Welcome to the Upper Midwest Regional Rankings. A lot has happened since the beginning of the season that feels so long ago. Let’s see who from Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
1. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Miwaukee, Wisconsin)
Record: 41-1
Impact Wins: Oconomowoc (x3), Manitowoc Lincoln (x2), Skutt Catholic (NE), Assumption (KY)
Notes: Outside of a single loss to Nationally Ranked Mother Mcauley, DSHA has been fantastic this year, dropping just 11 sets over 42 matches. Anchoring the offense, senior Creighton commit Sophia Wendlick and junior Wisconsin pledge Madison Quest are approaching a combined 1,000 kills on the season. Belmont signee and junior setter Jordan Czajkowski is also approaching 1,000 assists on the season.
2. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minnesota)
Record: 28-0
Impact Wins: Lakeville North (x2), Champlin Park, East Ridge, Northfield, Delano
Notes: The undefeated Trojans are led by sisters and Minnesota commits Olivia and Stella Swenson, who offer up a one-two punch of attacking and setting. The natural synergy is a catalyst for the Wayzata offense, bolstered in the back court by senior libero Bianca Nistor, a UCSB commit.
3. Oconomowoc (Wisconsin)
Record: 36-3
Impact Wins: Appleton North (x2), Xavier, Arrowhead, Indian Trail
Notes: The Raccoons have been on a roll this season, currently on an eight-game streak, with losses only to the top team in the region, Divine Savior Holy Angels. Most recently, Oconomowoc finished regular season play with sweeps over Union Grove, Menomonee Falls, Kettle Moraine, and Indian Trail. Senior Troy commit Olivia Kwiatkowski leads the team in kills, and earned a total of 33 kills in a single day.
4. Hudsonville (Michigan)
Record: 38-2
Impact Wins: Northville, North Branch, Byron Center (x2), Mattawan, Grand Rapids Christian, Rockford, Jenison (x2)
Notes: The 38-win Eagles have looked great this season, picking up a handful of high-impact wins with just a pair of losses, both in the same day. We have to give major props to senior San Diego State pledge Gianna Bender, who has been a big factor behind the ten-foot line and is a pair of digs away from 500 on the season.
5. North Branch (Michigan)
Record: 41-4-1
Impact Wins: Rockford, Henry Clay (KY), Hamilton (WI), Jenison (x2), Lowell, Joliet Catholic (IL)
Notes: North Branch notched some solid out-of-state wins this season, putting them…