Who Are The Top Attackers Returning In D2?

We're back…almost.  The Wisconsin high school season is just around the corner with practice beginning August 18.  Let's take a look at the top attackers returning in D2.     [player_tooltip player_id='435897' first='Lucy' last='Ripley'] is fresh off her commitment to Loyola Chicago where she had a big season for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Navy. Ripley brings plenty of dynamic attacking ability where she can swing and score from the pins or she is a dominant middle blocker who can really lockdown the front row defensively. Ripley is nearing the 1,000 kill milestone where she already has over 800 in two years of play. She will be a key player for Oconto Falls who will look to be one of the top teams in Northeast Wisconsin.     Payton Carlson is no stranger to the Wisconsin high school volleyball scene. She has been a standout at Waupaca since the time she stepped on the court. She has accumulated over 1500 kills in her career and is on track to break 1,000 digs as well. Her skill set is unique where she is a high level outside hitter and can play the libero position. Her freshman and sophomore year she was a libero primarily for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Elite and this past club season was a six rotation outside. She will take her talent to the next level in Omaha, Nebraska where she will join the Creighton Bluejays, a perennial top 25 program.     Another dynamic six rotation outside hitter in this group is [player_tooltip player_id='459898' first='Aubrey' last='Frey'] out of Luxemburg-Casco. In 2024 as a sophomore, Frey racked up just under 500 kills where she was a key piece to their D2 state runner up finish. As the top outside hitter in Prep Dig's Class of 2027 from Wisconsin, Frey will have plenty of options when it comes to the next level. Along with being a dynamic point scorer, she is elite in her serve receive and defense where she will be getting looks at the next level as an outside or libero. Luxemberg-Casco has some key pieces back along with Frey that includes setter [player_tooltip player_id='284079' first='Alayna' last='Deprez'] and libero Rylan Kaminski.     [player_tooltip player_id='834678' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] is the queen of the court in all facets where she is also one of the top basketball players in the state. She is a Wisconsin Women's Basketball commit, but has shown she can score points on the volleyball court as well. In 2024, she was pivotal in the run to the state tournament for Shawano where she had 467 total kills for the Hawks who went 30-9. She has the potential to be among an elite group who could have over 1,000 career kills in volleyball and over 1,000 career points in basketball.     [player_tooltip player_id='504417' first='Gracie' last='Clary'] has built quite a bit of momentum this past year where she capitalized off a big season for Lodi and joined the [program_tooltip program_id='486375' first='Sting' last='United 17 Red'] squad out of the Madison area. She has given her verbal commit to play at Winona State, a D2 power in the Northern Sun Conference. For Lodi, Clary does a little bit of everything where as a junior she collected 448 kills and had 341 digs. A six rotation player who can score from anywhere on the court. She has the potential to break the 1,000 kill barrier in her senior season. Lodi finished 27-11 and were second in the Capitol North Conference.     Keep an eye on Mosinee this season. There is something brewing in this program where they are setting themselves up for a big season. They will return their top attacker in [player_tooltip player_id='435884' first='Bridget' last='Frye'] who was the All Great Northern Conference Player of the Year - and she was only a sophomore. In 2024, she collected just under 400 kills and 237 digs. She will be coming back for more and will look to lead Mosinee to some big matches come late October and a chance to play at the Resch.     Shawano returns two top attackers in the state from D2 in [player_tooltip player_id='834678' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='806861' first='Natalie' last='Bystol']. Bystol is an electric six rotation outside hitter who brings a violent approach and electric arm swing. Following her state tournament run, she was able to find success for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 Navy. She will be looking for a big senior season. In 2024, she had 382 kills and nearly 250 digs. Look for Bystol to not only score points from the outside, but be a backrow attacker as well.     What an exciting player in [player_tooltip player_id='564289' first='Britta' last='Olson']. St. Croix Falls made the bump up from D3 after their state title in 2023 to D2 in 2024 where they finished 22-10. [player_tooltip player_id='564289' first='Britta' last='Olson'] was a key piece to their success and just a sophomore where she collected over 300 kills and 300 digs. I was able to see her play for ClubRed this past club season where she brought an aggressive style of play where she's not afraid to take a big rip. She is the type to create chaos on the other side of the net while having such a positive energy for her team.     There is such a dynamic style to the game of [player_tooltip player_id='388454' first='Paige' last='Proefrock'] out of Grafton. The soon to be junior had a big year in 2024 racking up over 300 kills and followed her high school season up with a solid performance for I AM VBC 16 Red out of Cedarburg. What Proefrock brings to the table is her ability to hang in the air and find an open spot around the block. She can change up speeds and angles that allows her to score points in a variety of ways. Grafton made some big strides in 2024 and could be one to watch this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='483665' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'] is another unique talent where she is a next level prospect for volleyball and basketball. For volleyball, she played on Rice Lake's state tournament team as a freshman and in 2024 had 314 kills and 99 blocks. In 2025 she did double duty where she was part of a successful ClubRed 16s team for volleyball and was a key part for the Rice Lake basketball team who advanced to the state tournament. Schmidt averaged a double double in basketball with 16 ppg and 13 rpg. She will have plenty of options in two sports at the next level.

We're back…almost. The Wisconsin high school season is just around the corner with practice beginning August 18. Let's take a look at the top attackers returning in D2.