The gym is silent. The crowd is lined with hundreds of people waiting to see the final moments of the game. The only sound that can be heard is the faint breathing of the server and her feet as they approach the ball. Every. Serve. Counts. Not only is winning important, but Wayzata has a big reputation to uphold.

Wayzata High School is known for winning numerous state athletic titles each year, so the expectations are high. The girls’ volleyball program won state in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Following graduation, players have continued playing volleyball at schools such as the University of Minnesota, UC Santa Barbara, and Rutgers University. Now, all eyes are on who will continue their volleyball journey at the collegiate level. Currently, the team holds three Division I athletes.

Eva Swenson

Senior setter Eva Swenson committed to UW-Green Bay last year. Eva won state championships her freshman and sophomore year, she was conference honorable mention her sophomore year, and all-conference her junior year. She says, “it’s easy to be a part of a great team.” Eva also participates in club volleyball, where her team won 3rd place in open, the best bracket, at nationals.

Eva stands out because of her ability to run and communicate on the court, and Green Bay saw that when they came to watch her. She had the opportunity to visit the school, and she loved it. The coaching staff and the campus stood out to her.

Her recruitment process was “bland” as she didn’t reach out to many colleges. Her biggest support, her friend Victoria, helped her reach out to Green Bay. They came to watch her play, and their journey started from there.

Eva is planning on graduating from high school early so that she can start her college volleyball career as soon as possible.

Kayla Nawrocki

Junior setter and rightside Kayla Nawrocki announced her commitment to St. Thomas University earlier this summer. In 2021, St. Thomas moved from Division II to Division I, becoming a better overall program with more competition. Already hosting some Wayzata Alumni, St. Thomas is close to home.

Kayla chose St. Thomas because of how “welcome [she] feels there.” A big part of what makes St. Thomas feel like home is the coaching staff, which has been a big factor in why she chose to commit there. They have created a comforting, welcoming environment, which Kayla really enjoys. She committed after a successful recruitment process, which was run through emails, her Instagram, and getting her name out there.

Throughout her journey, Kayla’s mom has been her biggest support. She says she always knew what to say, and she never pressured her. They went through the process together, learning new things at the same time. She gave her space when it was needed and advice when she wanted it.

Kayla has had a really fun experience at Wayzata. She loves the competitive environment and game days. Kayla has worked really hard to be at this level, not only physically but mentally. She practices positive self-talk, and she works on getting reps on the ball when she can.

Kayla won state her freshman year, she was awarded all-conference her sophomore year, and she received 3rd place at AAU Nationals in 2025 with her Crossfire club team.

For those going through the recruitment process, Kayla says to take your time. “You‘ll have that feeling when you’re supposed to be there.” Listening to your gut is important, and making sure it is the right place for you. Most importantly, realize how lucky you are to play in college because many people don’t have that opportunity.

Ellie Osowski

Ellie Osowski will be attending Winthrop University. Ellie had a productive recruitment call with Winthrop, where the coach was easy to talk to. Ellie loves South Carolina, and the volleyball team has a winning record.

Ellie has been receiving recruitment emails for many years, and this year she began to send emails back. She went to multiple camps, and her volleyball program helped with calls and emails. Winthrop eventually gave her an offer, and she knew she was going to take it.

Both of Ellie’s parents were supportive throughout her recruiting process, her dad especially. He would listen in on calls, give his input on schools, and give advice to her. Both of her parents were very happy for her when she finally chose Winthrop.

Ellie believes that the physical part of volleyball is just as important as the mental part. She says, “It’s really fun to see how far you can push your body.” She has been able to find some coping skills when she is having a difficult time on the court: she thinks of a time when she was playing really well.

Ellie has received many volleyball accomplishments throughout her life. Her 14’s club team won nationals at AAU, she won state her freshman year at Wayzata, she was all-American on her 15’s club team at nationals, and her 16’s club team won USAV nationals. She has also played for Northern Lights’ top team for the past three years, which is highly competitive and home to some of the best players in Minnesota.

Ellie’s advice to people going through the recruiting process is “don’t forget who you are.” She says it is easy for people not to think they are good enough because they didn’t get offers from the colleges that they wanted. Many people can lose their drive to play volleyball, and it is important not to change yourself because of it. Also, making sure that you like the coaches and players is important because you are going to be on and off the court with them all the time.

These three have positioned themselves for a successful future in volleyball. However, their current focus is finishing their high school season strong with the goal to take home another state title in 2025.