UW-Oshkosh volleyball team picked to win WIAC; Blugolds tabbed to finish fifth

MADISON — The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has been tabbed to secure its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s volleyball regular-season championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire team is pegged to finish fifth in the WIAC, while the University of Wisconsin-Stout has been voted to end the season in seventh place in the conference.

The Titans won the 14th regular-season title in program archives a year ago and completed the 2023 campaign with a 37-2 record. UW-Oshkosh started the season with 34 consecutive victories — a WIAC record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time since 2009. Five starters are back, including three (Abby Fregien, Riley Kindt, Sami Perlberg) that claimed All-WIAC first team honors. Fregien claimed WIAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2022.

UW-Whitewater is slotted for second in conference poll and has won 18 regular-season titles and 18 tournament crowns — both marks are a WIAC high. The Warhawks welcome back five starters, including Jenna Weinfurt and Aubrie Krzus. Weinfurt was selected the WIAC Offensive Player of the Year last year, while Krzus secured Newcomer of the Year honors.

UW-Stevens Point is picked to place third in the conference standings. The Pointers own five regular-season championships and have six starters returning, including Ashley Kopp. She was tabbed the WIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2021 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Kopp is third in school history with 1,668 career kills and seventh with 1,215 career digs. The kills mark is 10th on the conference’s all-time list.

The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-Platteville; UW-Eau Claire; UW-River Falls; UW-Stout; and UW-La Crosse.

WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Aug. 30, while the conference slate will launch on Oct. 4. The top-six teams in the league standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Nov. 12, 14 and 16, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.

2024 Preseason Predictions—Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors2023 Record

1. UW-Oshkosh (37-2 overall, 7-0 WIAC)

2. UW-Whitewater (28-5, 6-1)

3. UW-Stevens Point (23-11, 3-4)

4. UW-Platteville (21-8, 5-2)

5. UW-Eau Claire (16-14, 3-4)

6. UW-River Falls (20-10, 3-4)

7. UW-Stout (17-7, 1-6)

8. UW-La Crosse (16-15, 0-7)

Area Team Capsules

UW-Eau ClaireHead Coach: Kim Wudi; 17th season at UWEC; 379-170

Letter winners Returning/Lost: 10/9

Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3

Returning All-WIAC: None

Notable Returning Players: Darienne Andre, Junior, MB; Mya Cinnamo, Sophomore., OH; Lili Hagg, Sophomore, MB; Bailey Leeke, Jr., RS

UW-La CrosseHead Coach: Deb Sazama; 5th season (2nd at UWL); 67-56 (overall) / 16-15 (UWL)

Letter winners Returning/Lost: 12/5

Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3

Returning All-WIAC: Gabby Johnson, Senior, OH (2022-Honorable)

Notable Returning Players: Justine Bastyr, Senior, RS; Grace Nommensen, Sophomore, S; Jackie Oetterer, Senior., S; Reese Yocum, Junior, OH

UW-StoutHead Coach: Ben Staupe; 6th season (3rd at UWST); 45-111 (overall) / 29-23 (UWST)

Letter winners Returning/Lost: 12/4

Starters Returning/Lost: 4/3

Returning All-WIAC: Brynn Hessel, Sophomore, MH; Terrah Moshier, Senior., DS (2023-Defensive)

Notable Returning Players: Maja Anderson, Junior, DS; Kennedy Barrett, Senior., S; Kailey Kline, Sophomore, DS; Brooke McCune, Junior, MH