Key Matches This Week: Class A

<h2><u>Omaha Marian and Papillion-LaVista South </u></h2> <p>This could for sure be one of the most exciting first matches of the season. This match will be on Tuesday night. The Omaha Marian Crusaders and the Papillion-LaVista South Titans played each other in the class A state semifinals last season. This could be an epic rematch after the Titans pulled off a 5 set upset against the Crusaders at state last year, with Papio South winning 15-13 in the 5th and final set. After a heartbreaking loss in the class A state championship match a year ago, you have to believe the Titans are out for redemption this year. Papio South was up 2-0 in the state championship match before Millard North pulled off one of the most epic comebacks in state volleyball history, coming from 0-2 down and winning 20-18 in the 5th set in the state championship match. Both Papio South and Omaha Marian play in the same Metro Conference, so this could be the beginning of a great season for both teams.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><u>Millard North and Elkhorn South</u></h2> <p>The defending class A state champions begin their season this week. They take on Elkhorn South out of class B at Millard North on Tuesday night. Both teams lost a few key players from a year ago but both teams should be successful this season and play a great first match. The Mustangs from Millard North might have the strongest roster out of every team in the state regardless of class. Millard North graduated <strong>Elise Baumann</strong> and <strong>Madison Johnson </strong>from their lineup last year but have new players to fill those important roles Baumann and Johnson had on the team. The Elkhorn South storm are ranked #4 in the class B preseason ratings and Millard North is ranked #1 in the class A preseason ratings after an epic ending to their season last November, winning the class A state championship. Millard North will definitely be favored to win this match, but we could see Elkhorn South put up a great match against the Mustangs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><u>Lincoln Southwest and Lincoln North Star</u></h2> <p>Every year the Southwest Silverhawks and the North Star Gators start their season off against each other. Even though the Silverhawks have dominated the overall series with the Gators, North Star has been successful against the Silverhawks in the last few seasons. In 2014 and in 2015 the Silverhawks and Gators played epic 5 set matches to start the year, with North Star winning in 2014 at North Star and Southwest in 2015 at Southwest. Last year North Star was able to sweep the Silverhawks in North Star’s home gym, dominating the match at the beginning of the season. North Star was also able to pull off a win against the Silverhawks at the LPS classic tournament a year ago as well. The match-up this year could be very interesting. Lincoln Southwest returns almost their entire starting lineup from a year ago, but Lincoln North Star returns only a couple players who saw significant playing time last year. North Star returns senior <strong>Andrea Gardner</strong> who was a middle for the Gators the last couple seasons and<strong> Ireland Curry</strong>, a Hastings College recruit who made her way into the starting lineup later on in the season. The Gators will have to put out almost an entire new team on the floor this year. The Gators graduated their starting setter <strong>Alexa Mustard</strong>, their starting right side hitter <strong>Haley Seip</strong>, their starting middle <strong>Abby Olsen</strong>, and their starting outside hitters <strong>Jenna Tederman</strong> and <strong>Brooke Homeyer</strong>. The Gator’s libero <strong>Erin Williams</strong> transferred to Lincoln Lutheran for her junior and senior years, after leading the team in digs her freshman and sophomore year at North Star. Despite who the Gators will be putting on the floor this season, they and the Silverhawks should both play a great season opening match against each other.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><u>Millard West and Grand Island </u></h2> <p>Along with Millard North, Omaha Marian, and Papillion-LaVista South, Millard West will be a team to look out for during the 2017 Season. They play Grand Island at home on Thursday night. Grand Island was an up and down team a season ago. They were able to pull off 2 wins against Lincoln North a year ago before the Gators fired back for redemption later on in the season. Lincoln North Star was a team ranked in the top 10 and Grand Island was able to beat them twice before North Star beat them twice as well. The Islanders fell short in the district semifinal match to North Platte a year ago. Millard West beat Lincoln North Star in the District A-5 championship match to earn their spot in the class A state volleyball tournament. They fell to Millard North in the first round of the state tournament. Both teams are in the preseason top 10, so this should be a fun match to witness.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>