Unfinished Business: 2019 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title in 2020 - Class D2

We've reached the finale of the “Unfinished Business” series, and today's spotlight shines on Class D2! Check out the links below for all the other installments of this series that cover every class in the state: <a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/05/unfinished-business-2019-tournament-teams-poised-for-a-title-in-2020-class-a/">Class A</a> <a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/06/unfinished-business-2019-tournament-teams-poised-for-a-title-in-2020-class-b/">Class B</a> <a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/06/unfinished-business-2019-tournament-teams-poised-for-a-title-in-2020-class-c1/">Class C1</a> <a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/06/unfinished-business-2019-tournament-teams-poised-for-a-title-in-2020-class-c2/">Class C2</a> <a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/06/unfinished-business-2019-tournament-teams-poised-for-a-title-in-2020-class-d1/">Class D1</a> In 2019, Bruning-Davenport-Shickley claimed their second consecutive Class D2 title in the most grueling way imaginable: three straight five-set victories. The championship match, fittingly, ended in a 16-14 fifth set to cap off the Eagles' improbable march to the title. As BDS goes for another championship in 2020, the three teams featured below have what it takes to deny the three-peat and write their own chapter in Class D2 history.   Humphrey St. Francis Humphrey St. Francis entered last year's tournament as the #5 seed following a 22-4 regular season. The Flyers were 5-0 against district opponents and did not drop a set in postseason district competition. St. Francis started tournament play strong with a convincing three-set victory over Garden County. They followed that up with a semifinal upset of top-seeded Lawrence-Nelson to advance to the championship. The season ended in heartbreak for the Flyers, falling in a five-set thriller to BDS and finishing the year as the D2 runner-up. St. Francis is in a unique position in that they have to replace a few key players while returning several important pieces, as well. Gone is Caitlin Jarosz, the team's leader in kills from a season ago. Middle blocker Makenna Krings also departs after making significant contributions on offense over her career. However, St. Francis has to be excited about some of the players it will be bringing back, particularly from their senior class. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="82566" first="Allison" last="Weidner"] will be the new leader for this team after a standout junior campaign. The Flyers also return their starting setter, senior [player_tooltip player_id="82638" first="Peighton" last="Eisenmenger"]. The backcourt will be anchored by yet another senior, Alissa Kosch. This kind of experience and talent will have St. Francis back in the hunt for a repeat berth in the tournament, and these players will be expecting to go the distance in Lincoln.   Falls City Sacred Heart [caption id="attachment_88154" align="alignright" width="142"] Vonderschmidt[/caption] The seventh-seeded in the 2019 D2 tournament, Sacred Heart compiled a 21-13 record in pre-tournament competition. After an up-and-down regular season, the Irish finished strong with four consecutive sweeps to punch their ticket to Lincoln. Sacred Heart performed admirably in their opening-round tournament match before ultimately falling in five sets to second-seeded Wynot. Sacred Heart's biggest challenge heading into 2020 will be replacing productive outside hitter McKenzie Witt, who graduates following a standout career. The reins to this Irish team will undoubtedly be handed to a rising junior outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id="58774" first="Erison" last="Vonderschmidt"]. This six-foot attacker is arguably the best prospect in all of Class D2. She will only continue to progress during her final two years with Sacred Heart, and her mere presence ensures that the Irish will be contenders in the future. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="58809" first="Rachel" last="Magdanz"] is another junior to keep an eye on. Her experience leading the offense last year will serve her well as the Sacred Heart prepares for next year's title hunt. Regarding senior leadership on this young roster, the Irish will likely look to middle blocker Danielle Bippes, who already knows what it's like to perform on the big stage. Though somewhat inexperienced, this Sacred Heart roster is setting up for several strong performances in the years to come.   Garden County Garden County earned the #4 seed in the D2 tournament last year after an impressive 29-1 regular season, with their only loss coming to a Lingle-Fort Laramie team from eastern Wyoming. The Eagles were a dominant force in the panhandle and made the long trek to Lincoln for the tournament. Garden County fell in the first round to Humphrey St. Francis to finish the season 29-2. The Eagles from Oshkosh, Nebraska, have a few leaders graduating that will need to be replaced. Among them is middle blocker Kayden Kramer, who was extremely efficient throughout 2019. Also departing are back row specialists Kara Barnhart and DJ Miller. For leadership, Garden County will likely turn to outside hitter Maddie Lake, who led the team in kills last year as a junior. Equally crucial in the team's success next year will be senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Hunt and junior opposite Kamry Kramer. It's a long journey from the panhandle to Lincoln, but Garden County looks to make that trip again in 2020.