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

Your turn, Class B!   Yesterday, we started examining some Class A sleeper teams that might make a postseason push after missing out on the big dance in 2022. Nebraska offers a wide array of potential breakout teams in every class, so we were just bringing out the first teams in a long, long list.   So, let's keep it going with Class B.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/614-Sierra-Crist-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-447045" width="469" height="313" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Crist</figcaption></figure>   Crete   Here's a small-town school you can't leave out of the Class B race.   Crete boasts a collection of familiar names for those who followed this year's club season. Sierra Crist stands out right away. The rising junior made headlines during the spring as a do-it-all utility player who was added to the [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Synergy roster. The move was clearly fruitful, as Crist helped 16 Synergy finish third nationally and played just about any position you can imagine. Her role with the Cardinals will likely remain an all-around outside hitter who can take clutch swings whenever needed. Let's see if Crist can build off of a 400-kill sophomore campaign.   Middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='256647' first='Marin' last='Rasgorshek'] is another [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] standout who represents Crete on the prep side. Her experience in the 18s age group at the beginning of the year will pay dividends during the rigors of high school competition. Rasgorshek will be efficient and terminal.   Elsewhere, keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='342561' first='Hadley' last='Swiercinsky']. The VCN athlete has made her name as a standout libero, but she also earned reps as a hitter with the Cardinals. We'll see which side of Swiercinsky's game materializes this fall.     Beatrice   Youth was a major storyline for Beatrice last fall, so you can imagine there's some building hype around a large returning group.   Almost all of Beatrice's offensive producers are back for another year. That includes [player_tooltip player_id='172604' first='Kiera' last='Busboom'], a versatile athlete who does some setting in addition to her impactful swings in the frontcourt. Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='214008' first='Annie' last='Gleason'] was right in lockstep with Busboom in the kills department last year and will likely see an uptick in volume this fall. Her development with Nebraska Juniors has been remarkable.   Several other hitters will have a legitimate chance to reach triple-digit kills in 2023, including Avery Martin, Emily Allen, [player_tooltip player_id='253935' first='Sophie' last='Gleason'], and [player_tooltip player_id='516751' first='Brooklyn' last='Schafer']. There's good news in the backcourt, too, as [player_tooltip player_id='172561' first='Addison' last='Hatcliff'] returns for her senior season as the focal point of Beatrice's floor defense.   If roster continuity is your thing, keep an eye on this orange-clad squad.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/643-Kaitlyn-Bodnar-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-447046" width="458" height="305" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bodnar</figcaption></figure>   Omaha Duchesne Academy   Duchesne has made regular appearances on Class B's biggest stage over the years. Perhaps this is where the resurgence starts.   Firstly, we'll concede that it's tough to lose Lily Snodgrass in the frontcourt. This trailblazing scorer put up some of her best efficiency numbers in her final season, and that kind of reliability is hard to replace. Still, the Cardinals have plenty of emerging talent ready for their turn in the spotlight.   [player_tooltip player_id='173523' first='Elizabeth' last='Layson'] is on track to become the new go-to weapon for Duchesne. This outside hitter has been a terminal force for Nebraska Elite and can step into a significant leadership role as an upperclassman. And, speaking of upperclassmen and Nebraska Elite representatives, senior [player_tooltip player_id='187792' first='Emily' last='Love'] has seen her stock soar over the past several months and can be a game-changer in the middle.   The list of club standouts on the Duchense roster keeps expanding. [player_tooltip player_id='342558' first='Ava' last='McCarthy'] demonstrates outstanding confidence in the libero jersey no matter what team she's representing. Hadley McComas will also be the ball control discussion at the setter spot alongside [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar']. This is an impressive foundation.     York   Sure, the Dukes have to replace a lot. Players like Mia Burke, Kelly Erwin, Dannika Lamberty, and Josie Loosvelt don't come around often. But, we're here to look at the positives.   And the return of junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='462535' first='Cynley' last='Wilkinson'] is a huge positive. As a sophomore, Wilkinson paced York with almost four kills per set and hit over 0.200 in the process. This is also the kind of athlete who isn't afraid to take some contact while defending the end line. Keep building around Wilkinson and watch the wins roll in.   The upcoming season will also give us extended looks at more of York's future leaders. Juniors Chloe Kock and Reese Hirschfeld earned some valuable reps last fall, and that should aid in the transition from all those graduates. Several unknowns will also exist before we see York in action, but that's what makes coverage so exciting.

Your turn, Class B!