Sneaky Sizzle Teams Who Could Have Big Seasons

We know the typical contenders and we had plenty at the Sizzle who were able to show what we can expect to be another successful year for them in 2021. Appleton North, Luxemburg-Casco, and Howards Grove are all coming off some form of a state championship and did not disappoint. Brookfield Central had plenty of firepower with [player_tooltip player_id="22407" first="Mckenna" last="Wucherer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="81253" first="Morgan" last="Daugherty"] blasting off from fellow Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id="81283" first="Tatum" last="Kebisek"], once again being a top contender in D1. But who are some other sneaky good teams who will be sure to make some noise in the 2021 season that you may not have heard of and need to be talked about.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Oconto survives a late McFarland rally to win 15-13 in set three to advance to the <a href="https://x.com/annie_drews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@annie_drews</a> Division. Will face Fox Valley Lutheran <a href="https://t.co/i05Qw7Lytu">pic.x.com/i05Qw7Lytu</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1415770021326958595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Oconto The Blue Devils had a big couple of dates where they went undefeated on Day 1 and finished second in the Annie Drews Division behind Fox Valley Lutheran. Oconto graduated all everything [player_tooltip player_id="80713" first="Cora" last="Behnke"] who will begin her collegiate career at Green Bay, but return key attackers [player_tooltip player_id="118258" first="Hannah" last="Moe"] (UW-Oshkosh) and [player_tooltip player_id="149696" first="Lianna" last="Baxter"] in the middle. Baxter is dynamic and moves really well laterally where she can always find a touch or score points with her block. A steady, solid, and consistent athlete is [player_tooltip player_id="91917" first="Kate" last="Bahrke"].. She has been setting since her Freshman year at the Varsity level. Now as a Junior, she is a clear leader on the court and can always find a way to get a ball up for her attackers to terminate. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🏐 T O P P E R F O R M E R S 🏐 After winning the JV Wave 2 yesterday, the Fox Valley Lutheran Varsity squad is back for more today at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDSizzle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDSizzle</a> 🔥 Libero [player_tooltip player_id="119396" first="Kennedy" last="Schmitz"] and OH Cassie Patchett have been excellent on Day 2!😤<a href="https://x.com/PrepDigWI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDigWI</a> <a href="https://t.co/nWfj984H4l">pic.x.com/nWfj984H4l</a> — Prep Dig Circuit (@PDCircuit) <a href="https://x.com/PDCircuit/status/1415416295714086919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Fox Valley Lutheran FVL had a huge week with the Prep Dig Sizzle, winning the Annie Drews Division in a convincing matter. This squad ran into roadblocks of Luxemburg-Casco in conference play and then played Division 1 last season due to reclassification and was a sectional runner-up to Sauk Prairie. They return a lot of firepower with Kenzi Benter, [player_tooltip player_id="118262" first="Cassandra" last="Patchett"], [player_tooltip player_id="122532" first="Annalise" last="Patchett"], [player_tooltip player_id="91931" first="Kate" last="Henze"], [player_tooltip player_id="119397" first="Samantha" last="Kempinger"], and libero [player_tooltip player_id="119396" first="Kennedy" last="Schmitz"]. Another soon-to-be Sophomore to keep an eye on would be [player_tooltip player_id="122527" first="Emma" last="Nilson"]. A match to star on their schedule would be October 14 when they take on Luxemburg-Casco. Both of these teams I could see being in the top five of D2. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://x.com/StellaZarling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StellaZarling</a> executing from all six rotations for Kettle Moraine Lutheran <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDSizzle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDSizzle</a> <a href="https://t.co/LPhn0mwY14">pic.x.com/LPhn0mwY14</a> — PrepDigRachel (@prepdigrachel) <a href="https://x.com/prepdigrachel/status/1415397723679887360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Kettle Moraine Lutheran KML has the tradition and is always going to be a strong program, but heading into this season I wasn’t quite sure what the Chargers had in store. They came out swinging, literally. [player_tooltip player_id="81333" first="Stella" last="Zarling"] really took over, providing leadership along with positive contributions all over the court as a six rotation outside hitter. She also provides a scoring spark out of the backrow. They scored a huge win over Edgewood on Day 2 and hung tight with Howards Grove. The Milwaukee area section for D2 is always tough and KML definitely showed they will be a contender this fall.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Chippewa Falls with a big win over Freedom to advance to the finals of the <a href="https://x.com/Hales__Yeah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hales__Yeah</a> Division. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDSizzle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDSizzle</a> This squad has a ton of firepower! <a href="https://t.co/zImC2oBh9H">pic.x.com/zImC2oBh9H</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1415711837136564234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Chippewa Falls The Cardinals from the Big Rivers Conference in Western Wisconsin are going to win a lot of matches this year and have the potential to dethrone River Falls who have been at the top of the BRC for years as well as five consecutive state tournaments. A gritty and athletic squad will rely on a variety of attackers, but [player_tooltip player_id="149694" first="Samantha" last="Perlberg"] is a 2022 outside hitter that needs to be on the radar of college coaches. She is just under six feet tall, but has a high IQ of shot selections, can play all the way around, and knows how to come up big in big moments.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🔥T O P P E R F O R M E R S 🔥 Holmen is putting up some stellar standouts at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDSizzle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDSizzle</a> <a href="https://t.co/4HTGA8tIM6">pic.x.com/4HTGA8tIM6</a> — Prep Dig Circuit (@PDCircuit) <a href="https://x.com/PDCircuit/status/1415731532594089987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Holmen Holmen brought two teams where both had a great Day 2 with the Maroon squad winning their bracket and the White squad finishing second in theirs. Holmen has the ball control with Senior leader [player_tooltip player_id="118261" first="Ellie" last="Kline"] as the libero who is a major spark, but [player_tooltip player_id="117342" first="Mara" last="Schmidt"] on the pin provides consistency with her swing and is a dependable six rotation outside. They scored two big wins over Milwaukee area teams in Cedarburg and Pewaukee, making a statement they will be one who could crash the part of the D1 Madison sectional this fall.   Other Noteworthy Teams To Watch Manitowoc Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id="57260" first="Mary" last="Satori"] (Minnesota-Duluth) is back and will have plenty of swings, but the Ships showed they will be a huge contender to win the FRCC this fall.   Wisconsin Lutheran - After a tough Day 1, Wisco bounced back Day 2 with a huge win over Lakeside Lutheran and have a gritty defense that will keep them in plenty of matches. When they get a full lineup back and healthy they will be very dangerous.   Hortonville - The Polar Bears had a tough Day 1, but bounced back to finish runner-up in the Annie Drews Division. [player_tooltip player_id="91936" first="Molly" last="Rohde"] is going to have a major presence this fall as a middle blocker as she is so active along the net and finds ways to score.   Caledonia (MN) - Caledonia came from Southeast Minnesota where the volleyball talent is plentiful where their local teams consistently send teams to the state tournament and perform well. With commits heading to Viterbo they showed plenty of promise competing against top teams in Wisconsin.