Nebraska’s Must-See Matchups on Opening Day of 2023 Season
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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…
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Continue ReadingOpening 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. Ali Bruning Ali Bruning 5'8" | S Nebraska Christian | 2024 State NE 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 Hope Seip Hope Seip 5'10" | OH Nebraska Christian | 2024 State NE 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 Jalyn Branson Jalyn Branson 5'8" | OH Shelton | 2026 State NE will be among the most lethal outside hitters in her class despite her youth. She is accompanied by fellow 2026 standout Erin Gegg Erin Gegg 5'11" | MB Shelton | 2026 State NE , who adds valuable physicality in the middle.
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. Kaelin Pribyl Kaelin Pribyl 6'0" | OH Millard West | 2024 State NE is a senior leader to watch on the new-look lineup, and Taya Thaden Taya Thaden 6'1" | MB Millard West | 2026 State NE will be strong in the middle. It’s all backed up by the defensive prowess of Sierra Pokharel Sierra Pokharel 5'4" | DS/L Millard West | 2025 State NE 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. Lainey Bosiljevac Lainey Bosiljevac 6'0" | MB Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE will be an important figure on the right pin while Amelia Kafka Amelia Kafka 6'0" | MB Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE locks down the middle. It isn’t all new faces, however, as setter Isabel Campie Isabel Campie 5'7" | S Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE and libero Melody Mayer Melody Mayer 5'7" | DS/L Omaha Marian | 2025 State NE 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 Adi Rennerfeldt Adi Rennerfeldt 5'7" | S Oakland-Craig | 2025 State NE , 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 Brandi Helzer Brandi Helzer 5'10" | OH Oakland-Craig | 2025 State NE , 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 Natalie Pieper Natalie Pieper 5'6" | OH Howells-Dodge | 2024 State NE ‘s time to become the ringleader. Also, look for junior libero Jade Bayer Jade Bayer 5'4" | DS/L Howells-Dodge | 2025 State NE to show off her brilliant ball control skills during this pivotal matchup.
Norris vs. Wahoo
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 Anna Jelinek Anna Jelinek 5'9" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE 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 Lexi Hasselbalch Lexi Hasselbalch 5'10" | MB Norris | 2025 State NE due for a huge step forward in the middle. Most of all, we’re anxiously anticipating the debut of setter Malorie Boesiger Malorie Boesiger 5'9" | S Norris | 2027 NE , 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 Audrey Waido Audrey Waido 5'8" | S Wahoo | 2025 State NE at setter, who brings a wealth of experience into her junior year. Josie Larson Josie Larson 5'9" | S Wahoo | 2026 NE 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 Shandy Faalii Shandy Faalii 5'7" | OH Lincoln East | 2024 State NE , Megan Waters Megan Waters 5'10" | OH Lincoln East | 2024 State NE , Brynne Topolski Brynne Topolski 5'11" | RS Lincoln East | 2024 State NE on the pins alongside a host of others.
That offense will have to keep pace with Grand Island’s Tia Traudt Tia Traudt 6'0" | OH Grand Island | 2025 State NE and Haedyn Hoos Haedyn Hoos 5'9" | OH Grand Island Senior High | 2024 State NE , which collectively form one of Class A’s best pin duos. Jaylen Hansen Jaylen Hansen 5'4" | DS/L Grand Island | 2024 State NE will also lock down the end line and kick off another stat-stuffing campaign at libero.
This is a tough call.