Unfinished Business: Class C2 Teams Poised for Postseason Return

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On to C2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've had such a good time getting back into the groove of high school season with these previews. We've already explored some Class A, Class B, and Class C1 teams that look ready to make another postseason trip. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, it's time for Class C2, a group that gave us a historic championship run from Oakland-Craig in 2021. The Knights proved that any team can emerge from the C2 field to challenge for a title, so don't limit your scope to just these teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sutton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fillies entered the 2021 state championships as the sixth-overall seed. Despite being labeled as an underdog in the eight-team bracket, Sutton quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with and battled all the way to the C2 title match. No one will overlook Sutton anymore, and there's reason to believe that this team will return to Lincoln in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dominant players in last year's Class C2 postseason was middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='172071' first='Alivia' last='Huxoll']. She returns for her senior season and has the lofty task of besting her dominant 2021 season. If her postseason surge is any indication, Huxoll should have no problem guiding the Sutton offense against the most stacked teams in Class C2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lily McCroden</strong> is another reason for optimism on Sutton's 2022 roster. This versatile athlete has experience playing up an age group (or two) during club season with VCN, and her performances in big matches have put her on the Class of 2024 radar in Nebraska. The Fillies will surely appreciate McCroden's combination of sharp defensive skills and frontcourt aggression on the pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on Sutton's backcourt players, too. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='210300' first='Maddie' last='Baxa'] has a good opportunity to step up and make an impact with the Fillies, and junior Reagan Robinson can do the same. I'm anxious to see how the rest of the team's roster pieces come together as we get ever closer to the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amherst</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the Broncos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":216409,"width":340,"height":223,"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_4327.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-216409" width="340" height="223" /><figcaption>Katy Prickett keeps the ball in play for Amherst at the 2021 state championships.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like showcases of frontcourt firepower, this might be the Class C2 team for you in 2022. A big reason to get excited about Amherst this fall is the return of do-everything outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122819' first='Hannah' last='Herrick']</strong>. The rising junior put down five kills per set last season and did it on a scorching .317 hitting percentage. Herrick's defensive skills are progressing, too, and she can certainly stake her claim as one of Class C2's most impactful players this fall. That, of course, would go a long way toward propelling the Broncos back to Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on a few of Amherst's other returning talents, too. The family duo of <strong>Katy Prickett</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122830' first='Saryn' last='Prickett']</strong> will surely be in the mix again after putting up some nice numbers a season ago. The backcourt is set up for success, too, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122828' first='Josie' last='Loshonkohl']</strong> comes back after pacing the Broncos in the dig category.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarkson/Leigh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's more small-town talent to be found with Clarkson/Leigh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots were one of the steadiest teams throughout last year's C2 slate and left little doubt that they would end up in Lincoln. One year later, I'm looking forward to seeing that same kind of consistency as Clarkson/Leigh seeks postseason redemption.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":216293,"width":340,"height":223,"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_4382-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-216293" width="340" height="223" /><figcaption>Hanel (4) puts up the block for Clarkson/Leigh at the 2021 state championships.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='122806' first='Chloe' last='Hanel'] played a big part in Clarkson/Leigh's resurgence to the C2 forefront. She compiled nearly 400 kills last season on a scorching .352 hitting percentage--and did all that as a sophomore. It's scary to think that Hanel could be even better in 2022, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's even more dominant. The Patriots will let Hanel attack on the left, in the middle, or anywhere in between. The result is usually the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkson/Leigh will still need a total team effort this year, and replacing players like Kennedy Settje and Makenna Held will not be easy. Still, there are even more returning players that are looking to expand their roles on this year's squad. <strong>Korbee Wendt</strong> will play a vital role in the frontcourt and can slot into a variety of positions along the net. Likewise, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492357' first='Gracelyn' last='Eisenmann']</strong> has another big opportunity with the Patriots after getting plenty of reps in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Clarkson/Leigh to hover around the top of the Class C2 leaderboard yet again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->