They’re Baaaaaaack – Part 2

The Wolves will be the only returner from the 2022 Division 4 field. Wonewoc Center punched their ticket to the Resch after a battle with Cloverbelt East Champions, Columbus Catholic. Their experience from last year showed in their play as they were more relaxed and aggressive. The Wolves are led by Green Bay commit, Kelsey Justman Kelsey Justman 5'9" | OH Wonewoc-Center | 2024 State WI , who was bouncing the ball inside the 10-foot line last year. She is lethal out of the back row and can pick her spot with ease. Justman is crazy athletic and does a great job finding her way to the ball and terminating. Along with Justman, there is Jaelyn Stowe who has a soft and quick release on the ball. She knows just where to put the ball for Justman and they have a great connection. Another weapon for the Wolves is Emma Mildbrand who had a knack for finding the 1 corner last year under the bright lights.

Could we end up with a rematch of the 2022 Division 3 State Championship match? The Saints also graduated some big playmakers including setter, Brianna McCurdy, and both outside hitters, Sydnei Larson and Bryn Connors from their 2022 Division 3 Runner-up finish. They return their libero, Ayla Schmidt who does a great job covering her hitters and finishing the play. She is super scrappy and hustles everywhere to keep the ball alive for her squad. The Saints also return both of their middles, Lucy Belisle, and Kelsey Cooper Kelsey Cooper 6'1" | MB St. Croix Falls | 2024 State WI . Belisle doesn't shy away from taking a really big swing at the ball. Cooper is a beast with a heavy arm and when she swings from the pins out of serve receive she terminates. She gives the opposing blockers a lot of issues while she works off the inside shoulder or pounds the sidelines. Another player that was solid in her 2022 role was defensive specialist, Morgan Marks. She reads the play and anticipates the line shot really well. She can get under the ball and does a great job of keeping the ball off the net.

Xavier is the sole returner in division 2 and they have been pretty dominant through the tournament so far. They returned all the big key pieces and will be looking for back-to-back state titles. Middles, Olivia Neumann Olivia Neumann 6'3" | MB Xavier | 2024 State WI will be back with her deadly slide route and big block while Mattea Kiepert Mattea Kiepert 5'10" | OH Xavier | 2024 State WI uses her speed to get up fast and early to contact the ball at a high point. Mariah Potter Mariah Potter 5'9" | S Xavier | 2024 State WI ran a 5-1 last year and knows how to run a high-powered offense in a stressful situation. Outside, Halle Vande Hey Halle Vande Hey 5'11" | OH Xavier | 2024 State WI makes great hustle plays to keep the ball alive and swings hard off the block or guns for the deep cross corner. Meanwhile Annika Kowalski Annika Kowalski 5'9" | OH Xavier | 2025 State WI uses a wicked fast arm swing to score. Right Side, Madison Daley Madison Daley 5'11" | RS Xavier | 2025 State WI takes a heavy booming swing on the ball and knows how to set up a really strong block with her middles. And of course, the queen of the first contact, Belle Shea is super scrappy and covers all her hitters. And she's a natural at taking the 2nd ball after playing beach for so many years.

Could this be another 2022 rematch for the title? The Coons graduated big swing, Cordelia Kearns but returned the rest. Setter, Lilly Wagner Lilly Wagner 6'0" | S Oconomowoc | 2024 State #42 Nation WI , is a phenomenal leader for this group and knows just how to bait the opposing middle into jumping with her before feeding her attacker. Anna Bjork Anna Bjork 6'3" | MB Oconomowoc | 2024 State #54 Nation WI is one of Wagner's favorite targets because she is so consistent in her footwork and fast swing. She plays great heads-up volleyball and works great angles as an attacker. Olivia Kwiatkowski Olivia Kwiatkowski 6'0" | OH Oconomowoc | 2024 State WI takes a heavy swing from the pin while Marlee Sivak Marlee Sivak 6'1" | OH Oconomowoc | 2026 State #99 Nation WI stepped up in a huge way last year and showed Wisconsin what she was made of. Libero, Bay Keller, tracks the tough float like a pro and doesn't back down when pushed or play gets tough.