Unfinished Business: Class C1, C2 Teams Ready for Tourney Repeat

These two classes love to deliver some postseason drama.   In case you missed it, we've ushered in our 2023 high school season previews with <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/unfinished-business-class-a-and-b-teams-ready-for-tourney-repeat/">Class A and B</a> teams looking to make a postseason return after narrowly missing out on the state title last year. That same motif carries into today's preview of Class C1 and C2.   Note that we're sorting teams for this series based on last fall's classification. We'll have our own set of previews for teams that are moving around the classification ladder, so stay tuned!     Class C1   Gothenburg   It's been quite a climb for Gothenburg. After having no prior state tournament appearances before 2021, the Swedes have racked up two consecutive trips to Lincoln, including an appearance in last year's C1 title match. Can we go for the hat trick?   Some senior leaders depart from the 2022 squad. Prolific scorers like Kara Waskowiak and Kynlee Strauser have graduated, and Nebraska All-Star honoree Emily Cornwell leaves a significant void at the libero spot. Still, Gothenburg will boast a familiar core group that can help bring the team back into the spotlight. [player_tooltip player_id='104982' first='Clara' last='Evert'] is back at the left-side hitter spot after a 400-kill junior campaign. Other standout veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='173534' first='Taryn' last='O'Hare'] and [player_tooltip player_id='459979' first='Madison' last='Smith'] are building off of breakout seasons, and [player_tooltip player_id='256654' first='Ashlyn' last='Richeson'] returns to tie everything together at setter.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588632061241589760?s=20 </div></figure>     Minden   The hype surrounding Minden will likely persist in 2023.   A 32-3 regular season record placed the Whippets in the #2 slot in last year's Class C1 tournament. Minden rolled into the semifinals before narrowly falling to eventual champion GICC. Senior leaders from the 2022 team included Bailey Rogers, Sloane Beck, Halle Space, and Keitan Bienhoff. That's a lot of seasoned veterans to replace, but the Whippets are equipped to keep up their winning standard.   It all starts with rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='173530' first='Mattie' last='Kamery'], who was one of Nebraska's most efficient kill producers while also carrying a part-time setting role in the starting rotation. And, speaking of setter-hitter hybrids, [player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'] had a massive freshman debut as a do-it-all athlete and will rise to the occasion again this fall.   Look for more high-impact players like Mariah Lempka and [player_tooltip player_id='269931' first='Kinsie' last='Land'] to elevate their game after so much valuable experience from a year ago. It's all coming together for another November trip to Lincoln.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1570863009060495360?s=20 </div></figure>     Kearney Catholic   Of course, we always expect Kearney Catholic to be in the title hunt.   The 2022 season offered a unique dynamic with such a young Stars lineup taking the floor. This youthful crew still produced a 25-8 regular season and a bid to the Class C2 tournament, so optimism should soar heading into 2023.   Class of 2024 standouts [player_tooltip player_id='256642' first='Londyn' last='Carnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172601' first='Aibrey' last='Mandernach'] went toe-to-toe for the team lead in kills last year. Both are back for a chance at redemption. [player_tooltip player_id='393536' first='Margaret' last='Haarberg'] will be worth watching on the pin after her stock soared during the recent club season.   And the list goes on. [player_tooltip player_id='393535' first='Callie' last='Squiers'] will maintain firm control of the team's offense as a physical 5-1 setter. We'll also have our eyes on senior libero Maleigh Johnson, who has cemented her place in a long line of talented Kearney Catholic defenders.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1570891714080145408?s=20 </div></figure>     Class C2   Clarkson/Leigh   Moving up to Class C2 didn't stop Clarkson/Leigh from breaking into last year's tournament. Time to run it back.   The sole senior on Clarkson/Leigh's 2022 scorecard was Korbee Wendt, an attacker whose efficiency will certainly be missed. But with almost an entire roster coming back for another season, it's hard not to like what the Patriots could bring into the new year.   [player_tooltip player_id='122806' first='Chloe' last='Hanel'] has been a regular name atop Nebraska kill leaderboards for multiple seasons. That shouldn't change for her senior outing. Clarkson/Leigh's supporting cast in the frontcourt has also been extraordinary, with [player_tooltip player_id='495056' first='Brynn' last='Settje'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492357' first='Gracelyn' last='Eisenmann'] providing their share of scoring. The starting crew also wouldn't be complete without [player_tooltip player_id='269955' first='Izzy' last='Hollatz'], who has become one of small-town Nebraska's top 2025 setters.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588313398155964416?s=20 </div></figure>     Oakland-Craig   Oakland-Craig has some big voids to fill in 2022 after winning the 2021 state championship for the school's first-ever title. That didn't stop the Knights from breaking through again and securing a repeat trip to Lincoln. Could a similar storyline materialize again?   Maycie Johnson and Shea Johnson are undoubtedly significant graduations in 2023. But it's hard not to get excited about a core group of juniors that includes setter [player_tooltip player_id='173535' first='Adi' last='Rennerfeldt'], outside hitter Bailey Helzer, and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='269932' first='Gretchen' last='Seagren']. The connection between this trio is enough to spark another run to Lincoln regardless of any other circumstances.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588357885469556738?s=20 </div></figure>     Cross County   Cross County's tight-knit group of versatile athletes engineered a return to the state tournament last year. Even with some big departures, that narrative could prevail yet again.   Departing seniors Bren Lemburg, Taylor Lindburg, and Jayden Fellows will inevitably leave gaps that need to be filled. Many of the team's 2023 roster shuffles remain to be seen, but there's returning talent here, too. [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'] immediately seized control of the setter spot with a phenomenal freshman season. She may do a bit of attacking this year, too. [player_tooltip player_id='104974' first='Shyanne' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='104973' first='Lilly' last='Peterson'] highlight the Cougars' strong 2024 class, while Bricelynn Larson will be productive among the 2025s.

These two classes love to deliver some postseason drama.