Twas the Night Before the State Tournament: Class A and B

Erica Twarling November 2, 2021 @ 09:39 PM

"A season long journey follows a path to greatness. A destination. A dream. A quest for excellence. It’s your time...Play Like a Champion ’’ This is the quote from the NSAA website on Twitter gearing up teams and fans for the quest for the coveted gold medal. Nebraska State Volleyball kicks off tomorrow in Lincoln, NE at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Here is a quick run down for some players to keep an eye on throughout the tournament. There are a lot of youngsters experiencing the tournament for the first time in the two biggest classes and I am highlighting some of them to keep on your radar! It will be fun to see how they handle the big stage! Class A: Fremont: This Cinderella story is hoping the slipper fits as they face a tall order facing undefeated #1 seed Papillion-LaVista South. The Tigers (22-8) are back at the Class A state tournament for the first time in 38 years. They claimed the eight and final spot with 44.2667 wild card points. Keep an eye on 6"1" Senior MB Gracie Williams who has hammered 263 kills and has 73 total blocks on the year. She is an outstanding blocker for the Tigers. Fellow 5’8" senior Mya Bolden has 43 ace serves and 164 kills. Fremont has two fantastic freshmen to keep on your radar, and to keep an eye on for the future in 5’10" Brylee Nelsen has a great versatile swing from either pin and gets her feet to the ball quickly. She has 527 set assists, 158 kills and 22 aces in her freshman campaign. 5’9" [player_tooltip player_id="155050" first="Mattie" last="Dalton"] has a quick arm swing and has hammered 228 kills and chipped in 19 ace serves. [caption id="attachment_103440" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-103440" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8219-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Photo: Her mother took the photo-[player_tooltip player_id="58783" first="Skylar" last="McCune"][/caption] Gretna: 5’8" senior Creighton commit [player_tooltip player_id="58783" first="Skylar" last="McCune"], who was sidelined with injury has made a stellar return to the court this fall for the (25-8) Dragons. She has hammered away 432 kills and has 27 ace serves. To go along with her outstanding front row play is her 439 digs for the young Dragons. She is an absolute game changer for Gretna. Keep an eye on MB [player_tooltip player_id="155044" first="Elle" last="Heckenlively"]. She had 12 kills against Papillion-LaVista South. She is quick and runs the slide really well. Heckenlively has 244 kills and 41 blocks on the year. Class B: Ekhorn North: The Timberwolves (21-11) will be looking to add a volleyball title to their basketball state title in the school’s second year of existence. Keep an eye on 5’8’’ sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id="109593" first="Reese" last="Booth"], who has 880 set assists and 38 aces this year. She is an amazing leader on the floor and plays with a lot of energy! She will be distributing the ball among the talented Heaney sisters for sure. 6’2’’ junior [player_tooltip player_id="59201" first="Grace" last="Heaney"] has pounded 404 kills this year and has 52 ace serves. She is a lefty and is lethal on the right side with a fast arm swing and can jump out of the gym. Her 6’0" freshman OH sister Shay has 237 kills this season and is very lengthy and athletic with a quick arm swing. Norris: The (33-2) Titans will be looking for redemption from their Runner-Up trophy last year and they have the personnel and drive to do it this year. The Titans have a super senior trio with Husker commit setter [player_tooltip player_id="37546" first="Maisie" last="Boesiger"] who has 946 set assists and 66 aces on the year. Washburn commit [player_tooltip player_id="37542" first="Ella" last="Waters"] who has pounded 427 kills and Concordia commit [player_tooltip player_id="82269" first="Sydney" last="Jelinek"] who also hammered away 291 kills. Add in junior [player_tooltip player_id="59203" first="Gracie" last="Kircher"] who has 254 kills and Norris has so many options offensively. While their front row is more experienced their back row is young, but super talented. Keep an eye on freshman libero [player_tooltip player_id="155030" first="Anna" last="Jelinek"]. She has been all over the floor this year digging up balls and is a great serve receiver. Anna has 441 digs in her freshman campaign. Her confidence and leadership has grown throughout the season as well. Norris entire backrow is full of freshman and sophomores! It should be a fun couple of days in Lincoln and it will be exciting to see these aforementioned youngsters on the floor competing for a State Title! Let’s Play Volleyball!!