Oak Creek took a hit to graduation after the 2025 state tournament, but they have reloaded and relied on some returners like Payton Nelson Payton Nelson 4'11" | DS/L/S Oak Creek | 2027 State WI .  Nelson is a senior libero who is committed to UW-Whitewater.  She  has averaged 4.4 digs per set, she is on track to pass 500 digs in a season.  She also has 121 assists and nearly 50 assist this year.

Gritty, scrappy, all the things you want in a libero.  Payton Nelson Payton Nelson 4'11" | DS/L/S Oak Creek | 2027 State WI of Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold might just be a hair under five feet tall, but her game is big.  I was able to watch her live for Oak Creek High School, playing in the large school division of the Wisconsin State Tournament.  She has a strong platform, quick feet, and is able to anticipate well where she can beat the ball to the spot.

Payton plays with a high volleyball IQ, seeing the game a step ahead and reading hitters like a book. She’s a rock in serve receive, delivering dime passes that put her setters in a perfect spot. Quick, scrappy, and always on the move, Payton makes defensive plays that swing momentum in her team’s favor.

Payton has to be one of the most high-energy, high-impact liberos that I have seen on the court. She is relentlessly positive, lightning fast, and has rock-solid fundamentals. Her serve receive is great, she is scrappy on defense, and takes control of the back court. Payton is confident in her abilities and leadership, which had a massive positive impact, especially when playing with new people, like at the Showcase. What really stood out about Payton was her ability to read and react on the court. She noticed all the small details, like where the other defenders on her team were, and constantly made adjustments to help cover extra space to give her hitters more offensive opportunities.