The 2027 setter who preps at Westosha Central and plays her club ball for Sky High out of Crystal Lake, Illinois has given her verbal to play at Arkansas-Little Rock.  Her length and athleticism will translate well to the next level.  She has been a leader for Central and has played on the open level courts at Sky High.  Arkansas-Little Rock is a new member of the Ohio Valley Conference where they finished 16-15 during the 2025 season.  She’ll look to close out a successful career at Westosha Central this fall where she heads into her season with over 2,000 assists. 

One of the top setters out of the Wisconsin Class of 2027 is Sky High ‘s Payton Scifres Payton Scifres 6'1" | S Westosha Central | 2027 State WI .  She has length, athleticism, and a physicality at the net that poses problems for opponents.  She was out with an injury during the 2025 club season and is coming back with a vengeance.  What makes her tough to defend is how she is so neutral when she receives the ball, making her tough to read.  This Sky High team already has a bid to Indy in July for USAV nationals, but they will now look for an upgrade and play some high level competition in 17 Open this weekend. 

Payton Scifres Payton Scifres 6'1" | S Westosha Central | 2027 State WI is bound for a major breakout season for Sky High in the Northern Chicago suburbs.  She is back after a strong high school season following a shoulder injury which kept her out of the 2025 club season.  At 6’1 Scifres has the height and length to compete at a high level.  She’s dynamic to say the least.  When the time is right she can be offensive scoring points and provides a big block.  College coaches will get to see her on the courts for a Sky High group that are the USAV 16s National Division Champions. 

Payton is the #1 ranked athlete in the class of 2027, and for good reason. She runs the court like a well-oiled machine, and she was looking confident and savvy at the Stock Up Showcase. Payton led her team on a deep run in the playoffs last season, and if her high-level volleyball IQ and placement of her sets from the Stock Up Showcase are any indication, she is only coming back stronger and more motivated than ever. What makes Payton so dangerous is her all-around game: she is a solid defender and has an offensive mindset.

There’s a reason Payton Scifres Payton Scifres 6'1" | S Westosha Central | 2027 State WI sits at No. 1 in the state—her game checks every box for a college-caliber setter. At 6’0”, she brings size and reach that immediately impact the block, but it’s her decision-making and offensive command that separate her. She runs a fast, fluid tempo, consistently delivering clean, hittable balls to every zone, even when pulled off the net. Payton reads the defense early, disguises her sets to freeze blockers, and knows exactly when to go over on two to steal a point. Her ability to adjust in transition, locate in-system dimes, and keep her hitters in rhythm shows a high volleyball IQ and the poise to run the show in pressure moments. This is a setter who doesn’t just set the ball—she controls the match.~Theresa @prepdigdakotas

https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/payton_scifres?video=5291076

There’s a reason Payton is ranked number one in the state — her talent speaks for itself. She delivers dimes on repeat and brings an impressive level of consistency to every match. Her height gives her a major edge at the net, whether she’s taking it over on two or putting up a strong, reliable block. She’s an all-around threat and a high-level setter who continues to prove why she’s at the top.

Payton is the #1 ranked athlete in the class of 2027. She is a high-IQ setter who moves the ball around with incredible efficiency. Payton is a leader on the court who orchestrates every offensive move for her team. She is a steady leader on the court who plays with consistent competitiveness. Payton never misses a beat on the court and runs a very fast-tempo offense.

Payton is a setter who continually elevates not only her own game but also those around her. She has high, quick contact on the ball and is very hard to read. Her quick decision-making, quick feet, and discipline on the court set her apart. She is very well-balanced and runs the court efficiently. She had over 700 assists this season and was All-State Honorable Mention for Division 1. Her great stats only tell half the story of Payton’s game.

In her second year at the helm of running a 5-1 she reached her 1,000 assists. To reach that in her 130th set is impressive. She’s averaging 8.4 assists per set and is finding her hitters in and out of system. She’s also hitting .306

Payton is a dynamic setter who improves every time I see her play. She is disciplined, smart, and has an incredibly high volleyball IQ. She runs the offense for Westosha Central and has a great connection with each of her hitters. She is very tough to read, especially when she is on the move.