In less than 12 hours, the Class A volleyball field will be trimmed from 28 teams down to the eight-team state tournament field. Who will those eight teams be and how will the district tournaments unfold? We will have to wait and see, but for fun here is what the Nebraska Prep Volleyball predictions are for tonight.
Actual results have been added and are in bold to right of the prediction:
Class A-1 at Papillion-LaVista
Papillion-LaVista def. Omaha Benson 3-0 Papillion-LaVista def. Omaha Benson 3-0
Lincoln Northeast def. Bellevue West 3-2 Lincoln Northeast def. Bellevue West 3-1
Papillion-LaVista def. Lincoln Northeast 3-0 Papillion-LaVista def. Lincoln Northeast 3-0
You can pretty much bet that the Monarchs will be re-focused and re-energized after being swept by Marian in the Metro Conference finals, which is bad news for other teams in A-1. Lincoln Northeast and Bellevue West should be a great match. Lincoln Northeast gets the edge based on experience with a lot of young players for T-birds getting their first real taste of postseason play.
Class A-2 at Omaha Marian
Omaha Marian def. Omaha Bryan 3-0 Omaha Marian def. Omaha Bryan 3-0
Millard South def. Omaha Burke 3-1 Millard South def. Omaha Burke 3-1
Omaha Marian def. Millard South 3-0 Omaha Marian def. Millard South 3-0
Omaha Marian is the three-time defending Class A champions for a reason and they should have no issue tonight. Millard South is playing its best volleyball of the season right now and should be getting all-state hitter Madi Stearns back from a concussion, but that won’t be nearly enough for the Patriots to combat all of Marian’s weapons.
Class A-3 at Papillion-LaVista South
Papillion-LaVista South def. Bellevue East 3-0 Papillion-LaVista South def. Bellevue East 3-0
Kearney def. Omaha Westside 3-1 Kearney def. Omaha Westside 3-1
Papillion-LaVista def. Kearney 3-1 Papillion-LaVista def. Kearney 3-0
It’s highly unlikely an host team gets much of a challenge in the first round and it’s no exception with Papio South beating Bellevue East. Predicting a mild upset of Kearney over Omaha Westside mostly because I like Kearney’s athleticism and the Bearcats are on a little bit of a roll after winning GNAC on Saturday. If Papio South plays well, it has no issues tonight. But, both Kearney and Omaha Westside post a danger if Titans don’t come to play.
A-4 at Millard North
Millard North def. Fremont 3-0 Millard North def. Fremont 3-0
Omaha Northwest def. Omaha South 3-1 Omaha Northwest def. Omaha South 3-0
Millard North def. Omaha Northwest 3-1 Millard North def. Omaha Northwest 3-0
I think this is a district that is worth keeping an eye on tonight. Millard North is so talented, but so young, that they have truly been like a box of chocolates in Forrest Gump’s world this year. The danger for the Mustangs is that many of its key players are playing their first postseason tournament while Omaha Northwest has a trio of talented – and I trust hungry – seniors is Schramm, Wrightsell and Dike that could put a lot of pressure on Millard North.
A-5 at Millard West
Millard West over Lincoln High 3-0 Millard West over Lincoln High 3-0
Lincoln North Star over Omaha Central 3-1 Lincoln North Star over Omaha Central 3-0
Millard West over Lincoln North Star 3-1 Millard West over Lincoln North Star 3-0
As mentioned in previous posts, Lincoln North Star is one of the teams capable of pulling an upset in Class A this year. The Gators are 9-2 in their last 11 matches and their setter and three top attackers are seniors – that means something this time of the year. One of those two losses, though, was a 2-0 defeat at Millard West. Wildcats get it done tonight, but I think there are a few anxious moments for them.
A-6 at Lincoln Pius X
Lincoln Pius X over Norfolk 3-0 Lincoln Pius X over Norfolk 3-0
Grand Island over North Platte 3-0 North Platte over Grand Island 3-2
Lincoln Pius X over Grand Island 3-2 Lincoln Pius X over North Platte 3-0
I don’t see either Pius X or Grand Island pushed too hard in the first round, which should mean both teams are fresh and primed for what should be a great district final. The Bolts and Islanders have not played each other this year, but both are very well coached and don’t generally give you many points. Pius X has played very well the past month, but in my opinion the Bolts don’t have any room for anything less than their best tonight to beat a Grand Island team that will be very dangerous.
A-7 at Lincoln Southwest
Lincoln Southwest over Lincoln East 3-0 Lincoln Southwest def. Lincoln East 3-1
Lincoln Southeast over Omaha North 3-0 Lincoln Southeast over Omaha North 3-0
Lincoln Southwest over Lincoln Southeast 3-1 Lincoln Southeast over Lincoln Southwest 3-2
Lincoln Southwest just swept Lincoln Southeast in the Heartland Athletic Conference finals last week and they should meet again tonight. Southwest has won all three meetings between the teams this year by scores of 2-0, 3-2 and 3-0. Lincoln Southeast will always be well coached and talented, but the 22-12 Knights are 0-11 this year against the seven Class A teams that are hosting districts. The good news for Lincoln Southeast is that if these predictions are correct, the Knights will still reach state as a wild card.
