Unfinished Business: Class A Teams Poised for Postseason Return

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to bring back the Unfinished Business series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before last year's high school season, we introduced this series to look at teams that made the state tournament in 2020 and had a good shot of returning to Lincoln in 2021. We're building off that same premise here to check out a few teams who came up just short of a title last season but look ready to make another move at the trophy this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These squads have some unfinished business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may seem like a layup to include last year's Class A runner-up, but this feature wouldn't feel complete without Millard West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An appearance in the state championship match is quite an accomplishment in itself, so the Wildcats deserve a lot of credit for what they accomplished in 2021 with a largely new-look roster. Millard West's lineup is undergoing another transition this fall, but there are also some returning veterans that should have fans optimistic about what's ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with those familiar faces. Louisville commit [player_tooltip player_id='103095' first='Alanna' last='Bankston'] returns for her senior season and brings the same all-around attacking skills we saw with Premier 17 Gold this spring. She can play any frontcourt position but will likely play on the pin for Millard West to maximize her offensive opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of pin hitters, [player_tooltip player_id='59200' first='Evan' last='Glade'] will see her role in the lineup expand as she enters her final high school campaign. She recently gave her college pledge to SMU and boasts some six-rotation skills that Millard West always values from its starting hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A trio of key senior leaders is complete with setter [player_tooltip player_id='104588' first='Skylar' last='Walters']. The Minnesota State commit did not miss a beat when she took the reins of the Millard West offense last year, and we expect Walters to really find her comfort zone as a senior. It helps to be surrounded by hitters like Glade and Bankston who will undoubtedly generate some great scoring production for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, there are a few big voids to fill from the 2022 graduating class. Maddie MacTaggart was an incredibly consistent contributor on the outside, and she carried a similar role that Glade will look to fill on this year's squad. We'll also wait to see who steps in at libero with Ella Hazen graduating, and there are a couple more open spots in the middle with Sadie Millard and Kylah Brewer departing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omaha Westside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontcourt firepower certainly won't be a problem for Omaha Westside this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors were just a set away from clinching a spot in last fall's Class A state title match. It was a historic moment for Westside's volleyball program, but I wouldn't blame the Warriors for hoping to accomplish more in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a "who's who" of returning players that have us excited about the Warriors heading into the fall. Creighton commit [player_tooltip player_id='59208' first='Destiny' last='Ndam-Simpson'] is back for one final year after making an indelible mark during her debut season with Westside last year. She's not the only D1-bound senior on the left pin, either, as she is joined by South Dakota pledge [player_tooltip player_id='103097' first='Samantha' last='Laird'] at that position to form one of the best high school hitting combos in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":215253,"width":389,"height":259,"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_5180-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-215253" width="389" height="259"/><figcaption>Ndam-Simpson swings for Omaha Westside in the 2021 Class A semifinals.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's veteran D1 talent in the middle, too. [player_tooltip player_id='109071' first='Kensington' last='Tekrony'], who will head to Dartmouth in 2023, will be an important hitter for opposing blockers to track when Westside gets a good pass. If ball handling is on point, TeKrony will get plenty of opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckily, passing and floor defense should be yet another strength for the Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id='109069' first='Jocelyn' last='Healy'] has been so solid for this program in a variety of positions, whether she's at defensive specialist or setter. Several other pin hitters could also contribute to Westside's success on first contact, including [player_tooltip player_id='124775' first='Tatum' last='Godinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='122761' first='Eleanor' last='Brislen'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Papillion-La Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Papio expects to be in the championship hunt every November. The Monarchs made it to Lincoln again last year despite having a young roster full of new faces. So much has changed since that fall 2021 season, and there's reason to believe that Papillion-La Vista can get right back to its regular status as one of Class A's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of eyes will rightfully be on Papio's 2024 class. Throughout the club season, we documented [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy']'s rise as one of the most intimidating middle attackers in the country. She was electric off of one foot for Premier 16 Gold, and now she'll have a similar feature role with the Monarchs. Let the breakout year continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":215252,"width":389,"height":259,"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_1804-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-215252" width="389" height="259"/><figcaption>Glaser attacks for Papillion-La Vista during the 2021 high school season.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It also helps that Tvrdy will be reunited with her 16 Gold setter, [player_tooltip player_id='109586' first='Reagan' last='Hickey']. It might seem tough to make the Class A state tournament with an underclassman setter, but Papio had no problem trusting Hickey to deliver. She stepped into the lineup as a freshman and didn't slow down as a sophomore. Now, Hickey is a seasoned junior who can lead her team back to Lincoln and leave her mark as one of Nebraska's top setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='109602' first='Morgan' last='Glaser'] is yet another Premier Nebraska athlete who will carry a ton of responsibilities with the Monarchs. She spent a lot of time with Tvrdy and Hickey on that 16 Gold squad and showed her versatility while the team regrouped after some injuries. Papillion-La Vista primarily used Glaser as a left-side hitter last year, but she also has vast club experience at opposite. We'll see how it shakes out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->