Midwest High School Matchups We’d Love To See

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.

Benet Academy (IL) vs. Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI) 

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 Sophia Wendlick Sophia Wendlick 6'0" | OH DSHA | 2024 State #100 Nation WI (Creighton), Madison Quest Madison Quest 6'3" | OH DSHA | 2025 State #17 Nation WI (Wisconsin), Olivia Durst Olivia Durst 5'9" | DS/L DSHA | 2025 State WI (Michigan State), and Jordan Czajkowski Jordan Czajkowski 5'11" | S DSHA | 2025 State WI (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 Audrey Asleson Audrey Asleson 5'11" | S Benet Academy | 2025 State IL (Colorado) and Aniya Warren Aniya Warren 5'8" | DS/L Benet Academy | 2025 State #34 Nation IL (Indiana).  They also have one of the top Class of 2026 middle blockers in Lynney Tarnow. 

Wayzata (MN) vs. Blue Valley North (KS) 

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 Stella Swenson Stella Swenson 6'1" | S Wayzata | 2024 State #8 Nation MN and Olivia Swenson Olivia Swenson 6'3" | OH Wayzata | 2024 State #98 Nation MN , the twin duo who are heading to the University of Minnesota.  Stella Swenson Stella Swenson 6'1" | S Wayzata | 2024 State #8 Nation MN has been the 2x Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota.  Blue Valley North have two of the top setters in the country.  Senior, Janelle Green Janelle Green 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2024 State #68 Nation KS has been a QB1 for all of her teams whether its Blue Valley North or KC Power.  She will be heading to Cincinnati.  Logan Parks Logan Parks 6'0" | S Blue Valley North | 2025 State #7 Nation KS 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. 

Papillion-La Vista (NE) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (IN) 

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 Mia Tvrdy Mia Tvrdy 6'0" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #35 Nation NE (Oregon), Reagan Hickey Reagan Hickey 5'8" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State NE (Regis), and Faith Frame Faith Frame 5'6" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #167 Nation NE (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 Lauren Harden Lauren Harden 6'3" | OH Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State #36 Nation IN (Florida), Macy Hinshaw Macy Hinshaw 5'9" | S Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State #75 Nation IN (Santa Clara), Tiffany Snook Tiffany Snook 6'2" | MB Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State #186 Nation IN (Memphis), Sophie Ledbetter Sophie Ledbetter 5'9" | DS/L Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State IN (Ball State), Breonna Goss Breonna Goss 5'11" | MB Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State IN (Duke.  From the junior class they have Ava Hunter Ava Hunter 5'11" | S Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 State IN (Loyola-Chicago) and Lindsey Mangelson Lindsey Mangelson 6'2" | OH Hamilton Southeastern | 2025 State IN (Mississippi State).  That is seven D1 commits – and those are just the committed athletes, that doesn’t even factor in those who are uncommitted. 

Elkhorn North (NE) vs. Dike-New Hartford (IA)

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 Reese Booth Reese Booth 5'7" | S Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE 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 Jadyn Petersen Jadyn Petersen 5'9" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #195 Nation IA and Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 6'0" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #55 Nation IA .  Another high level athlete on this team is senior, Maryn Bixby Maryn Bixby 6'1" | MB Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA .  Jadyn Petersen Jadyn Petersen 5'9" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #195 Nation IA and Bixby will head to Northern Iowa while Payton will play for Louisville. 

Manitowoc Lincoln (WI) vs. Hudsonville (MI) 

The Battle of Lake Michigan. Manitowoc, Wisconsin is on the lakeshore and actually has a ferry that goes across Lake Michigan.  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.  As for volleyball, Manitowoc Lincoln is the fourth ranked team in Wisconsin’s largest class that features a dominant senior class.  Right side Madison York Madison York 6'1" | RS Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI has a heavy left handed swing and will head to Northern Michigan.  Setter, Grace Fruzen Grace Fruzen 5'8" | S Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI is a highly skilled all around player and has committed to Upper Iowa where libero Laurin Hamann Laurin Hamann 5'8" | DS/L Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024 State WI is going to D2 power St. Cloud State.  Hudsonville is the second ranked team in Michigan’s largest class.  They feature some high level athletes who play for FaR Out volleyball out of Grand Rapids.  Their roster features Isabelle Swiercz Isabelle Swiercz 6'2" | OH Hudsonville | 2024 State #110 Nation MI (Central Michigan), Gianna Bender Gianna Bender 5'6" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI (San Diego State), and Ava Ford Ava Ford 5'4" | DS/L Hudsonville | 2024 State MI (Cornerstone).