Nebraska’s Must-See Matchups on Opening Day of 2023 Season

Opening day is upon us.   Thursday marks the first day of regular season high school action across Nebraska. That long-awaited day always kicks off the season with some fascinating matchups, and this year is no exception.   We've always put some Day 1 contests on your radar to start the action. Time to do it again.     Nebraska Christian vs. Shelton   We're starting on the small-town scene for this one.   This is a D1-D2 contest that should draw some attention amid the wild flurry that characterizes opening day. Both teams have legitimate title aspirations this year, making this matchup a good early litmus test.   Nebraska Christian is the D1 representative here and enters the 2023 season having made the last three state tournaments. [player_tooltip player_id='152907' first='Ali' last='Bruning'] is still at the helm as the team's star setter, and she has a great group of other veterans to lean on. This includes [player_tooltip player_id='256643' first='Hope' last='Seip'] in the middle, who has been a trendsetter in the Eagles' consistent run.   Shelton has a young team this year as it seeks a return to the D2 postseason. Don't mistake that for a "rebuilding" year, however. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] will be among the most lethal outside hitters in her class despite her youth. She is accompanied by fellow 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='275970' first='Erin' last='Gegg'], who adds valuable physicality in the middle.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/1_Jalyn-Branson-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-255168" style="width:511px;height:340px" width="511" height="340" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Branson</figcaption></figure>     Millard West vs. Omaha Marian   Class A is bringing the heat right away.   Millard West and Omaha Marian are undergoing fascinating roster transitions that will be put to the test right away. The Wildcats have the challenge of replacing outside hitter Alanna Bankston, one of the most productive attackers in the state last year. [player_tooltip player_id='122816' first='Kaelin' last='Pribyl'] is a senior leader to watch on the new-look lineup, and [player_tooltip player_id='275897' first='Taya' last='Thaden'] will be strong in the middle. It's all backed up by the defensive prowess of [player_tooltip player_id='155037' first='Sierra' last='Pokharel'] at libero.   Omaha Marian's big departures from last year include Amanda Loschen and Ashely Wilwerding, the team's two leading scorers. There's a new wave of talent stepping into the spotlight in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='189350' first='Lainey' last='Bosiljevac'] will be an important figure on the right pin while [player_tooltip player_id='342621' first='Amelia' last='Kafka'] locks down the middle. It isn't all new faces, however, as setter [player_tooltip player_id='155046' first='Isabel' last='Campie'] and libero [player_tooltip player_id='155038' first='Melody' last='Mayer'] bolster a lineup that should see ball handling as a strength.     Howells-Dodge vs. Oakland-Craig   These two have been frequent participants on the state championship stage. They're separated by a couple of classes, however, which makes these regular-season meetings extra special.   Oakland-Craig isn't far removed from its 2021 state championship, and some players from that group are still in the spotlight. It all starts with setter [player_tooltip player_id='173535' first='Adi' last='Rennerfeldt'], who has been compiling assists at an astonishing rate since her career began two years ago. Her go-to option on the outside is still [player_tooltip player_id='173516' first='Brandi' last='Helzer'], who will be among Class C2's leading scorers this season.   On the other side of the net, Howells-Dodge has a target on its back after winning last year's Class D2 championship. We now have a matchup of C2 and D2 royalty that could go either way. The Jaguars need new featured scorers after Grace Baumert's graduation, and this feels like [player_tooltip player_id='172603' first='Natalie' last='Pieper']'s time to become the ringleader. Also, look for junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='269954' first='Jade' last='Bayer'] to show off her brilliant ball control skills during this pivotal matchup.     Norris vs. Wahoo   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/11/FgxJtgmWIAI_H_2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-243608" style="width:516px;height:344px" width="516" height="344" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jelinek</figcaption></figure>   Here's another championship-caliber duo that will be facing off on a neutral site. Get ready.   Norris looks focused and determined to dethrone Skutt Catholic in Class B, and it all starts here. We'll likely see junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] seize the leading role in the offense following the graduation of Gracie Kircher. Jelinek's club teammates will be ones to watch for the Titans, too, with [player_tooltip player_id='189321' first='Lexi' last='Hasselbalch'] due for a huge step forward in the middle. Most of all, we're anxiously anticipating the debut of setter [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'], one of Nebraska's most prominent 2027s. Time flies!   Wahoo is hoping for its own championship charge in Class C1. That ascent could be led by players like [player_tooltip player_id='173537' first='Audrey' last='Waido'] at setter, who brings a wealth of experience into her junior year. [player_tooltip player_id='276210' first='Josie' last='Larson'] will also be one to follow as she begins her second season in an all-around outside hitter role.     Lincoln East vs. Grand Island   It's becoming customary for these two squads to start the season with a Day 1 faceoff. Based on the expectations for both teams heading into 2023, this matchup suddenly bears a lot more weight.   Lincoln East is out to prove that last year's state tournament appearance was no fluke. The Spartans broke into the postseason for the first time in fifteen years behind a strong, balanced attack that bring many returning pieces in 2023. One of Class A's most efficient offenses that features [player_tooltip player_id='104986' first='Shandy' last='Faalii'], [player_tooltip player_id='109612' first='Megan' last='Waters'], [player_tooltip player_id='187800' first='Brynne' last='Topolski'] on the pins alongside a host of others.   That offense will have to keep pace with Grand Island's [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='104983' first='Haedyn' last='Hoos'], which collectively form one of Class A's best pin duos. [player_tooltip player_id='450530' first='Jaylen' last='Hansen'] will also lock down the end line and kick off another stat-stuffing campaign at libero.   This is a tough call.

Opening day is upon us.