Stars Aplenty at Pool C of LPS Classic

My Friday destination was none other than Lincoln Southeast High School, the place where I spent much of my young life. Ah, the nostalgia. Personal high school memories aside, LSE hosted four talented teams Friday for the Pool C portion of the LPS Classic. Omaha Marian, Gretna, Lincoln Southeast, and Lincoln East battled in Prasch Gym throughout the evening, and it became immediately clear that there would plenty of talent on the floor at all times. Let’s take a quick glimpse at some of that talent now.   [player_tooltip player_id="82583" first="Brooke" last="Peltz"] - 5’8 OH - Lincoln East - Class of 2021 I should start by stating the obvious: Lincoln East has not had anything close to an ordinary start to the season. In fact, the season just started. After COVID-19 exposure sidelined the Spartans for almost a month, I was excited to see finally see East in action. Peltz was a player that stood out right away. She is one of a few strong ball control players on this roster that can fill a six-rotation hitter role. Her passing and attacking skills are impressive, and she’s bound to show off those skills as East returns to the spotlight.   [player_tooltip player_id="109470" first="Delaney" last="Novy"] - 5’7 OH - Lincoln East - Class of 2021 Of course, I just mentioned that East has a few outside hitters who can do everything. Novy is another one of those players. I saw her sprawling to make defensive plays in the backcourt. She plays like a libero until she steps up to take swings in the front row. Players like Novy are just really, really exciting. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nice tool off the block from senior OH [player_tooltip player_id="109470" first="Delaney" last="Novy"] from <a href="https://x.com/LincolnEastVol1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LincolnEastVol1</a>, who has had a strong start playing six rotations today! <a href="https://t.co/SswDB65ESI">pic.x.com/SswDB65ESI</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1307055664548786177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="103045" first="Tiffany" last="Wulf"] - 5’10 RS - Lincoln Southeast - Class of 2021 Brittany Wulf, LSE’s 2021 outside hitter committed to Western Illinois, is not the only Wulf who can tear it up for the Knights. Tiffany was a lethal scoring option on the right pin. Then, when she’s done in the front row, she serves absolute darts that gave multiple teams fits on Friday. Dealing with two Wulfs is no easy task. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Gretna looked to be rolling toward a two-set victory, but a huge serving run by [player_tooltip player_id="103045" first="Tiffany" last="Wulf"] brings <a href="https://x.com/LSEVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LSEVolleyball</a> right back! The Knights have forced a third! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/nebpreps?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nebpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/J2DPk3ll9l">pic.x.com/J2DPk3ll9l</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1307077072766943232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="88299" first="Alexis" last="Gates"] - 5’11 MB - Lincoln Southeast - Class of 2022 Gates brought some serious fire for Southeast. Opposing teams who left an overpass hanging above this middle blocker did so at their peril. Gates crushed those. She worked hard to stretch the offense and hammered away on the slide several times. The Knights have a lot of veterans in their lineup, and Gates is one of those they can rely on.   [player_tooltip player_id="109472" first="Macey" last="Carrico"] - 5’10 MB - Omaha Marian - Class of 2021 Carrico is part of an incredibly efficient middle attack for Marian (more on that later). She thrives in front of the setter, as she elevates best off of two feet. Her swings come together in one fluid motion, and it was awesome to watch her crack balls down right in the middle of the court. It’s no wonder why Marian was dominant on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id="58192" first="Mary" last="Claire Daubendiek"] - 6’1 RS - Omaha Marian - Class of 2021 (George Washington University Commit) This George Washington University commit was a beast on the right side. I’ve seen Daubendiek shine in club play, but I like how she’s able to take a big leadership role with her high school team. She can take a high volume of swings, even from right-back. Her college readiness is set to grow even further this year. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> First set to the Crusaders! After going down a couple set points, <a href="https://x.com/MHSCrusadersVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHSCrusadersVB</a> fights back and wins, 26-24!<a href="https://x.com/GW_Volleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GW_Volleyball</a> commit MC Daubendiek with the finish! <a href="https://t.co/gnPAaFZiKz">pic.x.com/gnPAaFZiKz</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1307054390482796545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="59204" first="Amanda" last="Loschen"] - 6’1 MB - Omaha Marian - Class of 2023 I promised to return to the theme of strong Marian middles, and Loschen fits that description. Along with Carrico, the Crusaders have no poor options when they want to run a quick offense. Loschen has incredible range when swinging from the middle, which is probably because she touches so high. A sophomore who has already seen success at many levels, Loschen will continue to develop into one of the state’s best middle attackers. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 2023 MB [player_tooltip player_id="59204" first="Amanda" last="Loschen"] elevates and terminates for <a href="https://x.com/MHSCrusadersVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MHSCrusadersVB</a>! Really liked her play during this year’s club season. <a href="https://t.co/PiErHYLUxx">pic.x.com/PiErHYLUxx</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1307052009644847107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="109477" first="Shaina" last="Russell"] - 5’10 OH - Gretna - Class of 2021 Russell was the go-to for Gretna on Friday. Simply put, she could take all the tough swings. She’s smart about where she places the ball, even when circumstances aren’t going in her favor. When Russell is in rhythm, watch out. She slugged the ball of the block with deadly efficiency. This outside hitter has stepped up amid a variety of injuries on the roster. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> More relentless play from <a href="https://x.com/DragonVB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DragonVB1</a>. 2021 OH [player_tooltip player_id="109477" first="Shaina" last="Russell"] (12) has been stellar for Gretna today, and so has junior setter [player_tooltip player_id="103848" first="Savannah" last="Shelburne"]. <a href="https://t.co/CN6BkpcUwB">pic.x.com/CN6BkpcUwB</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1307075187037343748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="103848" first="Savannah" last="Shelburne"] - 5’7 S - Gretna - Class of 2022 Shelburne is savvy, consistent, and just knows how to play the setting position. The ball just floats out of her hands, and always arrives as a hittable set at the pins. It’s tough for opposing middles to handle, especially when Shelburne mixes in tempo. She has plenty of time left in her prep career, and I can’t wait to see more of this setter moving forward.