It All Comes Down to This

This newsletter, if we are being fair, has been a tough one to start. So, we’ll just come out and say it — we didn’t get to enough volleyball games this year. And this weekend will be no exception; work and family commitments are going to keep us from Lincoln.

So, we’ll cover from watching on the phone and maybe take in some state finals from our couch. Who knows, we might find a story to share and if we do, we’ll do the best we can. None of this means we don’t love volleyball — we do. Just not enough bodies and time to get where need to be.

We hope you’ll appreciate our honesty. But those Dante Boelhower hype videos before the finals? Yeah, you’ll see those at the Devaney Center. Here’s a quick breakdown of each class; remember, we did have the pulse of the coaches all season in compiling the nebreps Coaches Poll.

Class A

No. 1 Papillion-LaVista South (35-1) vs. No. 8 Papillion-LaVista (24-15): The top-ranked Titans start their title defense with a chance to avenge their only loss of the season to Papio that came in the Metro semifinals. Mia Tvrdy (365) and Morgan Glaser (333) lead the Monarchs in kills while Lauren Medick has 358 for the Titans.

No. 4 Omaha Westside (25-10) vs. No. 5 Grand Island (26-8): The Warriors hope to build off of last year’s runner-up appearance and the Islanders are back for the first time in a decade. After setter Peyton Meyer went down with a torn ACL, Westside has relied on junior Kathryn Gaughen and freshman Kherington Snider. The Warriors have four players over 170 kills led by 6-3 junior Ashlyn Paymal. The Islanders — at state for the first time since 2013 — are led by the heavy hitting tandem of Tia Traudt (463 kills) and Haedyn Hoos (405).

No. 2 Lincoln Southwest (30-4) vs. No. 7 Lincoln Pius X (23-10): The Silverhawks might be the oldest (nine seniors) and the tallest (three players over 6-foot) team at state. Five players are over 150 kills behind the attack led by setter Malayah Long who has 950 assists. They have swept their opponent twice on the season, led by 6-1 middle Faith Venable who has 330 kills.

No. 3 Lincoln East (27-10) vs. No. 6 Bellevue West (29-9): What a fall it has been for the Spartans, who also won state girls golf and cross country. Seniors Megan Walters and Shandy Faalii do a little bit of everything for the Spartans. Junior Madison Emery has 742 assists for the Birds who are making their 22nd appearance at state and first since 2020.

Thoughts and fun: The coaches voted Papio South as the best team in every poll this season and would make them a clear favorite. The rest of the opening round matchups could be toss up’s with slight edges to the higher-seeded team. Southwest and East held on to spots 2 and 3 for a long time as the season moved on and a semifinal bout would be appropriate.

Favorite thing: Surely no school in the state can lay claim to East’s father-daughter football-volleyball coaching due of John Gingery and Nicole Johnson. Nicole hopes to join dad for a Friday night game on the to-do list.

Class B

No. 1 Norris (31-3) vs. No. 8 Scottsbluff (25-9): The top-seeded Titans are back for a sixth time in a row, still talented and a bit younger. Now freshman Malorie Boesiger leads a group that has lost just 11 sets all season. Junior Anna Jelinek has 385 kills. Scottsbluff returns to state for the first time since 2006 with the only player in the Class B field who had 300 kills and 200 assists in senior Ella Foote.

No. 4 Bennington (28-7) vs. No. 5 Gretna East (25-10): Bennington went their first 12 matches without losing a set, so the firepower is there for a title run. Nebraska commit Olivia Mauch may be the best defender in the state (she has 659 digs on the season). The young (and talented) first-year Griffins (both at state and as a school) get 310 kills from Hayden Hart and 832 assists from Nyah Pottoff. The Badgers have taken all three matches this year, including in the first round of sub-districts.

No. 2 Elkhorn North (28-7) vs. No. 7 Seward (26-7): Norris and the Wolves have nipped at Skutt Catholic’s heels during the past two state tournaments. Will this be the year one of the EMC teams can end the reign? EN — with setter Reese Booth and freshman attacker Reagan Wallraff — have battled back and forth all season with Norris. And, neither has played Skutt. The Wolves get Seward, the lone qualifier from the Central Conference, which has three players over 200 kills led by Kelsey Miller’s 349.

No. 3 Skutt Catholic (26-13) vs. No. 6 Waverly (23-9): The Skyhawks have prepped for the tournament with another national schedule and have no losses to in-state Class B competition. Sophomore Addison West (367 kills) and junior Abbie Hagedorn (363) lead the Skutt offense which is gunning for a ninth straight state title under coach Renee Saunders. Senior Eden Moore leads the Vikings with 252 kills.

Thoughts: Coaches have yet to put anyone other than Skutt at the top all season. So, what will the weekend bring? Norris, Elkhorn North and Bennington were in the top-four all season flopping the spots many times. It would likely be an upset if they weren’t the final four on Friday.

Class C-1

No. 1 Kearney Catholic (30-2) vs. No. 8 Syracuse (27-7): The Stars earned the top overall seed in their sub-district with a five-set heavyweight fight win over second-seeded Minden. It gave the Whippets their only loss. Setter Callie Squiers leads an attack that has four players over 190 kills on the season. Speaking of big attacks, the Rockets have Delainey Cast and Kadyn Sisco both over 400 kills.

No. 4 Malcolm (27-4) vs. No. 5 Pierce (30-3): How deep is the Class C-1 field? Sixth-seeded Platteview beat both of these teams. The Clippers have the state’s leading attacker in sophomore Halle Dolliver (613 kills) while Pierce brings senior Jaya Wachholtz to the net with 454 kills on the season.

No. 2 Minden (33-1) vs. No. 7 Grand Island CC (26-3): Minden controlled this class for most of the season in the rankings and many may consider them the favorite. They had lost just two sets all season — to GICC and Gothenburg — prior to the loss to Kearney Catholic. Junior Mattie Kamery and sophomore Myla Emery are unicorns. You don’t often see a duo combine for 955 assists and 689 kills. They have no walkover in the Crusaders, who somehow rise to the occasion behind setter Carolyn Maser. It may not be coaching legend Sharon Zavala’s most-talented team, but it’s probably her toughest and grittiest. Balls rarely hit the floor on their side of the net.

No. 3 Gothenburg (32-2) vs. No. 6 Platteview (25-7): The Swedes two losses are to Minden and a semifinal rematch would be must-see. But a lot of work until then against a talented Platteview team that only has two Class C-1 losses and has won 10 in a row. Lexi Hans has 424 kills in the Trojans 6-2 offense. Clara Evert has 317 kills for Gothenburg who also has Aubrey O’Hare with 167 kills and 556 assists.

Thoughts and fun: Short and sweet here. The DEEPEST class with any of the eight teams likely capable of walking away with the state championship trophy. Strap your seat belt on for this one, the champion will be very deserving. The pick? Probably the team you are rooting for.

Class C-2

No. 1 Lincoln Lutheran (33-2) vs. No. 8 Summerland (21-10): The Warriors, believe it or not, opted up to defend their title. And, while the 70+ game winning streak ended this year the coaches would still put them as the title favorites. A balanced attack is bolstered by Nebraska libero commit Keri Leimbach who has 452 digs. Summerland’s reward for sweeping undefeated Bayard in the district final is the Warriors.

No. 4 Yutan (26-3) vs. No. 5 Elmwood-Murdock (25-6): Opening game of the year rematch that Yutan took 2-1 in a triangular. The Chieftains have not lost to Class C-2 competition all season. Junior Gabriella Tedeman has 300 kills for the Chieftains while the Knights have three players over 200 kills led by Jordan Vogler’s 361.

No. 2 Clarkson/Leigh (32-1) vs. No. 7 Crofton (21-8): Rematch of a mid-season sweep that went to C/L, who has lost only to HLHF. The Patriots, who have lost just seven sets, are led by senior Chloe Hanel who has 426 kills. For basketball power Crofton, returning to state for the first time since 2014, Caitlin Guenther has 293 kills.

No. 3 Oakland-Craig (29-6) vs. No. 6 Humphrey/LHF (28-6): Rubber match for these East Husker Conference mates moves to Lincoln for a berth in the semifinals. No extra Hudl film is needed here. O-C has 419 kills from Brandi Helzer and 965 assists from Adi Rennerfeldt while HLHF will rely on Ali Brandl’s 305 kills.

Thoughts and fun: One thing we did when we moved to the “lets get the best teams to state format” is we created a chance for in-season rematches if those teams won their way to state. In this class, we have three games that could be played “back home” but now get the big stage. These will be very, very competitive matches on Thursday night.

Class D-1

No. 1 Guardian Angels CC (25-5) vs. No. 8 Burwell (24-7): The Jays have not lost to a Class D team yet this season and take the highest power point rating to Lincoln. Three players over 270 kills in an attack led by senior setter Jayden Ehrlsman who has 904 assists. Shayley Hunt has 217 kills for the Longhorns, at state for the first time since 1998.

No. 4 Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (27-4) vs. No. 5 Amherst (23-8): BDS has won 21 of 22 matches heading to Lincoln and Amherst has finished 12-8 down the stretch against a difficult schedule with seven of the eight losses to state qualifiers. Saryn Prickett has 261 kills and 389 assists for Amherst, while BDS setter Hayley Sliva (653 assists) directs a balanced Eagle attack led by Cloey Carlson and Campbell Bohling.

No. 2 Southwest (29-3) vs. No. 7 Elgin Public/Pope John (26-6): Balance (four players over 180 kills) and a talented senior setter (Bryn Lampe has 812 assists) could make Southwest the top GACC chaser. But, EPPJ will be no first round cakewalk. Three of the six losses are to St. Mary’s and the Wolfpack are to state for the first time as a co-op. Ashlynne Charf has 345 kills and Chloe Henn 311.

No. 3 O’Neill St. Mary’s (31-1) vs. No. 6 Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (27-4): This could be the match of the day on Friday. St. Mary’s loss is to C-2 qualifier Summerland while SEM has lost to Amherst twice (beat them twice, too) and D-2 title contender Overton twice. Mikah O’Neill has 433 kills for SEM and Mya Hedstrom has 393 for the Cardinals.

Thoughts and fun: Amherst and Southwest traded the top-spot for most of the season until Guardian Angels rose to the forefront with some quality “class up” wins in the back half of the season. The likely one other class where any of the eight could cause problems and lay claim to a state title come Saturday morning.

Class D-2

No. 1 Cambridge (26-4) vs. No. 8 Shelton (23-9): An intriguing quarterfinal in that there is nothing for Shelton to be afraid of or worry about in playing the Trojans. All of Shelton’s losses are up in class save for a pair to Overton. But, Cambridge has been a clear top-two team with Overton all season. Three players over 200 kills for the Trojans and sophomore Jalyn Branson’s 423 kills lead the Bulldogs.

No. 4 Wallace (27-4) vs. No. 5 Wynot (25-6): Always intriguing when you get two schools from complete opposite ends of the state to meet in Lincoln. Wallace came to Grand Island and took a set from Class B Hastings at the State Fair. No Class D losses of any kind for Wynot. Kayla Pinkelman and Allison Wieseler have combined for 527 kills for the Blue Devils. For Wallace, Kendyl Flaming has 359 kills.

No. 2 Overton (29-3) vs. No. 7 Central Valley (23-8): Last year, Overton was runner-up to Howells-Dodge and they could be the favorite’s here, despite the sub-district final loss to Cambridge. JoLee Ryan may make some lower Super-State teams for the Eagles, whose other two losses are to Southwest and Kearney Catholic. A balanced Central Valley offense gets 312 kills from junior Callie Wadas.

No. 3 Meridian (24-5) vs. No. 6 Stuart (27-4): Could battle-tested Meridian, which won the Crossroads Conference tournament, shake things up here? Just one Class D-2 loss on the card Mustangs who have a 400+ kill season from senior Jaala Stewart. For the Broncos, equally as tough. Lacey Paxton and Reagan Stracke have combined for 643 kills as Stuart has four losses to state qualifiers in higher classes. This one could be really, really good.

Thoughts and fun: The paper says you want to put Overton and Cambridge — one and two all year in some form — in a walk to the finals, but this field intrigues. Wynot, Stuart and Meridian are all teams that could cause problems, though we like the best story. And sometimes the best story is the big rematch. That’d be a nice start to Saturday morning, no?