2023 HS Preview: Nebraska’s Class A Teams on the Rise

Let's put a few more teams on your radar.   Class A is always a competitive gauntlet packed with several championship-caliber teams. We've already discussed postseason prospects for a few Class A teams in our Unfinished Business series, but that addresses only part of the picture heading into this fall.   So, we're reaching beyond last year's tournament participants to find a few more Class A teams on the rise in 2023. Could this group bring about Nebraska's next surprise team?     Grand Island   Let's start at the western boundaries of Class A.   The Islanders have a shot to disrupt the firm grip that Lincoln and Omaha teams have on the Class A race. Serious talent on the GISH squad can put this group on the map after going 21-12 last fall.   It all starts with the wicked combination of [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='104983' first='Haedyn' last='Hoos'] on the outside. This duo has now collectively reached upperclassman status and cranked out a massive share of GISH's kills in 2022. Traudt took a big step forward during the recently concluded club season and built off a 400-kill sophomore campaign with the Islanders. Her impact won't just be felt in the frontcourt, however, as Traudt plays lockdown defense and will be a staple in the passing formation. The same can be said of Hoos, who will embark on her senior year after being a terminal trailblazer throughout her prep career.   More key returners add to Grand Island's potential surge this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='393554' first='Keira' last='Jones'] has made her presence felt on the right pin and will add to the balanced Islander offense. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='104980' first='Lauren' last='Taylor'] is back to run the show at setter and was one of the most effective distributors in the state last year.   These veterans are ready to take the next step.     Fremont   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/IMG_9955-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-223281" width="546" height="364" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fremont competes at the 2022 Heartland Crossroads Invitational.</figcaption></figure>   Past seasons have proven that Fremont can compete on Class A's biggest stage. Let's see if the Tigers can return to Lincoln.   Fremont's 2023 roster composition looks favorable to make that kind of breakthrough. It helps to have one of Nebraska's most prolific scorers back in the fold: [player_tooltip player_id='155050' first='Mattie' last='Dalton']. The rising junior had a nearly unrivaled 2022 campaign in attacking volume and efficiency. Dalton compiled over 500 kills last season, equating to about 5.5 kills per set in addition to all the other six-rotation skills she brings to the floor. Her reign atop Nebraska's leaderboards will continue.   A stout group of returners elevates the optimism surrounding the Tigers. [player_tooltip player_id='276191' first='Elena' last='Estudillo'] burst onto the scene last season with a strong freshman year in the libero jersey. She will be surrounded by other strong floor defenders like [player_tooltip player_id='189375' first='Kate' last='Denker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349420' first='McKinzie' last='Brandt']. Denker, meanwhile, will also take care of setting duties as she did during her sophomore season in 2022.     Columbus   We're still rolling out some Class A sleeper picks from outside the big cities. Let's make a short hop from Fremont to Columbus.   A medley of strong all-around performers could thrust the Discoverers into the spotlight this fall. Many of these athletes have also made huge strides during this year's club season, giving us further confidence in Columbus.   Another six-rotation star kicks off this roster conversation. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='124771' first='Addison' last='Johnson'] will set the pace for Columbus on the outside after tallying over 300 kills a year ago. Her steady hand in the passing pattern will be equally valuable, and it's a skill we've seen flourish in the Nebraska Elite gym.   More attackers are sharpening their skills for the Discoverers, too. [player_tooltip player_id='237412' first='Taytum' last='Miller'] will be a force at the net regardless of which position she plays. Meanwhile, sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'] is due for a sophomore surge after showcasing a wicked arm with Premier Nebraska this spring. A go-to middle blocker who can score off of one foot is a luxury, and Erb brings that kind of skill set.     Lincoln Pius X   We'll wrap up our tour in the Capitol City.   Lincoln Pius X loses a fair amount of production from last year's team but can make up those voids in a variety of ways. There's always more young talent coming up the pipeline at this program, and we expect no different in 2023.   Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] is surely one source of Thunderbolt optimism. She put together one of the most efficient seasons of any Nebraska prep player last year with an astounding 0.401 hitting percentage. We've even seen her embrace an outside hitter role in recent club events, so nothing is impossible when Venable becomes a Pius X upperclassman.   [player_tooltip player_id='187810' first='Sidda' last='Hagedorn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='462423' first='Keeleigh' last='Knobbe'] will be two more valuable veterans to watch in the frontcourt. There's a changing of the guard at the setter position, however, and [player_tooltip player_id='187808' first='Samantha' last='Chesley'] will be a name to know in this positional battle. Her marked improvement with VCN has shown that she can take command and bring Pius X back to postseason form.

Let's put a few more teams on your radar.