2023 HS Preview: Players to Watch from 2022 State Champions
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Why don’t we check in with the six teams who won it all last year? Our annual Unfinished Business series examined several teams who appeared in last year’s postseason but came up just short of the top prize. It’s worth…
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Continue ReadingWhy don’t we check in with the six teams who won it all last year?
Our annual Unfinished Business series examined several teams who appeared in last year’s postseason but came up just short of the top prize. It’s worth keeping tabs on the defending champions, of course, as we get our share of repeat title holders in the Cornhusker State.
So, here are a few players to watch this fall from Nebraska’s 2022 state champions.
Papio South has some voids to fill in the frontcourt, and that’s where Livingston can step in and make an impact for the two-time defending Class A champs. Livingston already earned valuable starting experience with the Titans last season, setting the stage for a huge jump in production this fall. Keep an eye on which pin Livingston occupies, too, as she is flexible enough to play on both sides.
Sure, Papio South gradutates some serious talent from last year’s team. But we also can’t overlook the superstar leaders from the Class of 2024. We’ll be looking for Bode to take over at the middle blocker position one more time before she departs for South Dakota at the next level. There’s little doubt that Bode will remain one of the most productive middle blockers in the state–both as an attacker and a shutdown blocker.
Skutt Catholic’s defensive specialist position will be fun to watch. USC commit Paisley Douglas Paisley Douglas 5’5″ | DS/L Omaha Skutt Catholic | 2024 State #123 Nation NE is a gem at libero, but there are chances for several players around her to have huge 2023 campaigns. Ott is certainly one of those, and she can fill the void left by Anna Weberg’s graduation. She has already been an important contributor for this history-rich program and will keep elevating her game.
Now, let’s venture over to the frontcourt. Hagedorn is due for a significant uptick in production with a couple of transformative pin hitters departing for D1 collegiate volleyball. The only mystery is which pin Hagedorn will occupy, as she has vast experience at both positions in club and high school venues.
Maser is one of Nebraska’s most recent 2024 college commitments, and her future at Iowa D1 program Drake is sure to be bright. Before that, however, there’s unfinished business at Grand Island Central Catholic, one of Nebraska’s most persistent volleyball powerhouses. Maser will keep up her dominance as a master distributor who can also harness some well-timed attacks in the frontcourt.
Ball control is still a strength for the Crusaders. While Maser is running the show at setter, Hedman will be a steady force in the libero jersey. Her impact on last season’s championship run cannot be overlooked, and Hedman is building positive momentum after another club season with Nebraska Juniors.
Including Sjuts on this feature was an easy choice given all the roles she could play for Lincoln Lutheran. Setter? Middle blocker? Both? Her unique dual position was a revelation for Nebraska ONE 15 Black this spring, and Sjuts can bring that same wide-ranging impact to the Warrior lineup. There’s a fascinating new wave of talent ready to rise up for Lincoln Lutheran.
Highlights
Even with all that talk of a youth movement at Lincoln Lutheran, we have to give a shoutout to one of the savvy veterans in the lineup. Wohlgemuth appears ready to carry the torch as the team’s leading offensive weapon as a senior. Better yet, Wohlgemuth offers plenty of experience in a six-rotation capacity and was one of the team’s most lethal servers last season.
Speaking of offense leaders, it’s time for Eickhoff to take over for Hartington Cedar Catholic. Of course, Eickhoff has already been a dominant middle blocker for the team but now has more weight on her shoulders with the graduation of outside hitter Laney Kathol. That’s no problem for Eickhoff, though, as the high-flying senior is ready to rise to the occasion.
Let’s bring another Trojan attacker into the mix. Wortmann produced some clutch kills on last year’s team and brings some valuable stability to the position in 2023. She will also step into the passing formation and provide her experienced touch there, generating optimism that Cedar Catholic can retuo the championship stage.
Howells-Dodge still has its share of frontcourt firepower. Pieper will take command along the net following the graduation of all-state outside hitter Grace Baumert. That’s a lot of production to replace, but Pieper’ late-season surge was a major factor in last year’s championship triumph.
Ball control will be a strength for the Jaguars, too. Bayer was an extraordinary asset for Howells-Dodge in last season’s backcourt, and she now returns as an upperclassman defender in the contrasting jersey. A strong backcourt may be the key to helping offset the lost production from the 2022 offense. That’s where Bayer can step in and make her presence felt.