Sneaky Good D1 Teams to Watch this Post-Season
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The sectional seedings are out, and while there are some dominant teams in the #1 seeded spots, there are plenty of teams that could cause some chaos and upsets in the bracket. Here are some sneaky good teams in the…
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Continue ReadingThe sectional seedings are out, and while there are some dominant teams in the #1 seeded spots, there are plenty of teams that could cause some chaos and upsets in the bracket. Here are some sneaky good teams in the Division 1 brackets.
Slinger
Slinger has played some great volleyball this season. They are ranked 3rd in their sectional and are a team to watch. They took Mukwonago, Pewaukee, and Oconomowoc to three sets in tournament play. This team is a wonderful balance between experienced and younger athletes. Sophomore Allie Beers Allie Beers 6'0" | MB Slinger | 2026 State WI is averaging 4 kills per set, and senior Melia Johnson Melia Johnson 6'2" | OH Slinger | 2024 State #140 Nation WI is averaging 3.7. Melia is a huge offensive leader and is hitting 0.296, an amazing number for a pin hitter. Setter Ella Kohnen Ella Kohnen S Slinger | 2026 State WI is only a sophomore and is making a name for herself. Other sophomores having an impact are libero Gabriell Graff, middle hitter Malena Benz, and pin hitter Miley Quade Miley Quade 5'8" | OH Slinger | 2026 WI .
Marshfield
Marshfield is an incredibly talented team. They have competed at a very high level and have good chemistry on the court. Setter Kailyn Kurth Kailyn Kurth 5'9" | S Marshfield | 2025 WI runs the show and has 817 assists so far this season. Abby Ongna is dominant in the front and back row with 427 kills and over 200 digs. Libero Ashlyn Barwick Ashlyn Barwick 5'5" | DS/L Marshfield | 2024 State WI is quick and has amazing court awareness and ball control. Grace Taylor Grace Taylor 5'7" | RS Marshfield | 2024 State WI is an athlete who can play virtually anywhere. She is a well-rounded pin hitter who contributes on offense and defense. Grace leads the team with 62 aces. Middle hitter Lauren Homolka Lauren Homolka 6'0" | MB Marshfield | 2025 State WI is hitting 0.312 and leads the team with 82 blocks.
Bay Port
Bay Port has had a tough schedule and has taken some big wins from other top teams, including against Marshfield, Waukesha West, and Fond du Lac. The middle hitters on this team are nearly unstoppable. Ellie McDermid Ellie McDermid 6'3" | MB Bay Port | 2024 WI is currently hitting 0.356, and Chloe Parker Chloe Parker 6'2" | MB Bay Port | 2025 State WI is hitting 0.353. Kendra Shimon Kendra Shimon 6'1" | OH Bay Port | 2025 State WI is a key factor for Bay Port on offense and defense. This team runs a 6-2 with Alaina Shimon Alaina Shimon 5'8" | S Bay Port | 2025 State WI and freshman Meghan Bruss Meghan Bruss S Bay Port | 2027 WI ; both run a great offense and contribute to the success of the team.
Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Falls has taken some great wins against top teams in the state, including Chippewa Falls, Appleton North, and Oak Creek. They took a set from DSHA in conference play as well. This is a very defensively strong team with the Bruns sisters, including sophomore libero Cassidy Bruns Cassidy Bruns 5'4" | DS/L Menomonee Falls | 2026 State WI as well as twin sister Addison Bruns Addison Bruns 5'4" | DS/L Menomonee Falls | 2026 State WI and her older sister Ellie Bruns Ellie Bruns 5'5" | DS/L Menomonee Falls | 2025 State WI . Sophomore setter Kaylee Harder Kaylee Harder 5'10" | S Menomonee Falls | 2026 State WI has been dominant and already has 500 assists and 222 kills this season. Kennedy Nimmer Kennedy Nimmer MB Menomonee Falls | 2025 State WI is a junior who has topped 300 kills this season. This is a team that never lets the ball drop and plays well in out-of-system situations.
Franklin
Franklin has been a team on the rise. Every year, they seem to get better and better, and this year is no different. They have taken sets off of Mukwonago and Appleton North and beat Slinger and Oak Creek. Avri Solik-Fifarek Avri Solik-Fifarek 6'0" | OH Franklin | 2024 State WI has been dominant on offense and recently reached the 1,000 career kill milestone. Senior libero Claire Luoma Claire Luoma 5'8" | DS/L Franklin | 2024 State #85 Nation WI is averaging 5.4 digs per set and has over 500 digs this season. Madison Marx Madison Marx 5'7" | S Franklin | 2025 State WI has 92 aces as well as over 700 assists and 247 digs. Pin hitter Kylie Pettke Kylie Pettke 5'8" | DS/L Franklin | 2024 WI is very dynamic and is key to this team’s success on serve receive and defense.
Sussex Hamilton
This team can absolutely compete at the highest level. Their only loss in one of the toughest conferences in the state was to DSHA. They beat Franklin and Waunakee, among many talented teams. They also took DSHA to 5 sets in conference play, one of the only teams that has been able to do so. Brooke Baldwin Brooke Baldwin 6'0" | S Sussex Hamilton | 2026 State WI is a huge leader as a setter and has over 600 assists this season. She is smooth and smart and runs a fast-tempo offense. Fellow sophomore Emily Zgonc Emily Zgonc 5'3" | DS/L Sussex Hamilton | 2026 State WI dominates in the back row. She takes the most balls in serve receive and leads the team in digs. Emily is quick and has a high volleyball IQ. Eva Finnessy Eva Finnessy 5'11" | OH Sussex-Hamilton | 2025 State WI is an explosive pin hitter who is smart in balancing shots and power. Ella Schumacher Ella Schumacher OH Sussex Hamilton | 2024 State WI and Brooke Aslakson Brooke Aslakson 6'0" | MB Sussex Hamilton | 2025 State WI are also key players on this offense.