Nebraska’s Opening Thursday Matches to Follow

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the 2022 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're all anxious to kick off Nebraska's high school season. There's a new atmosphere around the community when fall arrives, and people in the Cornhusker State are already scanning this weekend's matchups in search of some must-see contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's what I'm doing for this feature. Nebraska's first regular season matches are on Thursday, and a few intriguing matches stand out in this group. Wherever your prep fandom lies, there's probably something in this feature for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep close tabs on these contests on opening day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elkhorn vs. Elkhorn North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elkhorn grudge match is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These neighbors have a chance to take a big step forward in 2022. Granted, there are few achievements left to reach for Elkhorn North after almost making the Class B championship match a year ago. With lethal attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='59201' first='Grace' last='Heaney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='171631' first='Kailey' last='Hrbek'] and superior ball control from libero [player_tooltip player_id='109595' first='Haylee' last='Wolf'] and setter [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'], the Wolves will make their third season a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, Elkhorn deploys its own strong senior class with players like Kaelyn Andersen and Wichita State commit [player_tooltip player_id='59213' first='Haley' last='Wolfe'] (not to be confused with [player_tooltip player_id='109595' first='Haylee' last='Wolf']!).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Island vs. Lincoln East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feels familiar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2021, I kicked off my high school coverage season by visiting Lincoln East for a contest between these two teams. It's the Islanders' turn to host the season opener this time, and this match promises to be a fascinating barometer for both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pin-hitting matchups alone make this contest one to follow. Lincoln East boasts an impressive frontcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='109612' first='Megan' last='Waters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='187800' first='Brynne' last='Topolski'] leading the way on the pins. However, GISH can counter that strength with a combination of [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='104983' first='Haedyn' last='Hoos'], which could evolve into one of central Nebraska's best attacking duos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":154847,"width":395,"height":263,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/IMG_1434.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-154847" width="395" height="263"/><figcaption>Hoos swings against Lincoln East in Grand Island's 2021 season opener.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't lose sight of the middles, either. Grand Island's Rylie Huff is set to face off against fellow 2023 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='112002' first='Brooklyn' last='Fuchs'] from Lincoln East. That's how you kick off the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Lutheran vs. Waverly</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have some intriguing transitions to talk about with both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Lutheran's transition involves hopping over to Class C2 for the 2022 season after winning the C1 state title a year ago. It's a fascinating move that will have the Warriors thinking about a lot of new opponents in the case of another postseason run. That's a long way out, though, and Lincoln Lutheran will be more focused on this tough opening Thursday opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly is coming to town. It's a bit of a new era for the Vikings, who are looking to replace six-rotation superstar Bekka Allick, who is now playing her college ball for the Huskers. I'll have my eye on this team's young roster in early-season competition as Waverly's powerhouse program finds a footing in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oakland-Craig vs. Howells-Dodge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about a matchup between two defending champions?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland-Craig and Howells-Dodge are both looking for back-to-back titles and will fittingly start this fall's season in the same gym. Like Lincoln Lutheran, Howells-Dodge is reclassifying after its championship and will join the Class D2 field for the upcoming volleyball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":219620,"width":395,"height":262,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/IMG_5465-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-219620" width="395" height="262"/><figcaption>Rennerfeldt runs the Oakland-Craig offense in the 2021 Class C2 state championship match.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can also draw parallels between these teams' rosters. Oakland-Craig has the difficult task of replacing graduating senior Bailey Helzer, while Howells-Dodge must do the same with Ellie Baumert departing for Texas Tech. Up-and-coming talent will surely help fill in the gaps, though. [player_tooltip player_id='173535' first='Adi' last='Rennerfeldt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173516' first='Brandi' last='Helzer'] will lead the way for the defending C2 champs, and [player_tooltip player_id='59193' first='Grace' last='Baumert'] is entering a momentous senior year with the Jaguars. It all starts here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sutton vs. Exeter-Milligan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple more impressive teams from last year's small-town scene will meet to start the 2022 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutton will be keen not to settle for C2 runner-up this year, and the talent is there to make another charge to Lincoln. [player_tooltip player_id='172071' first='Alivia' last='Huxoll'] and Lily McCroden return to anchor the frontcourt and will have a solid supporting cast, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the net, Exeter-Milligan will hope to find itself after the graduation of do-everything attacker Cameran Jansky. We will likely see some increased production from Jasmine Turrubiates and Malorie Staskal while the Timberwolves redefine their offense in 2022. I'm excited to watch it unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennington vs. Lincoln Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is new!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Northwest has arrived. Add another brand-new school to your list of teams to follow, even if you have no idea what Northwest is bringing this year. I certainly don't, but I'm thrilled to have another team to watch in my own backyard. Welcome to the pack!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennington is the first team on Northwest's docket, and the Badgers will be a fun group to follow once again. Nebraska libero commit [player_tooltip player_id='109590' first='Olivia' last='Mauch'] leads this team, and you can never rule out her playing outside hitter from time to time. Senior leadership will come from [player_tooltip player_id='102194' first='Lauren' last='Buzbee'] in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->