9 WiscNews-area girls volleyball players to watch in 2024 (2024)

The Fall River girls volleyball team won 30 straight games last season but fell short of the WIAA state championship with a loss in the Division 4 semifinals.

The Pirates return all but one graduating senior, and coach Laura Trautmann expects to contend for another state tournament appearance and another Trailways West Conference title. Senior Hannah Dietzenbach is expected to step into a leadership role and use her experiences and skills to guide the team to its goals.

Here are nine girls volleyball players to know for the 2024 season.

Tabitha Buwalda, Sr., Central Wisconsin Christian

Position: Outside hitter

Impact: Tabitha Buwalda was a second-team All-Trailways East Conference player with 34 aces, 251 digs, six solo blocks and a team-leading 201 kills.

Quotable: “Tabitha Buwalda is the most important player on the court for us,” CWC coach Dan TenNapel said. “She is in every receive and will probably lead us in hitting attempts as well. She is a great leader and team captain, who the girls look up to.”

Hannah Dietzenbach, Sr., Fall River

Position: Middle

Impact: Hannah Dietzenbach was third in the Trailways West Conference with 352 kills and had a .341 hitting percentage. She was a first-team all-conference and honorable mention All-State player.

Quotable: “Hannah has worked hard on her game,” Trautmann said. “Her strong play will be key to the success of our team.”

Clara Dykstra, Sr., Horicon

Position: Defensive specialist/outside hitter

Impact: Clara Dykstra finished with 20 kills, 26 assists, 68 aces and 284 digs.

Quotable: “Clara is a smart volleyball player,” Horicon coach Tara Boehmer said. “She knows the game well, has the ability to read and adjust quickly. She is positive and a great teammate. She is a leader on and off the court, and I can’t wait to see what she brings this year.”

Natalie Field, Sr., Wisconsin Dells

Position: Middle hitter

Impact: Natalie Field was a first-team All-South Central Conference player with 124 kills and 42 blocks.

Quotable: “Natalie is one of those seniors that have been locked into what we’re trying to do with this program since Day 1,” Wisconsin Dells coach Taylor Preston said. “She is competitive, has the drive to improve her game, physicality and mentality, and is a strong leader. Her blocking form, hitting routes and power have improved immensely this summer and she will be a big part of any success we experience this year, at the net and as a leader.”

Kassidy McCaffery, Sr., Poynette

Position: Outside hitter

Impact: Kassidy McCaffery is a four-year varsity starter who led the team with 204 kills, 45 aces and 316 digs last season as a first-team All-Capitol North Conference player.

Quote: “Kassidy is one of the most coachable players I have worked with,” Poynette coach Jesse Atkins said. “Determined to improve, she seeks out tips and tricks from her coaches and always strives to make her teammates better. All of this translates into a ridiculously smart player on the court who will make the right decision to score the next point or put our team in the best position to win.”

Maddi Quist, Sr., Mauston

Position: Outside hitter/defensive specialist

Impact:Maddi Quist had 152 kills, 53 aces and 162 digs last season.

Quotable: “Maddi has been an integral team member and contributor to our program's success over the past three years,” Mauston coach Rachel Peer said. “Her greatest attributes are her knowledge of the game, willingness to put in the hard work, and her continued drive to better her game.”

Tessa Reed, So., Randolph

Position: Setter

Impact:Tessa Reed was a second-team All-Trailways West Conference selection last season, finishing 20th in the state with 878 assists.

Quotable: "Tessa's importance to this team is pretty remarkable considering she (was) just a freshman,” Randolph coach Jeff Kohlbeck said. “She is one of the top setters in our conference and the state. She is also one of our top hitters, passers and our best server. Her knowledge of the game has improved so much since last year and she is extremely coachable. I expect her to have a great sophomore season. It's pretty exciting to think what she will be in three years. She already had a number of colleges looking at her."

Greta Shadewald, Sr., Sauk Prairie

Position: Setter

Impact: Greta Shadewald finished with 859 assists and 78 aces and was a first-team All-Badger Small Conference player while earning honorable mention All-State honors.

Quotable: “Greta is a huge piece of our success,” Sauk Prairie coach Allison Steinmetz said. “Her knowledge of the game, all-around volleyball skills and dedication is to never quit. It’s what sets her apart from other setters.”

Ava Vande Zande, Jr., Waupun

Position: Outside hitter

Impact:Ava Vande Zande was second on the team last season with 197 kills along with 16 blocks, 119 digs and 33 aces.

Quotable: “Ava has started for Waupun since she was a freshman. She’s taken a significant step forward each year,” Waupun coach Chris Harmsen said. “After switching from middle blocker to outside hitter at the beginning of last season, Ava was an offensive force throughout last year. Now as an upperclassman, we will look to Ava to lead the offense with a new setter. With a matured volleyball IQ to go with her already powerful swing, Ava will be our go-to option to find the floor when we need points.”

Schools in the WiscNews coverage area are: Beaver Dam, Waupun, Columbus, Dodgeland, Horicon, Hustisford, Fall River, Rio, Randolph, Cambria-Friesland, Wayland Academy, Central Wisconsin Christian, Portage, Poynette, Pardeeville, Lodi, Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells and Mauston.