Way Early Rankings for 2018

The 2017 state tournament may have finished just four days ago, but it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2018 season.

Before we take a look at the way early rankings for 2018 in each class, let’s talk through a few things.

First, even though the NSAA released its enrollment figures for determining classes last week, things are hardly crystal clear when it comes to who will be in what class. If you go simply based on the combined (boys and girls) enrollment for schools, both Gretna and Elkhorn South fall in the top 28, making them Class A schools. Lincoln Pius X, meanwhile, would sit at 29 – and could potentially opt up into Class A or drop down to Class B.

However, there are proposals to the NSAA to base classification based on gender-specific enrollment numbers. In other words, for volleyball, only the number of girls in a school would count towards the classification in volleyball. And that’s where things get a little dicey.

If the NSAA goes with such a proposal and bases volleyball classifications next year on only the female enrollment figures of a school, Gretna and Lincoln Pius X would both fall in the top 28, making them Class A schools. Elkhorn South would actually fall down to 31^st and remain in Class B next year. Aurora, in a female enrollment classification, would remain in Class B for volleyball.

And while there is a lot to still sort out in Class A and B, there is certain to still be a lot of movement in Classes C-1, C-2, D-1 and D-2 and schools start to figure out if they will need to consolidate for certain sports. Remember, Class D-2 champion Exeter-Milligan nearly had to consolidate with another school because of concern over a shortage of players in the summer.

So, these way early Top 5 rankings in each class simply take into consideration what things look like right now, Obviously, a lot will change before first practices take place next August.

Class A: Millard North must replace libero Madi Evans and DS Megan Hanson with junior Emma Altman, with 246 digs this year, most likely – at this point – to anchor the backrow for the Mustangs next year. Millard North brings back its entire front row and setter and also hopes to have a full year out of 6’2 Iowa recruit Emma Grunkemeyer. Pius X was beset by injuries this year and loses libero Lindsay Nottleman, but the Bolts will be big-time title contenders in either A or B by returning its entire core and getting Alexis Markowski and Kylen Sealock – both freshmen this year – for a full year in 2018. After Millard North and potentially Lincoln Pius X – the rest of Class A will be quite balanced. Missing from the way early rankings is Omaha Marian. Despite having won four of the last five Class A titles, the graduation of so many pieces will be tough for the Crusaders. Yes, Emily Bressman and Hailey Zuroske returning as outsides and Sophie Moes as the presumptive libero is a good start but the rest of the roster will be vastly inexperienced.

1.) Millard North
2.) Lincoln Pius X**
3.) Elkhorn South**
4.) Papillion-LaVista South
5.) Papillion-LaVista
6.) Millard West
7.) Gretna
** - Could potentially be in Class B next year

Class B: Most of the three-time defending Class B champions returns next year for Skutt and where the Skyhawks do lose seniors – at setter and backrow – there are some really talented freshman ready to fill voids. As described above about Pius X, the Thunderbolts will be right there with the Skyhawks if they drop down to Class B. Outside hitter Julianna Kalil and libero Elle Lammers were the heart-and-soul of Duchesne the last four years, but the Cardinals return a lot of firepower and have built a program that now has plenty of depth. Be on the look out for Hastings and Sidney next year – both return a lot of quality players and will be hungry after each lost in the Sweet 16 this year.

1.) Skutt Catholic
2.) Lincoln Pius X**
3.) Omaha Duchesne
4.) Elkhorn South**
5.) Seward
6.) Hastings
7.) Sidney
** - Could potentially be in Class A next year

Class C-1: Grand Island Central Catholic basically returns its entire roster while Wahoo is going to be loaded again, but replacing a setter and libero is never easy. Lincoln Lutheran will be right there again and you can bet the Warriors will be spending the next 8-9 months developing weapons around Marriah Buss. Omaha Concordia will need to replace its libero and DS, but otherwise returns its whole roster and St. Paul is always a good bet to be a top 5 team.

1.) Grand Island Central Catholic
2.) Wahoo
3.) Lincoln Lutheran
4.) Omaha Concordia
5.) St. Paul

Class C-2: Superior will bring back a lot of talent from it’s state-championship team and, let’s face it, there won’t be anyone in Class C-2 capable of stopping Kalynn Meyer. What will be interesting to watch is how the Wildcats handle going from being the hunter to the hunted. Hartington Cedar Catholic loses a lot, but returns several key pieces, including Jada Cattau, Brianna Miller and Maddie Wieseler. Stanton must replace Hannah Heppner but otherwise returns the rest of its line-up. Archbishop Bergan’s lone senior this year was libero Meghan Dahlhauser. North Platte St. Patrick’s returns a good chunk of its core 23-10 team from this year.

1.) Superior
2.) Hartington Cedar Catholic
3.) Stanton
4.) Archbishop Bergan
5.) North Platte St. Patrick’s

Class D-1: I will give Johnson-Brock the nod now out of respect for the Eagles being a three-time defending Class D-1 champion and bringing back Fallon Stutheit, but the losses of Kaitlynn Simon and Brynn Westenburg will make it an up-hill battle to four-peat.

1.) Johnson-Brock
2.) Blue Hill
3.) Clarkson-Leigh
4.) Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family
5.) Diller-Odell

Class D-2: Ewing just missed a state title this year, but with Tiana Thramer, Ashley Koenig and Miranda Summers back, the Tigers are early favorites to bring home the title in 2018.