#1 Seeded Teams Headed into the Division 1 State Tournament Run
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Regionals are just a few days away. It is incredible how quickly the high school season flies by. Seeding meetings are complete, and I am sure they were very intense! The next few weeks of play are some of the…
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Continue ReadingRegionals are just a few days away. It is incredible how quickly the high school season flies by. Seeding meetings are complete, and I am sure they were very intense! The next few weeks of play are some of the most exciting in high school volleyball. Let’s start with what teams earned a #1 seed in Division 1.
Eau Claire Memorial
Eau Claire Memorial has had a dominant season. They have only dropped 6 matches this season and competed at a high level from start to finish. This is a team with a lot of experience, with the majority of their contributing players being juniors and seniors. Senior setter Anika Skolos has logged nearly 1,000 assists this season alone. She’s been a 3-year varsity athlete and has over 2,000 assists. Pin hitter Ella Gunderson Ella Gunderson 6'0" | OH Eau Claire Memorial | 2024 State WI has been dominant with 389 kills and is averaging 3.8 kills per set. Eau Claire Memorial has three hitters who are incredibly efficient. Pin hitter Ella Mcconnell is hitting 0.266, middle hitter Katie Prasher is hitting 0.262, and Ella Gunderson Ella Gunderson 6'0" | OH Eau Claire Memorial | 2024 State WI is hitting 0.243. Defensively, Ashlynn Shroeder leads the team with 407 digs and 486 service receptions. Ashlynn also leads the team in aces.
Appleton North
Appleton North has been absolutely dominant the past number of seasons. They are a staple at the state tournament and are looking to go far again this year. They are undefeated in conference play and have a 30-7 overall record. Their only losses have come to really talented teams. This team has some incredible athletes, including Michigan Commit Ella Demetrician Ella Demetrician 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2024 State #40 Nation WI , who is averaging 5.6 kills per set and hitting 0.351. Kansas State commit and 5-1 setter Emerson Van Lannen Emerson Van Lannen 5'10" | S Appleton North | 2024 State #144 Nation WI never misses a beat. She has 742 assists on the season and contributed 43 aces and 139 kills. Maggie Hahnke Maggie Hahnke 5'10" | OH Appleton North | 2024 State WI leads the team in aces and digs. Teegan Charapata Teegan Charapata 5'9" | OH Appleton North | 2025 State WI is another key athlete on this team, contributing 236 kills, 209 digs, and 448 service receptions.
Waunakee
Waunakee is another senior-heavy team with a lot of experience. Senior setters Morgan Van Wie Morgan Van Wie 6'0" | S Waunakee Community | 2024 State WI and Anna Mott run the show. Morgan is a recent Badger commit and both sets and swings for Waunakee. She has a 0.354 hitting percentage. Pin hitter Summer Grigg Summer Grigg 5'8" | OH Waunakee | 2024 State WI is a key offensive weapon. She is dynamic, powerful, and an impact player in all six rotations. Pin hitter Lily Follen is another key athlete who leads the team in aces. She also has 128 kills and nearly 200 digs. Libero Cora Webster is explosive and quick in the back row. This will be a fun team to watch through the regionals, sectionals, and hopefully into the state tournament.
Oconomowoc
Oconomowoc is one of the favorites to make it to the state and play in the state championship. They have a loaded roster that includes some of the top athletes in the country. They have a perfect record in conference play and are 36-3 this season. Their only losses were at the hands of DSHA in tournament championship matches. Middle Blocker and Notre Dame commit Anna Bjork Anna Bjork 6'3" | MB Oconomowoc | 2024 State #54 Nation WI is hitting 0.416 and has 86 blocks. She is unstoppable. Setter Lilly Wagner Lilly Wagner 6'0" | S Oconomowoc | 2024 State #42 Nation WI (Maryland) has 834 assists this season. She is an energizer, incredibly positive, and passionate player and leader. Other key hitters include pin hitters Olivia Kwiatkowski Olivia Kwiatkowski 6'0" | OH Oconomowoc | 2024 State WI (Troy) and Marlee Sivak Marlee Sivak 6'1" | OH Oconomowoc | 2026 State WI . Bays Keller Bays Keller DS/L Oconomowoc | 2024 State WI has been dominant in the back row. She has stepped up into a massive role in the past two seasons as the starting libero.
Manitowoc Lincoln
Manitowoc Lincoln is another team that is undefeated in conference play and has only dropped a handful of matches this season. Some key wins for Manitowoc Lincoln include beating Appleton North, Waunakee, Muckwonago, and Oak Creek – all other #1 seeds heading into the postseason. Manitowoc Lincoln has three key offensive weapons: Madison York Madison York 6'1" | RS Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI , Nena Swoboda, and freshman Abby Weidmayer. Laurin Hamann Laurin Hamann 5'8" | DS/L Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI is scrappy on defense and controlled on serve receive. She leads the back row and averages 6.1 digs per set. Grace Fruzen Grace Fruzen 5'8" | S Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI is a gritty setter with a great ball tempo. She is a setter you always want on your side.
Oak Creek
Oak Creek has really made a name for itself in the past few years. They have always had a great program and made a state appearance in 2021. They are undefeated in conference play and 33-8 this season. Setter Julia Erdmann Julia Erdmann 5'9" | S Oak Creek | 2025 State WI runs the show and has 759 assists this season. Eckerd commit, Kaitlyn Dohs Kaitlyn Dohs 5'8" | OH Oak Creek | 2024 State WI is an athlete who is hard to take off of the court. She leads the team in kills, service receptions, and kills per set. She also is a key defender. Sophomore pin hitter Isa Ruether is making her mark with 214 kills, 48 blocks, and 292 service receptions. Callie Panasuk Callie Panasuk 5'3" | DS/L Oak Creek | 2025 State WI is a very talented libero who keeps the ball alive at all costs.
Mukwonago
Mukwonago has flown a bit under the radar this season, but they have had some absolutely key matches and wins that secured their #1 seed. They beat Oak Creek in straight sets (twice) and took Oconomowoc to 5 in conference play. Gabriella Pitcell (Illinois) is dominant, with 4.2 kills per set and a 0.272 hitting percentage. Natalia Farrugia Natalia Farrugia 6'0" | MB Mukwonago | 2024 State WI (Missouri Western) has 98 blocks, a truly impressive number. The setter duo for Mukwonago complements each other very well. Abby Winkelman has ice in her veins on the court, and Keira Robidoux Keira Robidoux 5'6" | S Mukwonago | 2025 State WI is gritty and very smart. Libero Alexis Gardner Alexis Gardner 5'7" | DS/L Mukwonago | 2025 State WI (UW-Green Bay) is all over the court and has some of the best court awareness and volleyball IQ in the state.
DSHA
DSHA nearly went into the post-season undefeated. Their only loss is to Mother McAuley from Chicago. They have beaten Oconomowoc three times this season, Manitowoc Lincoln, Oak Creek, Waunakee, and Appleton North. Sophia Wendlick Sophia Wendlick 6'0" | OH DSHA | 2024 State #100 Nation WI (Creighton) is averaging 4.7 kills per set, and Madison Quest Madison Quest 6'3" | OH DSHA | 2025 State #13 Nation WI (UW-Madison) is at 4.5. Sophomore middle blocker Maddie Brown Maddie Brown MB Divine Savior Holy Angels | 2026 State WI has 91 blocks. Olivia Durst Olivia Durst 5'9" | DS/L DSHA | 2025 State #140 Nation WI (Michigan State) is unstoppable in the libero position. And Jordan Czajkowski Jordan Czajkowski 5'11" | S DSHA | 2025 State WI (Belmont) runs the offense smoothly and efficiently. This is another favorite not only to make it to the state tournament but also to the state championship match.