Wild Western WI Players You’ve Gotta See In 2021

Even as a fan, you might have your favorite club or high school, but there are some players out there who are so talented that they make the most difficult plays look easy on a regular basis.  In this section, we looked on the western Wisconsin border as far north as Clark County all the way down to where the land of the Cheeseheads meets the Illinois border.

Here’s what we came up with in the West Central and Southwest Regions of Wisconsin.

West Central 

Gianna Vollrath Gianna Vollrath 6'1" | MB Fall Creek | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker - Fall Creek  

Vollrath was made for volleyball, but she is also a phenomenal small school multi-sport athlete.  Vollrath can stuff block a ball that other players may simply get a micro touch on, and she transitions, elevates, and makes kills with footwork that make a dancer jealous.  She rejects the overpasses like no one else and works around the opposing block like it’s barely there, and she can blast the corners.  Vollrath is a joy to watch because she simply radiates excitement on the court.  Don’t ever stop watching her, especially if you’re playing against her, because she will score on you.

Harley Bartels Harley Bartels MB Holmen | 2022 State WI – 2022 – Middle Blocker - Holmen 

The Vikings are an experienced electrifying team heading into 2021, and Harley Bartels Harley Bartels MB Holmen | 2022 State WI is a big part of the reason why.  Her power is legit, and even though she’s only played 35 sets of varsity, this senior is poised to have a really phenomenal campaign.  Bartels is explosive, takes a heavy swing, and is really athletic.  The best part is how excited her team gets for each other, making them a team to watch this season. 

Other Notables 

Abby Schell – 2023 – Setter/Right Side Hitter - Sparta

Alyssa Wirth Alyssa Wirth 6'4" | MB Altoona | 2024 WI – 2024 – 6’5 – Middle Blocker – Altoona

Ava Smith – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Onalaska

Bailey Theusch – 2022 – 5’7 – Libero - Aquinas

Chloe Hammond Chloe Hammond RS Holmen | 2022 State WI – 2022 – Right Side Hitters - Holmen  

Ellie Kline Ellie Kline 5'4" | DS/L Holmen | 2022 State WI – 2022 – Libero – Holmen 

Hannah Herrem Hannah Herrem 5'2" | DS/L Fall Creek | 2022 WI – 2022 – 5’3 – Libero – Fall Creek 

Hannah Walters – 2022 – Defensive Specialist - Tomah

Jacey Weisbrod – 2022 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter - Aquinas 

Katie Krause – 2022 – Middle Blocker - Tomah

Kayla Fabry – 2023 – Pin Hitter - Sparta

Kyla Christnovich – 2023 – Middle Blocker – Holmen

Lauren Buley Lauren Buley 5'11" | OH Lacrosse Central | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter – La Crosse Central

Lauren Noth Lauren Noth OH Tomah | 2023 State WI – 2023 – Outside Hitter – Tomah 

Macy Donarski Macy Donarski 5'7" | S Aquinas | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’7 – Setter - Aquinas 

Mara Schmidt Mara Schmidt 5'11" | OH Holmen | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’11 – Pin Hitter – Holmen - Committed to Southern Miss (Beach)  

Mya Martenson Mya Martenson 5'9" | OH Altoona | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter – Altoona

Olivia Tillman – 2022 – Middle Blocker/ Right Side Hitter - Onalaska

Rayna McArdle Rayna McArdle 5'9" | S Holmen | 2024 State WI – 2024 – Setter - Holmen  

Ruby Gerhard – 2024 – Middle Blocker – La Crosse Central

Sam Olson – 2022 – 5’8 – Setter/Outside Hitter – Fall Creek 

Sanjana Xiong – 2023 – Libero - Onalaska

Shealyn Bahr Shealyn Bahr 5'8" | OH Aquinas | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – Aquinas

Sydney Emineth Sydney Emineth 5'10" | MB Aquinas | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker - Aquinas

Southwest 

Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Sauk Prairie – Committed to Wright State 

Shadewald has maintained such an exceptional level of quality in her play since she landed on our radar.  It’s really no wonder why Shadewald is in the Top 10 of the 2022 Class.  I do think it’s fair to talk about her in the same ranks as Natalie Ring Natalie Ring 6'1" | OH Edgewood | 2022 State #177 Nation WI (Committed to Marquette), Maleah Howe Maleah Howe OH Oconomowoc | 2022 State #190 Nation WI (Committed to Troy) and Brianna Cantrell Brianna Cantrell OH Appleton North | 2022 State #104 Nation WI (Committed to East Tennessee State). Shadewald is an exciting player, so I wouldn’t pass up a chance to see her before she moves into the Horizon League. 

Other Notables  

Alia Schlimgen Alia Schlimgen 5'5" | DS/L Sauk Prairie | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’5 – Libero – Sauk Prairie 

Blair Watters – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Mineral Point 

Hailey Stich – 2022 – 5’9 – Pin Hitter – Cuba City 

Jaydnn Gruner Jaydnn Gruner 5'11" | RS Baraboo | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker/Setter – Baraboo 

Jenna Pistono Jenna Pistono 5'8" | S Sauk Prairie | 2023 State WI - 2023 - 5’7 - Setter - Sauk Prairie

Lily Krahn – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist – Prairie du Chien 

Maggie Hartwig Maggie Hartwig 6'1" | MB Sauk Prairie | 2023 WI – 2023 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker – Sauk Prairie 

Mckenzie Gruner Mckenzie Gruner 6'1" | MB Baraboo | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker – Baraboo 

Mykaylia Bauer – 2022 – 5’0 – Libero - Potosi 

We’d love to hear about players in your area!  Email their name, grade, height, position, and high school to spikeitdown@hotmail.com .