Familiar Faces in New Places for 2018 High School Season

Sometimes something as simple as a new job for a parent of a volleyball player and swing the fortunes of a program.

That was exactly the case last summer when Illinois recruit Kyla Swanson’s father took a new job that transferred the family from Minden to Wahoo. Suddenly, Minden’s hopes of a state title diminished and Wahoo’s increased and as fate would have it, the two teams played in the first round of the Class C-1 state tournament with Wahoo as the top seed and Minden at #8. Wahoo would win that match and go on to win its first state title. 

No Big Ten recruits have switched schools this summer, but there are a handful of players that will be suiting up for new teams this fall that could wind up making a significant impact in the battle for state titles come November. 

Jordan McCormick, Sr., Libero, Elkhorn South (formerly at Millard West)

McCormick’s move to Elkhorn South, which came about when her family moved into the Elkhorn South district in recent months, is probably the most significant change in the state. The Wayne State libero recruit played varsity for the Wildcats starting her freshman year as a full-rotation outside hitter. She averaged two kills per set her sophomore and junior years at Millard West and last year averaged 5.7 digs and 11.0 serve receptions a match. She’s now at a Elkhorn South program, however, that had a large hole at libero with the graduation of Riley Newton. With McCormick taking that spot, it now makes the Storm a strong threat to Skutt Catholic in Class B.

Kaitlin Neely, Jr., Setter, Omaha Duchesne (formerly at Millard North)

Neely has been a standout setter during the club seasons growing up, but in a loaded Millard North program with Izzy Lukens entrenched as the starter after leading the Mustangs to a state title and state runner-up finish as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, Neely didn’t see varsity time. She is now at Omaha Duchesne, where her presence might allow the Cardinals to run a multiple-setter offense, freeing up Emma Worthington to spend more time as an attacker which will make Duchesne – like Elkhorn South – a contender to dethrone Skutt in Class B.

Holly Oschner, Soph., Libero, Lincoln Southwest (formerly at Lincoln Northeast)

Oschner stepped on the court as a freshman last year for the Rockets and was immediately their libero and turned in an outstanding season, recording more than 400 digs as she established herself as one of the top young liberos in the state. She is now at Lincoln Southwest, however, where the Silver Hawks have had a tradition of back-row excellence from the libero position lately with Taylor Els and Katie Siefkes the past few season. With the graduation of Siefkes, however, Lincoln Southwest was returning just one back-row player with more than 100 digs last year.

Jenny Moenning, Jr., Libero/Attacker, Southern Valley (formerly at Ralston)

Ralston qualified for the state tournament in 2017 during one of the Rams’ most successful volleyball seasons of all-time. Moenning was the anchor to Ralston’s back row as libero, recording 521 digs and 454 serve receptions on the year. Due to a family move, Moenning is now at Southern Valley, a program that went 26-6 last season and lost to Hartington Cedar Catholic in the first-round of the state tournament last fall. At 5’8, Moenning could actually be more productive for Southern Valley as a full-rotation attacker since the team has returning senior all-stater Sawyer Quinn at libero. Moenning’s arrival should help Southern Valley continue to be one of the top C-2 programs in the state.