Mosinee, Marathon spearhead area programs to watch in postseason
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Postseason volleyball is among us and Central Wisconsin is typically well-represented at the WIAA state volleyball tournament with Stevens Point and Newman Catholic the most recent programs to compete for a gold ball in 2025.
This year, we have a handful of area teams entering the tournament aiming to make a mark as top seeds once play begins Tuesday, Oct. 20.
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Here is a look at every high school team within or around Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids that earned a playoff bid, including game information for Tuesday.
Additionally, take a look at 10 of our picks of programs we feel have the best shot at a run to the WIAA state volleyball Tournament at the Resch Center.
No. 1 seed Mosinee: Mosinee rolls into postseason play highly regarded as one of Central Wisconsin’s premier teams in the Division 2 side of the bracket. The Indians once again claimed the Great Northern conference for the fourth consecutive season, amid that stretch the Indians have gone 44-1 in league play. Mosinee will see its first set of postseason action against the winner of Tuesday’s match between Mauston and Rhinelander.
No. 2 Merrill: The Blue Jays await the winner of the match between Medford Vs Waupaca after earning a top-seed and first round bye. Merrill beat Shawano Community in the first round last season but fell in the following round to Mosinee. They are hoping to piece together a deeper run after finishing 2026 with a 19-10 overall record.
No. 1 Marathon: In 2026, Marathon opened the season winning eight consecutive matches and finished the season winning nine straight en route to a 27-3 overall record. The Red Raiders also finished out last season losing in the second round of playoffs, but will enter the 2026 tournament as a top seed. Marathon is set to meet the winner of Nekoosa Vs Clintonville on Thursday.
No. 3 Adams-Friendship: The Green Devils are one of the most dangerous teams in the Division 3 side of the tournament bracket. With the likely back-to-back conference player of the year in Piper Moyer and the momentum of having just snagged their first conference title in 25 seasons, the Green Devils will have something to prove once the action begins and they meet the winner of Westfield Vs Wautoma.
No. 1 Edgar: Edgar snagged back-to-back Marawood Conference titles this season after finishing 23-7 and unbeaten in league play. It helped the Wildcats snag a top seed in the Division 4 side of the tournament bracket. The Wildcats are chasing the first WIAA state tournament appearance since 2003 and await the winner of Washburn Vs. Thorp.
No. 2 Wittenberg-Birnamwood: Wittenberg-Birnamwood posted their third consecutive 20-win season in 2026 en route to earning a top seed in the Division 3 side of the bracket. The Chargers are hoping to string together another deep postseason run just four years removed from their first state appearance in program history. The Chargers will face the winner of Tomahawk Vs. Weyauwega-Fremont.
No. 3 Stratford: Stratford, on the Division 3 side of the bracket, fell just short of snagging their fourth consecutive 20-win season after finishing with a 19-3 overall record. The efforts helped the Tigers snag a top seed in the tournament as they seek its first return to Green Bay since back-to- back first-ever trips to state in 2017 and 2018. The Tigers are lined up to meet the winner of Regis Vs. Westby.
No. 1 Pacelli: Pacelli earned another conference title in 2026 but are still chasing their first-ever WIAA state tournament appearance. The Cardinals finished the 2026 season 20-9 and unbeaten in the Central Wisconsin South. They’ll face the winner of Melrose-Mindoro and Prairie Du Chien.
No. 1 Columbus Catholic: Columbus Catholic is only two years removed from their first-ever WIAA state appearance in 2024 in which they fell in the state championship match, while making history in the process. While Columbus Catholic won the conference in 2025, they fell in the second round of the postseason to McDonnell Central. This year they’ll ride into their match against the winner of Alma/Pepin vs. Eleva-Strum with more experience and a higher seed.
No. 3 Auburndale: Auburndale has not made an appearance in the WIAA state volleyball tournament since 2013 and are hoping their top seed in 2026 can help pave a path of glory for the Eagles this postseason. The Eagles finished the 2026 season 28-9, including an 11-game winning streak in the middle of the regular season. Thanks to those efforts, the Eagles await the winner of Boscobel Vs. Cashton.
Division 1:
Division 1 — WIAA Volleyball Playoffs
Thursday, Oct. 22 — 7 p.m.
No. 12 Eau Claire North at No. 5 Marshfield
No. 9 Wausau West at No. 8 Appleton North
No. 12 Green Bay Preble at No. 5 Stevens Point
No. 13 Wausau East at No. 4 D.C. Everest
No. 11 Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln at No. 6 Ashwaubenon
Division 2:
Top seeds (1st round byes): No. 1 seed Mosinee, No. 2 Merrill
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — 7 p.m.
No. 7 Medford at No. 10 Waupaca
Division 3:
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — 7 p.m.:
Top seeds (1st round byes): No. 1 Marathon, No. 3 Adams-Friendship, No. 2 Wittenberg-Birnamwood, No. 3 Stratford
No. 9 Nekoosa at No. 8 Clintonville
No. 12 Menominee Nation at No. 5 Amherst
No. 7 Weyauwega-Fremont at No. 10 Tomahawk
No. 9 Durand-Arkansaw at No. 8 Neillsville
No. 12 Colby at No. 5 Mondovi
Division 4:
Top seeds (1st round byes): No. 1 Pacelli, No. 1 Columbus Catholic, No. 3 Auburndale, No. 1 Edgar
Tuesday, Oct. 20 — 7 p.m.:
No. 7 Plum City/Elmwood at No. 10 Loyal
No. 11 Chequamegon at No. 6 Newman Catholic
No. 7 Spencer at No. 10 Abbotsford
No. 9 Coleman at No. 8 Tri-County
Thursday, Oct. 22 — 7 p.m.
No. 4 Manawa at No. 5 Iola-Scandinavia
No. 5 Brookwood at No. 4 Pittsville
Division 5:
Tuesday, Oct. 22 — 7 p.m.
Top seeds (1st round byes): No. 2 Athens
No. 9 Northland Lutheran at No. 8 Providence Academy (Green Bay)
No. 7 Rosholt at No. 10 Faith Christian Academy
No. 9 Assumption at No. 8 Almond-Bancroft
No. 11 Port Edwards at #6 New Lisbon
Thursday, Oct. 22 — 7 p.m.
No. 5 Owen-Withee vs. No. 4 Hillsboro
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Mosinee, Marathon spearhead area programs to watch in postseason