#1 seed, Meridian, 29-2 If the Mustangs want to win their first-ever state volleyball championship, they will have to find a way to beat their nemesis Johnson-Brock. Both of Meridian’s losses this year were to Johnson-Brock and it was also…
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Subscribe#1 seed, Meridian, 29-2
If the Mustangs want to win their first-ever state volleyball championship, they will have to find a way to beat their nemesis Johnson-Brock. Both of Meridian’s losses this year were to Johnson-Brock and it was also the Eagles that downed Meridian in the 2016 state final. Rylee Pieper, a Peru State recruit, leads Meridian with 281 kills while Halle Pribyl had 256 and 71 ace serves. Erin Johnson has 684 assists and 397 digs – both team highs.
#2 seed, Johnson-Brock, 31-1
The Eagles come in as the two-time defending Class D-1 champions are are fully loaded for a three-peat attempt. Nebraska walk-on recruit Fallon Stutheit leads the way with 462 kills and 25 blocks while Midland recruit Kaitlynn Simon has 261 kills and 54 ace serves. Senior Brynn Westenburg is the team setter and has 883 assists Mattie Nichols leads the team in digs with 264.
#3 seed, BDS, 26-5
Three of the five losses this year for BDS have come against top-seeded Meridian. Carly Elzinc leads the Eagles with 267 kills and 66 blocks and Jadyn Kleinschmidt has a team-high 406 assists. Regan Alfs has 290 assists and 197 kills and libero Megan Grote has 375 digs.
#4 seed, Blue Hill, 26-5
Blue Hill comes into state having won its past 15 matches and is back at state for the second consecutive year. Rylee Kohmetscher leads the Bobcats with 304 kills and Kacey Allen has 287. Jamie Bonifas has 764 assists and Brianna Danehey has 434 digs.
#5 seed, Heartland, 20-9
Taylor Quiring leads the Huskies with 388 kills and 218 digs while setter Rhianna Wilhelm has 713 assists and 101 kills. Kyra Dick has added 160 kills this year and Kalea Wetjen has 126.
#6 seed, Clarkson-Leigh, 25-9
The Patriots are making their first-ever trip to state behind senior Sydney Folkers, who leads the team with 208 kills and 34 blocks. Kaegan Held has 694 assists and libero Halee Steffensmeier has 371 digs.
#7 seed, Bertrad, 20-9
The Vikings are making their eighth trip to state behind a senior-led squad. Halle Dahlgren has 272 kills and 352 digs for Bertrand while Kaitlyn Ryan has 734 assists and Jada High has 442 digs. Lindsay Schultz has 197 kills and 41 ace serves for Bertrand.
#8 seed, Elkhorn Valley, 17-11
The Falcons upset Elgin-Pope John to earn its first trip to state since 2008. Hannah Ollendick has 240 kills and Sierra Rystrom has 169 for Elkhorn Valley while Amber Miller has 405 assists and 334 digs.
