The Digging Crew of the 2024’s
The term “It all starts with a pass” comes to mind with this young group of players. These are the players that are starting the plays and keeping their teams in system with the first touch on their side of…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe term “It all starts with a pass” comes to mind with this young group of players. These are the players that are starting the plays and keeping their teams in system with the first touch on their side of the net.
-11-
Olivia Mauch
Olivia
Mauch
5'7" | DS/L
Bennington | 2024
State
#49
Nation
NE
| 5’7 | Libero | Bennington
Leading the Badger team with 5.9 digs/set and 6.1 receptions/set, this young libero has started strong in what will be a record breaking career.
Co-writer Austin Kingsley sums up Olivia in the article Top Performers in Week 2 Action writing – I often like to end my features with a look at some young players who exemplify the bright future of prep volleyball in Nebraska. That’s exactly what Mauch represents. This freshman libero was a leader for her Badger squad when they faced off against Norris on Thursday. She was so active defensively and constantly worked to take the first ball whenever she could. I saw Norris actively try to serve away from Mauch, who consistently came up with great passes whenever she got her chance. A small-town prodigy who is a part of a great club team, Mauch should develop into a big-time libero in a class full of players with a ton of potential.
Two Norris freshman make our list as defensive specialists! They are currently learning the role of digging like an archaeologist from senior libero Molly Ramsey (5’4 | Kansas State). Coach Christina Boesiger comments, “Both Alivia and Sydney have a great role model in Molly Ramsey to train under.”
-14-
Alivia Hausman | 5’5 | DS | Norris | Premier 15 Gold
1.4 digs/set, 1.5 receptions/set, 24 ace serves at 85.3%
Coach Boesiger – Alivia has been a great addition to our varsity team this year. She is a setter on her club team, so she runs the scout side of offense half of the time and then plays as a DS on the starting side. Alivia is a very athletic volleyball player. She has transitioned well to her new role as a defensive player.
AND
-29-
Sydney Gudthard | 5’4 | Defensive Specialist | Norris
1.3 digs/set, 2.9 receptions/set
Coach Boesiger – Sydney has had a great start to her high school career at Norris. We have seen huge growth in her passing and her consistency. She is very quick and is never afraid to make a move on the ball.
-19-
Anna Borner
Anna
Borner
5'4" | DS/L
DC West | 2024
State
NE
| 5’4 | Libero | DC West (Pictured above)
5.4 digs/set, 6.1 receptions/set, 45 ace serves at 88.2%
Leading her team in digs, receptions, and aces, Borner is the type of player that will take DC West to the next level. Once Borner and fellow Falcon #7 on our list MH Nora Wurtz Nora Wurtz 6'4" | MB DC West | 2024 State #109 Nation NE find their groove, look for this Class C1 team to add more marks in the win column.
Coach Bob Wald – Anna has become a vocal leader in the back row and covers the court very well. She picks up balls that you can’t imagine anyone else getting. She’s doing very high-level things and her ability and skill level are only going to get better. She set a school record with 41 digs against Beatrice, she has also had 25 and 31 digs in games this year as well. She is also a great server as she leads us in aces with 36 and serving about 90%.
-21- & -22-
Haylee Wolf
Haylee
Wolf
5'7" | DS/L
Elkhorn North | 2024
State
NE
| Elkhorn North &
Courtney Christo
Courtney
Christo
5'7" | DS/L
Elkhorn North | 2024
State
NE
| Elkhorn North | Nebraska Elite
Being at a brand new school with brand new everything, the Wolves only have freshman and sophomores at the school and on the roster. These two freshman lead their team in digs and spend a lot of time receiving serves.
Haylee – 5.8 digs/set, 3.1 receptions/set, 89.1% serving
Courtney – 4.1 digs/set, 6.5 receptions/set
-27-
Paisley Douglas
Paisley
Douglas
5'5" | DS/L
Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2024
State
#123
Nation
NE
| 5’5 | Libero | Wahoo Bishop Neuman
After a team quarantine, the Cavaliers got off to a late start. Paisley’s stats through 10 matches: 3.8 digs/set, 6.12 receptions/set, 9 ace serves.
Coach Brandi Sladky – She’s probably the most reserved, composed player I ever coached. She plays like older and much more experienced than she is!
-31-
Lauren Taylor
Lauren
Taylor
5'5" | DS/L
Grand Island | 2024
State
NE
| 5’7 | L/DS | Grand Island Central Catholic
1.0 digs/set, 1.4 receptions/set
Coach Sharon Zavala – Lauren Taylor Lauren Taylor 5'5" | DS/L Grand Island | 2024 State NE has a great platform and her ability to serve receive accurately has helped our team to stay in-system.
-32-
Reese Boyd
Reese
Boyd
5'5" | DS/L
Lincoln Southwest | 2024
State
NE
| 5’5 | L | Lincoln East
2.1 digs/set
With numerous freshman on the roster, this is another team under quarantine that has not seen a lot of court time.
-37-
Mackinley Scholl
Mackinley
Scholl
5'8" | DS/L
Falls City | 2024
State
NE
| 5’8 | L | Falls City
5.6 digs/set, 6.6 receptions/set, 15 ace serves at 93.1%
With only one senior on the roster, the Tigers have three freshmen that have put the time in during the offseason with club volleyball to vie for solid positions. Mackinley shows her prowess in the back row passing and digging to freshman setter Ashleigh Kirkendall Ashleigh Kirkendall 5'8" | S Falls City | 2024 State NE (#36 on our list, these two are interchangeable in the ranking, K comes before S so Ashleigh got the nod to be listed first). Lexi Brewer rounds out this class of freshmen for Falls City to look for in the future to maintain a solid core to work around and increase their win percentage.
A NOTE ABOUT RANKINGS
Player rankings are a constant work in progress, especially with athletes at the 15s and 16s level. Some players hit their stride at different times and for others its a matter of getting their chance whether its high school or club. We seek feedback from coaches around the state and are always looking to add names as well as update information. For the players, your ranking does not define you. This is a list that is a resource for schools, it’s fun to see athletes from across the state, and is a great way to connect players with each other as well as coaches throughout the country.