Midwest High School Matchups We’d Love To See

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason is right around the corner for most states and I can't help but look at the large picture of high school volleyball and some of the fun matchups that would be a treat to watch. This is a little more than matching up the top teams in each state. There are some storylines along the way. Some future teammates that could go head to head, maybe one team could take a ship across Lake Michigan to compete, and some who would flat out just be an amazing match. Here are some matchups we would love to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1578769469572141056?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1578769469572141056?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Academy (IL) vs. Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two big time Catholic Schools, Chicago vs. Milwaukee, the Illinois large school state runner up vs the Wisconsin large school state champs.  There are plenty of storylines that go behind the matchup of these two programs.  DSHA recently competed in the Asics Challenge in Chicago where they suffered their first loss of the season to the host, Mother McAuley who won the tournament.  They feature four D1 commits with [player_tooltip player_id='122569' first='Sophia' last='Wendlick'] (Creighton), [player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] (Wisconsin), [player_tooltip player_id='178026' first='Olivia' last='Durst'] (Michigan State), and [player_tooltip player_id='246946' first='Jordan' last='Czajkowski'] (Belmont).  On their heels in Wisconsin is Oconomowoc who won the large school Wisconsin state title in 2021 and features a star studded senior class led by Lilly Wagner (Maryland) and Anna Bjork (Notre Dame).  As for Benet, they have some of the top juniors in the Midwest with [player_tooltip player_id='311413' first='Audrey' last='Asleson'] (Colorado) and [player_tooltip player_id='288647' first='Aniya' last='Warren'] (Indiana).  They also have one of the top Class of 2026 middle blockers in Lynney Tarnow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":334042,"width":557,"height":371,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09953.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-334042" style="width:557px;height:371px" width="557" height="371"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wayzata (MN) vs. Blue Valley North (KS) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battle of I35.  These two teams come from massive high schools with Wayzata out of the Twin Cities metro and Blue Valley North from Kansas City/Overland Park.  Wayzata has been dominant in the big school class in Minnesota taking home the past two titles.  They feature [player_tooltip player_id='107264' first='Stella' last='Swenson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='107898' first='Olivia' last='Swenson'], the twin duo who are heading to the University of Minnesota.  [player_tooltip player_id='107264' first='Stella' last='Swenson'] has been the 2x Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota.  Blue Valley North have two of the top setters in the country.  Senior, [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green'] has been a QB1 for all of her teams whether its Blue Valley North or KC Power.  She will be heading to Cincinnati.  [player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks'] is one of the top uncommitted prospects from the Class of 2025. She can set or swing - she does it all.  She has spent time on the USA U19 National squad this past summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":457386,"width":563,"height":375,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/DSC09942.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-457386" style="width:563px;height:375px" width="563" height="375"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tvrdy</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Papillion-La Vista (NE) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (IN) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams who are among the best in the country from volleyball hotbeds.  Papillon-La Vista has three seniors among the top ten in Prep Dig Nebraska's Class of 2024 rankings with [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy'] (Oregon), [player_tooltip player_id='109586' first='Reagan' last='Hickey'] (Regis), and [player_tooltip player_id='104984' first='Faith' last='Frame'] (Cincinnati).  Hamilton Southeastern isn't just the best in Indiana, but has been among the best in the country.  In their senior class alone they have [player_tooltip player_id='110501' first='Lauren' last='Harden'] (Florida), [player_tooltip player_id='110509' first='Macy' last='Hinshaw'] (Santa Clara), [player_tooltip player_id='112085' first='Tiffany' last='Snook'] (Memphis), [player_tooltip player_id='112086' first='Sophie' last='Ledbetter'] (Ball State), [player_tooltip player_id='153104' first='Breonna' last='Goss'] (Duke.  From the junior class they have [player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'] (Loyola-Chicago) and [player_tooltip player_id='153107' first='Lindsey' last='Mangelson'] (Mississippi State).  That is seven D1 commits - and those are just the committed athletes, that doesn't even factor in those who are uncommitted. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587526534943936513?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587526534943936513?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elkhorn North (NE) vs. Dike-New Hartford (IA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some deeper storylines here.  Elkhorn North has been one of the top teams in their class in Nebraska and a relatively new high school as well.  They have even won state basketball titles.  Same as Dike-New Hartford.  This senior class for DNH has won two state volleyball titles and three state basketball titles.  Teams who are full of athletes, and future teammates too.  Elkhorn North features [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'] who has been part of state volleyball teams and basketball state titles.  She is the daughter of Creighton coach, Kirsten Bernthal Booth, and will head to play for Coach Bobbi Petersen at Northern Iowa.  Coach Petersen has twin daughters who play for Dike-New Hartford in [player_tooltip player_id='168150' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='168149' first='Payton' last='Petersen'].  Another high level athlete on this team is senior, [player_tooltip player_id='251662' first='Maryn' last='Bixby'].  [player_tooltip player_id='168150' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] and Bixby will head to Northern Iowa while Payton will play for Louisville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":158228,"width":560,"height":373,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/09/DSC09412.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-158228" style="width:560px;height:373px" width="560" height="373"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='181809' first='Madison' last='York'] and Manitowoc Lincoln</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manitowoc Lincoln (WI) vs. Hudsonville (MI) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Battle of Lake Michigan. Manitowoc, Wisconsin is on the lakeshore and actually has a ferry that goes across Lake Michigan.&nbsp; Their football team hosted Mona Shores High School which is right on “The Lake” and instead of a bus, they took a ship to their game.&nbsp; As for volleyball, Manitowoc Lincoln is the fourth ranked team in Wisconsin's largest class that features a dominant senior class.&nbsp; Right side [player_tooltip player_id='181809' first='Madison' last='York'] has a heavy left handed swing and will head to Northern Michigan.&nbsp; Setter, [player_tooltip player_id='181810' first='Grace' last='Fruzen'] is a highly skilled all around player and has committed to Upper Iowa where libero [player_tooltip player_id='151740' first='Laurin' last='Hamann'] is going to D2 power St. Cloud State.&nbsp; Hudsonville is the second ranked team in Michigan's largest class.&nbsp; They feature some high level athletes who play for FaR Out volleyball out of Grand Rapids.&nbsp; Their roster features [player_tooltip player_id='172198' first='Isabelle' last='Swiercz'] (Central Michigan), [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] (San Diego State), and [player_tooltip player_id='184676' first='Ava' last='Ford'] (Cornerstone).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->