State volleyball: Who are the six champions? Plus, upset candidates and players to watch
On the eve of the state volleyball tournament, we've got a class-by-class look at what to watch. The tournament begins Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena and concludes with title matches Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
CLASS A
The pick: Papillion-La Vista South.
Why: One year after being stunned in the first round. Papio South has cruised this season to a 31-5 record. The Titans' balanced offense is led by Charlee Solomon, Lyric Judsn and Makenna Sanders. The toughest test for Papio South is Omaha Westside. The Titans and Warriors have met four times this season and Papio South holds a 3-1 season advantage.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Grand Island.
Why: The Islanders are coming off a disappointing district championship loss to Lincoln North Star. Expect Tia Traudt to play with even more aggression as she tries to help the Islanders to an early first-round upset over Omaha Westside. The Warriors have been susceptible to a one-man army-type offense as Lincoln Pius X upset the No. 2 seed earlier this month with Faith Venable tallying 36 kills.
Check your program for these players: Matthea Dalton, OH, Fremont, senior; Tia Traudt, OH, Grand Island, senior; Ashlyn Paymal, OH, Omaha Westside, senior; Delainey Volkmer, OH, Lincoln North Star, sophomore; Shelby Harding, OH, Lincoln Southwest, senior.
CLASS B
The pick: Norris.
Why: The Titans' only issue in capturing the elusive title? Omaha Skutt. But this year, however, may be the year. With Anna Jelinek leading the offense, the Titans have navigated an adversity-filled season including losing their star setter Malorie Boesiger early in the season. Norris' 35-1 record is reason to believe this is their year.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Lincoln Pius X.
Why: Just when the Thunderbolts seem out of it, they rattle off season-defining wins and get themselves in position for another state tournament appearance. After reclassifying to Class B earlier this season, the Thunderbolts played a talented Class A schedule. With that adversity, their record won't reflect it, but they are a good and dangerous team.
Check your program for these players: Faith Venable, OH, Pius X, senior; Anna Jelinek, OH, Norris, senior; Reagan Wallraff, OH, Elkhorn North, sophomore; Hayden Booth, S, Elkhorn North, junior; Meghan Anderson, S, Skutt, senior.
CLASS C-1
The pick: Minden.
Why: The Whippets are primed for a repeat title. Minden's lone loss came against Gothenburg, which happens to be Minden's first-round opponent. As long as the Whippets survive the Swedes, they should rally behind Mattie Kamery and Myla Emery for another state trophy.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Wahoo.
Why: The Warriors shook off slow starts in the subdistrict and district final matches en route to a state appearance. Wahoo's balanced attack can give opponents fits. Behind McKenna Smith, Gretchen Seagren and Chloe Kasischke, the Warriors can use its senior leadership and dominance to its advantage.
Check your program for these players: Skylar Scholting, S, Pierce, senior; Nora Herian, OH, Pierce, sophomore; Mattie Kamery, OH, Minden, senior; McKenna Smith, OH, Wahoo, senior; Payton Dzingle, OH, Kearney Catholic, senior.
CLASS C-2
The pick: Lincoln Lutheran.
Why: It would be something like a crime to not pick Lutheran to repeat as state champs. The Warriors are looking for a four-peat and a perfect career ending for libero and Nebraska commit Keri Leimbach. Sue Ziegler has built a powerhouse and there is no reason to think it falters this November.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Yutan.
Why: Watch the Chieftains. Any one-loss team is dangerous in a state tournament setting. Yutan returns to the tournament with eight returning varsity members. The added experience and winning mindset could push them over the edge this season.
Check your program for these players: Keri Leimbach, L, Lincoln Lutheran, senior; Brandi Helzer, OH, Oakland-Craig, senior; , S, Lincoln Lutheran, junior; Ella Brueggemann, S, Thayer Central, senior; Taryn Ottemann, OH, Johnson-Brock, senior.
CLASS D-1
The pick: Southwest.
Why: The Roughriders have been flawless this season. With a perfect 33-0 record entering the state tournament, Southwest has only dropped eight sets the entire season. Kyra Nelms leads the Roughrider offense but watch for Allison Vanpelt's defense and serving abilities to steal a few points each set for the Roughriders.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Cedar Catholic.
Why: Cedar Catholic got hot at the right time. The Trojans defeated Kenesaw to make it back to the state tournament. With a 14-18 record, it's a similar situation as Pius X, you won't know what to expect. They can play well enough to beat anyone and that is what makes the Trojans an exciting team to watch..
Check your program for these players: Reagan Meyers, OH, Superior, sophomore; Faith Butler, S, Superior, senior; Myleigh Weers, MH, Diller-Odell, senior; Kyra Nelms, OH, Southwest, junior; Allison Vanpelt, L, Southwest, senior.
CLASS D-2
The pick: Shelton.
Why: Assuming both Shelton and Overton make the semifinals, there's a feeling that the winner of that match will win the tournament. The two teams have already played once this season in which the Bulldogs won 3-1. If Shelton gets ahead in the early phases of matches, it rarely lets up. Expect the Bulldogs' aggressive style to carry them far this tournament.
A bottom-four seed to watch: Amherst.
Why: The Broncos reclassified from Class D-1 to D-2 prior to this season and made the tournament last season. With Amherst's experience in the tournament, you can expect it to have an impact on their success. Watch for Kenna and Keelie Hagan to have big impacts in the tournament.
Check your program for these players: Daisy Ryan, OH, Overton, junior; Kyla Elfgren, S, Overton, senior; Erin Gegg, MH, Shelton, junior; Addie Ketteler, S, Stuart, senior; Shawnee Gamble, OH, Leyton, senior.
