She is nearing 200 kills as an attacker and if needed, can set as well. She also has nearly 40 blocks on the season so far for Baraboo who already has 20 wins.   [player_tooltip player_id="122481" first="Ava" last="Dean"] - McFarland McFarland is sitting at 22-1 and will have some big upcoming matchups against the likes of Edgewood and other sectional opponents that will have big implications for seeding in the post season. Dean is a utility player for the Spartans where she can serve and defend. With her athleticism and success in multiple sports at the state level, she keeps the intensity high for McFarland who has plenty of experience at a high level not only for volleyball, but are the returning state champions in soccer as well.   Abigail Ogna - Marshfield [caption id="attachment_150377" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-150377" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/Danielle-Kopacz-300x300.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Prep Dig[/caption] Ogna is one of the top kill leaders in the state among Sophomores. She has over 200 kills and over 100 digs for Marshfield who have put together a strong season so far. They will head to the Appleton East Tournament this weekend where they will face the likes of Appleton East, Notre Dame, DC Everest, Mosinee, and Hortonville. This could be a chance for the to turn some heads with some big wins. [player_tooltip player_id="122510" first="Danielle" last="Kopacz"] - Pewaukee Pewaukee is coming off a big weekend by winning their own tournament and are battling for a conference title. They will also be among the top contenders in their section that also has the traditional powers of Catholic Memorial, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, and other Milwaukee area powers. Kopacz is a really strong athlete who can score points where she has 170 on the season and also has over 130 digs. Pewaukee has Senior, [player_tooltip player_id="35805" first="Katie" last="Gund"] leading who can do a little bit of everything, but also has some Freshmen stepping up big as well.   [player_tooltip player_id="148971" first="Sophie" last="Robinson"], Paige Steinmetz, [player_tooltip player_id="148970" first="Madison" last="Hunt"] - Chippewa Falls This trifecta of sophomores has been essential to the success of Chippewa Falls who are sitting at 21-1, with their only loss coming to River Falls. These three have plenty of length and athleticism where they first caught our eye at the Prep Dig Sizzle this summer and are now carrying this success into the high school season.   Other Up and Coming Sophomores [caption id="attachment_141511" align="alignright" width="418"]<img class="wp-image-141511" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Brooklyn-Tortorice.jpg" alt="" width="418" height="280" /> Tortorice[/caption] Brooke Vande Hei - Luxemburg-Casco - Libero Lucy Friess - Waukesha West - Libero [player_tooltip player_id="151740" first="Laurin" last="Hamann"] - Manitowoc Lincoln - Libero [player_tooltip player_id="158689" first="Jordan" last="Bauer"] - New Berlin West - Setter [player_tooltip player_id="122524" first="Reagan" last="McIntosh"] - Verona - Setter Marah Gruen - Royall - Outside Hitter Kylei Braatz - Watertown - Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="122565" first="Brooklyn" last="Tortorice"] - Monona Grove - Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="122576" first="Kendall" last="Heger"] - Muskego - Outside Hitter