Check out the top high school boys volleyball players in Wisconsin

The 2024 high school boys volleyball season is underway as programs attempt to qualify for the annual WIAA state tournament at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon beginning Nov. 6, one day before the girls tournament begins. This season marks the 24th state tournament since it was brought back in 2000 after a nearly 20-year hiatus.

Below is a look at 26 of the top players in the state of Wisconsin this season, all of whom made the all-conference team in their region or made both the all-conference team and the all-state team.

Ben Bayer, OH, Jr., Sussex Hamilton

Older brother Max may have gone off to college, but the Chargers still have another star with the last name Bayer. Ben Bayer was an all-Greater Metro Conference second-teamer last season as a sophomore, helping the Chargers get within one game of the state tournament. The Chargers were one of the best teams in the state a season ago with Max and Matteo Morgano, and the younger Bayer will look to help the Chargers play at an elite level.

Braden Borchardt, OH, Jr., New Berlin United

Borchardt was one of two sophomores named to the all-Woodland West first team roster last season and was named an all-state honorable mention member. He helped lead New Berlin to an 18-win season and a 6-1 mark in the Woodland Conference last season as a sophomore.

Jayce Brechtl, S/Opp, Jr., Waterford

Waterford enters its third season of boys volleyball with a number of returning players who could make a difference in this season’s Southern Lakes Conference title game. Brechtl, who was named to the conference’s second-team setter last season, is one of those key returnees for the Wolverines as a program leader for coach Cherie Phelan.

Liam Devine, OH, Jr., West Allis Hale

The other sophomore to make the Woodland West first team was Devine, who was named to the team along with teammate Ashton Poritz. Devine recorded 224 kills, 100 digs and 19 aces as a sophomore for the West Allis co-op, playing in just 23 games last season. He’ll be a name to watch in the coming seasons.

Caden Eichner, S, Sr., Union Grove

Eichner was named to the all-Southern Lakes Conference first team and all-state honorable mention after helping the Broncos reach the state tournament as a junior setter. He collected 945 total assists, breaking the school record for most in a single season.

Will Fruth, MB, sr., Pewaukee

Fruth’s first season as a varsity starter resulted in him being named to the all-Woodland West first team with teammate Logan Mainka as a junior last season. The duo helped the Pirates to an 18-9 mark last season.

Isaac Gabel, L, Sr., Waukesha West

The Wolverines lose two all-Classic 8 Conference first-team stars Carsyn Stringfellow and Ryan Richter to graduation, but gain a key piece in Gabel. The then-junior was named to the all-Classic 8 second team in the midst of a 23-win season for the Wolverines, including a 4-2 mark in the conference behind the Waukesha Fusion co-op and back-to-back state runner-up Arrowhead. His 337 digs led the conference last season.

Oakley Griggs, S/RH, Sr., Germantown

After a run of seven state tournament appearances in nine seasons from 2011-19, the Warhawks haven’t made it to the Resch Center since 2019. That could change this season with the return of a player like Griggs. The 6-foot-5 hitter was named second-team all-Greater Metro Conference and all-state honorable mention last year as a junior. It’s a grind against the top teams in the GMC and surrounding area, but Griggs and the Warhawks could be a team to watch in 2024.

Owen Hirthe, OH, Sr., South Milwaukee Cooperative

The departure of Ethan Jetzer leaves a big hole in South Milwaukee’s rotation for this season, but the return of Hirthe helps to narrow the gap. Hirthe had 202 total kills last season during the Rockets’ run to the state tournament en route to a first-team runner-up finish at Woodland East.

Liam Houston, OH, Sr., Waukesha Cooperative

The Fusion was one of the most exciting teams in the region a season ago, leading to a state tournament berth. Despite some key losses among the starters, all-Classic 8 Conference honorable mention Houston returns to the rotation to provide a boost to coach Joe Banske’s team. “He’s going to be the link between what we’ve accomplished in the past and what we want to accomplish this season,” Banske said.

Michael Janssen, MH, Sr., Kimberly

Janssen did a little bit of everything for the Papermakers en route to the state semifinals last season as a junior. He was named all-state honorable mention and all-Fox Valley Association second team after a season that included 229 kills and 80 blocks.

Owen Krause, OH, Sr., Kimberly

Janssen’s teammate was a Swiss Army knife for coach Matthew Seidl’s group as a junior. Krause was also named to the all-state honorable mention list and to the all-FVA first team after a season in which he recorded 285 kills, 203 digs and 50 aces. Kimberly’s duo could have them right in the hunt for a state title again this season.

Max Larscheid, MH, Sr., Marquette

It wouldn’t be a list of the best players in the state without a member of Marquette’s program. The Hilltoppers are the gold standard in the sport, and the talent pool continues to flow this season with the return of Max Larcheid. The three-time varsity letter winner was an all-Greater Metro Conference first team member as a junior and an all-state honorable mention representative.

Jackson Loewe, OH, Sr., Fond du Lac

He may be a libero for the prestigious Milwaukee Sting travel program, but in the high school ranks, Loewe returns as one of the most versatile players in the state. He has led the Fondy program in digs the past three seasons and in kills the past two. Loewe was named to the all-Fox Valley Association first team as a junior and was also named to the all-state honorable mention list.

Liam Lubkeman, MH, Sr., Westosha Central

Lubkeman is hard to miss on the basketball or volleyball court. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound center forward made the all-state honorable mention list last season as a junior with 211 kills and 76 blocks. He helped the Falcons pull within one game of reaching the state tournament. Falcons coach Drew Cox is excited about his senior class led by Lubkeman, a class that could take them back to state for the third time since 2020.

Logan Mainka, OH, Sr., Pewaukee

The Pirates are looking to build on an 18-win campaign last year, and Mainka’s return could help them do just that. The two-time all-Woodland West player was also named to the all-state honorable mention list for the second straight season as a junior. Chasing a Woodland Conference title can be fun all year long. Don’t pass up the Pirates this season.

Aaron Martin, S, Sr., South Milwaukee Cooperative

Rockets coach Tyler Cicigoi gets two big pieces with Hirthe and the return of captain Aaron Martin for his senior season. Martin was named to the all-Woodland East first team and all-state honorable mention list after a junior season that included 742 assists (ninth in the state) and 48 blocks.

Aleksey Mikhailenko, OH, Jr., Homestead

Highlanders coach Tom Scherrer said you could argue that Mikhailenko is the best player in the state. If you look at Mikhailenko’s numbers, Scherrer might be right. As a sophomore, Mikhailenko had 405 kills, 121 digs and 74 aces. He was also named to the all-North Shore Conference first team and all-state third team. Add in returning senior Justin Bliesner (173 kills, 85 blocks) and Homestead could be a dangerous program this season with the best player in the state on their side.

Roberts Osis, OH, Sr., Nicolet

One of the most intriguing programs in the area and the state could be Nicolet, which returns three all-North Shore Conference first-teamers to coach Brad Kuehl’s rotation. First on that list is Osis, who helped the Knights win the North Shore title last season from the outside en route to an 18-win season. Osis was also named to the all-state honorable mention list.

Henry Possell, OH, Sr., Madison West

Not many players had as productive a season as Possell last year in the Madison area. The then-junior was named to the all-Big 8 Conference first team and all-state honorable mention list after a season that saw him record 237 kills, 155 digs, 44 aces and 27 blocks. He’ll certainly be in contention for the conference’s player of the year award this season with another campaign like that.

Nathan Ramus, OH, Jr., Appleton North

Lightning coach Mike Maass has never had a shortage of talent in his program, and that continues through 2024 with the return of Nathan Ramus. The three-sport athlete plans to play basketball at the next level, but his volleyball career has been productive. He was named to the Fox Valley Association second team as a sophomore with 301 kills. “Nathan is a special athlete who can excel in any sport he chooses to play,” Maass said.

Oliver Scharnick, RH, Sr., Nicolet

The second of the three Knights is Scharnick, Nicolet’s imposing right-side hitter. With Osis and Scharnick, the Knights went 6-2 in conference play last season and won a regional matchup. It’s been 14 seasons since the Knights have been on the state tournament stage. Scharnick could help end that drought this season.

Tanner Sindorf, L, Sr., Kettle Moraine

Sindorf was named the Classic 8 Conference’s top libero as a junior, helping the Lasers reach the state tournament for the ninth time in program history and the fourth time since 2019. “Tanner is a player who leads by example,” coach Elliott Van Dyke said.

Danny Torres, S, sr., Nicolet

The third of Nicolet’s three-man returning attack is Torres, who was named the North Shore Conference’s Player of the Year and third-team all-state as a setter last season. Torres was one of two non-seniors (Aleksey Mikhailenko) named to one of three all-state rosters last season.

David Warren, S, Sr., Brookfield East

Brookfield East hasn’t qualified for state since 2019, but with its setter back on the roster, coach Andy Nosbusch expects big things from his all-Greater Metro Conference second-teamer. “His love for the game is obvious,” Nosbusch said. “Not only is he a great player, but he makes everyone around him better by the way he pushes himself to be better.”

Miles Weaver, OH, Sr., Neenah

Weaver returns from a monster junior campaign in which he had 273 kills, 198 digs and 51 aces in his second season as a starter for the Rockets. He was named to the all-Fox Valley Association first team and will be named captain for the second straight season, according to coach Jake Coenen.