Sophomore Sparks - New 2028s in Wisconsin

The sophomore year is always an interesting one. Athletes are starting to figure things out whether it be a second year of high school starting and just having a little bit more awareness and comfort.  There are sophomores that I see are racking up the stats, I watched them in high school and club during their freshman year and their 15s club season.  However, here are some new names that I would call “Upstart Sophomores” who are new and really making waves for their team.     What a unique talent [player_tooltip player_id='770412' first='Alexia' last='Stephens'] of Bay Port.  Last year as a freshman, she was only a tennis player while playing club volleyball for One Wisconsin in the winter.  She was a state tournament doubles player.  This year she is doing double duty playing tennis and volleyball for the Pirates who are off to a 9-3 start.  She is currently averaging 3.6 kills per set with over 100 kills so far this season.       When I see a “Stremlow” from Verona I automatically think of basketball with Taylor Stremlow who currently plays at Iowa.  [player_tooltip player_id='796520' first='Macy' last='Stremlow'] is making a name for herself where she has over 100 kills on the season for Verona who is off to an 11-3 start.  They have a big matchup tonight against Janesville Craig who defeated them in the opening weekend to claim their home tournament.  Stremlow not only is putting up the points, but she is also one of their top defenders with 99 digs on the season.      Aspen Mulally was just a freshman when Hudson made their run to the state tournament in 2024.  That team was full of talented seniors and Mulally has been a key returner for the Raiders.  Despite the big loss to graduation, they returned in 2025 with a 9-3 record to start the first two weeks.  Mulally is averaging nearly four kills per set and has 2.5 digs per set.  She isn't the only sophomore doing damage this year.  Teammate [player_tooltip player_id='783410' first='Libby' last='Bartz'] is averaging nearly three kills per set.  Bartz is a promising talent on the hardcourt for basketball.      I watched Bri Hagglund play a handful of times this past club season, but mostly at the libero position for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'].  Seeing her play for Kimberly on the outside is sure a treat.  She is a high flyer with a violent swing.  She has an extremely fast arm and is able to create chaos on the other side of the net. Kimberly is one of the more balanced teams you'll find offensively, but Hagglund has emerged as a go to pin for the Papermakers where she has 91 kills, good for 2.2 kills per set.      [player_tooltip player_id='522100' first='Saylor' last='Meulemans'] saw some time for Freedom as a freshman on the outside where they won a share of the conference title. As a sophomore, she has emerged as a go to attacker for the Irish who have a very athletic and young squad. Meulemans is averaging 3.2 kills per set and also leads the team with over three digs per set. The Irish will be heading into conference play in the North Eastern conference that is wide open with the likes of Luxemburg-Casco, Oconto Falls, and Waupaca looking to take the crown.     I remember seeing [player_tooltip player_id='772045' first='Charlee' last='O'Malley'] in the club season as she found plenty of success for Spiketown out of the Appleton area.  O'Malley preps for Montello High School where she is a setter/right side combo player. She has plenty of length where she is a problem for opponents at the net.  She is averaging two kills per set and over five assists per set.  Montello is 12-4 to start the year and will be ones to watch in the Trailways West conference.      Green Bay NEW Lutheran is going to be a team to watch in D5.  They are 9-6 to start the season where they have played against some D1 and D2 schools, really beefing up their schedule.  This team also has plenty of youth who are making an impact. One player to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='762580' first='Olivia' last='Kirchner'] who is nearly 300 assists on this young season.  She has spent her offseason playing club at One Wisconsin as well as some others from NEW.       River Falls keeps on producing high level setters and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='721442' first='Anika' last='Schwartz'] is next in line. She has been quarterbacking the Wildcat offense off to a 15-2 start this season.  Their only two losses coming to top Minnesota programs at the Southwest Minnesota Challenge this past weekend.  Schwartz has averaged assists per set and has chipped in two digs per set as well.        The sophomore from Manitowoc Lutheran is a dual threat athlete who can dish and score points for the Lancers.  She has been averaging nearly five assists per set, 30 kills, and averages just over two digs per set.  Lutheran is the reigning D4 state champion and is now bumped up to D3 this season.  They are sitting at 9-4 so far this season with three of their four losses coming to D1 squads in Bay Port, Oak Creek, and Oconomowoc.

The sophomore year is always an interesting one. Athletes are starting to figure things out whether it be a second year of high school starting and just having a little bit more awareness and comfort. There are sophomores that I see are racking up the stats, I watched them in high school and club during their freshman year and their 15s club season. However, here are some new names that I would call “Upstart Sophomores” who are new and really making waves for their team.