Nebraska 2023 Rankings Update: New Additions (Part 1)
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We’re finally refreshing our Nebraska rankings in the wake of this year’s high school season. Our first update is for the seniors. The Class of 2023 has generated so much excitement around the Cornhusker State for the past several years,…
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Continue ReadingWe’re finally refreshing our Nebraska rankings in the wake of this year’s high school season. Our first update is for the seniors.
The Class of 2023 has generated so much excitement around the Cornhusker State for the past several years, and we continue to add to the list of names that helped generate that drama. This update is about giving a nod to a few more 2023s who went out on top in their final prep campaigns.
Here’s Part 1 of our new additions to the 2023 rankings.
Bayer was a no-brainer addition to this set of rankings. Her impact with Howells-Dodge was massive, and she was a rare six-rotation middle blocker who could play gritty floor defense and even take first contacts in serve receive. Bayer is one of several seniors who helped elevate the Jaguars to back-to-back titles, so this 2023 class will go down as one of the schools best ever.
Malcolm pin hitters usually know how to fill up the stat sheet. Sedlak was proficient in nearly every statistical category this year, piling up nearly 400 kills and 300 digs. But, again, this is just another case of the Clippers program building an impactful, all-around athlete on the pin.
Emanuel’s multi-sport influence at North Bend Central has been nothing short of spectacular. Along with many of her volleyball teammates, Emanuel started off the year by winning a state basketball title this spring. She then transitioned to the fall season and was a dominant force in the middle for a Tiger squad that seldom lost this year.
It’s fair to say that Cedar Catholic’s offense found a late-season groove this year. McGregor was a major catalyst for this success, as she had a knack for setting her hitters with precise tempo and location almost every time. Few players in the tournament could match her consistency.
Branham-Beck is another frontcourt standout who made Class C1’s championship race so fascinating. Minden drew up a variety of routes and patterns to get Branham-Beck involved, and the veteran middle blocker promptly delivered and put away nearly 200 kills this season.
Lincoln Lutheran’s undefeated season could not have been possible without its incredible leaders at every position, and middle blocker is certainly no exception. Young was one of two senior starters at this position who locked down the net with her blocking. Better yet, Young was effective in transition to give the Warriors effective scorers regardless of the frontcourt lineup.
This Meridian digging machine will graduate as a memorable and impactful multi-sport athlete for the Mustangs. Her head-spinning numbers on the volleyball court land her on this feature, as Pribyl racked up over 500 digs in her final season and helped Meridian reach its first state tournament since 2017.
Here’s Young’s partner-in-crime at middle blocker for Lincoln Lutheran. Ernstmeyer and Young nearly matched each other in the blocking category this fall, so the Warriors never seemed to miss a beat in any rotation. Of course, Ernstmeyer also provided plenty of effective swings to supplement that balanced offense that never let Lincoln Lutheran down.
Miller is another one of those small-town setters whose steady leadership made her a standout setter in the 2023 class. This savvy signal-caller was a participant in multiple state tournaments with Cambridge and always had a knack for finding the hot hand in clutch situations.
Gothenburg channeled a lot of experienced leadership during this year’s championship appearance, and Waskowiak was one of those players who provided a seasoned presence in the middle. She was an indispensable part of the Swedes lineup and chipped in on some key blocks during the team’s special run to the title match.
Fiala always seemed right at home in the state championships, and it probably helps that she had back-to-back years of standout performances on the big stage. Perhaps my favorite element of Fiala’s game was her willingness to be aggressive on setter dumps, even if much taller blockers stood in her way.