Here are the top 21 volleyball players to watch in Manitowoc/Sheboygan areas
High school volleyball teams across Manitowoc and Sheboygan will be starting new seasons on Aug. 22, including the Howards Grove Tigers which look to win a fifth-straight state championship.
With that in mind, here are the top 21 players to watch across Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties in alphabetical order.
Olivia Baierl, sr., Howards Grove
Baierl returns after being named unanimous first team Big East-Blue as a junior for the four-time reigning Division 3 state champions.
Lindsey Culligan, sr., Roncalli
Culligan earned honorable mention all-Eastern Wisconsin Conference last season. “I expect Lindsay to lead us in digs again this year and lead in digs for the conference,” said Roncalli coach Ashlee Johnston.
Makayla Dallas, jr., Valders
Dallas was named as a first team all-EWC pick last season.
Grace Fruzen, sr., Manitowoc Lincoln
Fruzen, a three-year starter, was chosen as first team all-Fox River Classic Conference as a junior in addition to honorable mention all-state. She is committed to NCAA Division II Upper Iowa.
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Olivia Funkhouser, sr., Kiel
Funkhouser was an honorable mention all-EWC pick last season, but Kiel coach Megan Kautzer thinks she could be first team as a senior. “My expectations for her are to continue to be a leader for not only for the varsity team, but the whole program as she's been on varsity since her freshmen year,” Kautzer said. “I'd for her to have fun, do the hard work, and leave it all in the court.”
Mallory Gozdziewski, sr., Howards Grove
Gozdziewski earned second team Big East-Blue honors a season ago.
Mercedes Grimm, so., Reedsville
Grimm is back for the Reedsville Panthers coming of an honorable mention Big East-Red season as a freshman. “She is a tireless worker on the court and is always looking for ways to better herself and those around her” said Reedsville coach Nick Hanson. “She played a big role in her freshmen season as a varsity setter and middle hitter and I see her playing a very similar role this year as well. If she can build on what she established last season, she will exceed any expectations I have. Ultimately, Mercedes makes her teammates better and is always striving to be better.”
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Laurin Hamann, sr., Manitowoc Lincoln
Hamann was named second team all-FRCC last season as well as honorable mention all-state. She is committed to NCAA Division II St. Cloud State.
Kaylee Hlinak, jr., Mishicot
“Kaylee Hlinak to once again be our offensive leader at the net,” said Mishicot coach Krissy Swanson. “She led the team in kills and kills/set last season, and she looks to build on her versatility as an all-around player. She has a passion for volleyball that is contagious, and she is such a fun player to watch.” She was named honorable mention Big East-Red last season.
Elle Kennedy, sr., Howards Grove
Kennedy earned second team Big East-Blue honors during her junior season.
Julie Koeppel, sr., Mishicot
“Julie Koeppel led our team in blocks and hitting percentage, and she was third on the team in kills,” Swanson said. “She is an athletic individual who we expect to be at or near the top of the list in blocks, aces, and kills this season.” Koeppel made second team Big East-Red as a junior.
Marissa Mehlhorn, so., Manitowoc Lutheran
Mehlhorn was a unanimous first team Big East-Red pick as a freshman and Manitowoc Lutheran coach Lacey Behnke has high expectation for this season. “Marissa has worked hard on the offseason to improve her skills,” Behnke said. “I expect her to give some teams trouble with her blocking and also with her outside attack. Marissa has grown her volleyball IQ and we look forward to her being one of the leaders for us this fall.”
Kenley Mortenson, so., Sheboygan Falls
Last season as a freshman, Mortenson was named second team all-EWC.
Grace Mueller, sr., Roncalli
“I’m expecting Grace Mueller to lead our team in kills and blocks,” Johnston said. “She will be playing outside for us this year so that we can get her the ball more.” She was second team EWC as a junior.
Natalie Nickolai, so., Sheboygan Falls
Nickolai made honorable mention all-EWC as a freshman for the Sheboygan Falls Falcons.
Addison Schliewe, jr., Sheboygan Falls
Schliewe earned honorable mention all-EWC honors last season.
Tara Schmitz, sr., Cedar Grove-Belgium
Schmitz was first team Big East-Blue a season ago. “She is and has been our team captain and leader for the last three years,” said Cedar Grove-Belgium coach Sharon Stellwagen. “She plays (middle blocker) but is going to be one of our 6-2 setters as well. She did this combination two seasons ago so this is not new to her. Tara is one of those players that is the complete player. I look forward to the season with her as our leader.”
Jenna Soerens, sr., Oostburg
Soerens was named honorable mention Big East-Blue during her junior season.
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Peri Subat, sr, Sheboygan Falls
Subat returns for her final season for the Falcons coming off a unanimous first team all-EWC selection.
Nena Swoboda, sr., Manitowoc Lincoln
Swoboda, a three-year starter, earned first team all-FRCC honors as a junior and was also honorable mention all-state.
Maddie York, sr., Manitowoc Lincoln
First team FRCC and co-player of the year in the conference as a junior. A three-year varsity starter, York was also first team all-state and has committed to NCAA DII Northern Michigan.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: The top 21 volleyball players to watch in Manitowoc and Sheboygan areas
