Soaring Sophomores, What Wisconsin 29's Brought Big Performances?

No slump for these sophomores, we are one week into the high school volleyball season and these athletes have made their statement.  Whether it be key individual performance or performances that have led to a strong start for teams, these sophomores are ones to know!     Prentice is always a small school program others need to be aware of heading into the end of October where they are a threat to get to Green Bay in D5. They've made quite the splash to start the season with an 11-1 record. One of the athletes to pace the Buccaneers is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='915856' first='Leah' last='Lord']. She had over 400 kills as a freshman and through the first 12 matches of year two, she's already over 100. This will be a fun team to track who is full of juniors and sophomores making key contributions.     Stanley-Boyd is off to a fast start sitting at 9-2 with one of their losses coming to large school power, Hudson. One of their main attackers is [player_tooltip player_id='1038455' first='Amanda' last='Lew'] who had a breakout freshman year and is in no sophomore slump. She had 368 kills as a freshman and is sitting just under 100 so far though 11 matches. She isn't the only Lew doing damage where [player_tooltip player_id='807989' first='Kelly' last='Lew'] is leading Stanley-Boyd with 4.4 kills per set.     Let's not forget that Montello was a state tournament team in 2025 and will be looking to make another run to the Resch. An upstart sophomore is [player_tooltip player_id='915873' first='Theoree' last='Larson'] where she is averaging 3.2 kills and 3.3 digs per set. The Hilltoppers are off to a 9-2 start. They will have a competitive matchup this weekend where they will take on Stanley-Boyd who will be another top team in their division. Teaming up with Larson is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='995397' first='Remi' last='Dumbleton'] who is averaging 2.4 kills per set hitting .288.     [player_tooltip player_id='734111' first='Claire' last='Baldwin'] starts her sophomore year as no secret. She was a key piece to the Sussex Hamilton state title run in 2025 as a freshman. The Chargers have a young, but very talented squad where Baldwin will look to lead this season. They have a whole crew of sophomores who will see the court. Baldwin is averaging 3.7 kills per set through 14 matches and has been handling quite the volume in serve receive. Other sophomores to know on this team would be [player_tooltip player_id='781698' first='Faith' last='Benson'], Kinsley Pogodzinski, and [player_tooltip player_id='771530' first='Kyah' last='Peterson'] who have made key contributions.     [player_tooltip player_id='545529' first='Pacyn' last='Stoffel'] is one of the top sophomores in the state and showed that this past week when Mosinee ran off to an 11-0 start, taking home the Beast of the Northeast title in Appleton. The Indians will be one of the top rated teams when it comes to the WVCA initial D2 rankings. She is averaging 3.5 kills per set and a blistering .425 efficiency which is extremely high for an outside hitter. She is a six rotation player who can handle a high volume of serve receive and is a lethal threat to score out of the backrow as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='781346' first='Alaina' last='Retzlaff'] brings an athletic and physical style of play to the pin. She is an outside hitter for Fox Valley Lutheran, but can score from either pin. What is most dangerous about her game is the ability to score from a variety of tempos along the front line and even the backcourt. She is able to contact and score over the block at multiple angles. She is averaging 3 kills per set and hitting over .300. FVL is off to a 10-1 start on the season.     Shiocton is going to be a team to watch in D4 where they are led by sophomore Natalie Young. She is their top point scorer and also leads the team in blocks. The Chiefs are off to a 9-2 start and will be a top contender in the [program_tooltip program_id='428569' first='Central' last='Wisconsin'] East Division. They have a scrappy team who keeps the ball off the floor, playing an efficient game.     Neenah is coming off a lot of a big week where they had a strong showing at their home quad and a top eight finish at the Joust. The Rockets have plenty of offensive weapons, but a new name would be [player_tooltip player_id='781349' first='Brielle' last='Brown'] who is only a sophomore. She has length and athleticism which allows her to contact high and use her angles. She isn't the only sophomore for the Rockets making key contributions where setter [player_tooltip player_id='745149' first='Sena' last='Messner'] who already has over 100 assists in one week of play.     Mayville is going to win a lot of matches this season. They have plenty of offensive weapons, but Neva Middlestadt is the orchestrator of it all. The sophomore has led the Cardinals to a 6-1 start. She is averaging nearly six assists per set and is leading her team in aces as well. Another sophomore on the squad who is putting points on the board is [player_tooltip player_id='1005793' first='Brielle' last='Ehlers'] who is averaging 2.4 kills per set and hitting .412.     Marshfield is off to a strong start where they were in the elite eight where [player_tooltip player_id='935394' first='Jazlyn' last='Kurth'] was a key piece of the success. Kurth is averaging 3.9 digs per set, providing a lot of support in the backrow in serve receive and with her defense. She is also able to put up a nice second ball out of system. Two of their wins were against D1 programs in Bay Port and Hortonville which could be key for seeding.     Another team to watch in D3 is going to be Brillion. They have a stacked senior class with plenty of offensive firepower and experience, but [player_tooltip player_id='1038450' first='Livia' last='Van Camp'] is the sophomore libero who is averaging over 3 digs per set. Brillion has one loss at the hands of Fox Valley Lutheran who is 10-1 and have key wins over D3 opponents in Mantiwooc Lutheran and Howards Grove.

No slump for these sophomores, we are one week into the high school volleyball season and these athletes have made their statement. Whether it be key individual performance or performances that have led to a strong start for teams, these sophomores are ones to know!