Unfinished Business: Class D1, D2 Teams Ready for Tourney Repeat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time to finish it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've featured teams with unfinished business with features on <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/unfinished-business-class-a-and-b-teams-ready-for-tourney-repeat/">Class A &amp; B</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/unfinished-business-class-c1-c2-teams-ready-for-tourney-repeat/">Class C1 &amp; C2</a>. We're circling the wagons today with some of last year's D1 and D2 participants who look poised to reload and repeat in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Never a dull moment in these two classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class D1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sumner-Eddyville-Miller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 was a breakout year for Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, but we may see the Mustangs embrace a frontrunner mentality this time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's because a strong core group returns from last year's squad as S-E-M looks for another Lincoln trip. It's hard not to start the conversation with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='109591' first='Mikah' last='O'Neill'], whose unique role as a six-rotation middle blocker makes her a can't-miss athlete in the small-town scene. O'Neill will lead the Mustangs for one final time this fall, and we're expecting plenty of excitement along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It also helps that O'Neill has so many familiar faces on her side of the net. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] made a splash in her freshman campaign and is riding a wave of momentum from the club season. We'll also see seniors [player_tooltip player_id='492405' first='Cayleigh' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492382' first='Jenna' last='Claflin'] maintain their valuable scoring presence in the S-E-M frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588273799056719875?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588273799056719875?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are persistent, aren't they?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it's been in Class D1 or D2, Nebraska Christian has been a regular sight in the postseason over the past few seasons. We're waiting for that one breakthrough into the championship match, and it could finally come together this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The savvy setting of senior [player_tooltip player_id='152907' first='Ali' last='Bruning'] remains the focal point of the Eagles' lineup. She can be aggressive at the net and frequently opens up split-block opportunities for her teammates. That has allowed fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='256643' first='Hope' last='Seip'] and Amanda Needham to shine within the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing Reghan Flynn on the outside will be a tough task, but Nebraska Christian boasts some impactful 2026s who are ready for the limelight. [player_tooltip player_id='275965' first='Taytum' last='Perdew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275966' first='Sheridan' last='Falk'] racked up impressive stats as freshmen and are poised to carry that right into the coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588231455255191552?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588231455255191552?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meridian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Mustang mascot is on the board!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Meridian Mustangs charged into the 2022 postseason with a 27-4 overall record. A tough quarterfinal fight prevented the team from advancing, but redemption is surely in play this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='393556' first='Jaala' last='Stewart'] is a major headliner for the Mustangs, and her quick arm will be a catalyst for more success in Stewart's final prep season. Several other Meridian standouts occupy the 2025 class, including [player_tooltip player_id='728384' first='Jaylee' last='Sobotka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='462351' first='McKenzie' last='Hofstetter']. The aforementioned duo eclipsed 100 kills each in 2022 and could see even more volume this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588274655454171136?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588274655454171136?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class D2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This choice could not be more obvious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overton came within one set of D2 glory last season. It might have been a tough loss to take, but the silver lining is pretty good: the gang's all here in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The whole Eagles crew is back. [player_tooltip player_id='105006' first='JoLee' last='Ryan'] is due for more eye-popping numbers as a senior. Her 0.416 season hitting percentage last year was astonishing, but Ryan has been putting up stats like that since her prep career started. Just another day in the office.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172559' first='Natalie' last='Wood'] went step-for-step with Ryan in the total kills department last year. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='275971' first='Daisy' last='Ryan'] was lethal, too. [player_tooltip player_id='105005' first='Ashlyn' last='Florell'] will distribute at the setter spot with [player_tooltip player_id='492387' first='Gracyn' last='Luther'] and Adysen McCarter retaining their vital all-around roles. It's a perfect reprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588173485498667010?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588173485498667010?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Mary's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals have a few experienced terminators of their own. Look out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's snagged the #7 seed in last year's D2 tournament and gave Overton a good fight before falling in the quarterfinals. Perhaps the Cardinals are due for a step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Attention will immediately be paid to the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='256644' first='Mya' last='Hedstrom'] and Lorissa Reiman. These two attackers combined for a massive portion of St. Mary's kills last year, and it's scary to think they could both elevate their game as seniors. That's reason enough for optimism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='256652' first='Alissa' last='Brabec'] is another talented senior whose smooth setting is the perfect complement to Hedstrom and Reiman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588184710693326848?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1588184710693326848?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stuart</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about last year's #8 seed?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuart may seem like an underdog pick for these features, but some solid production is back to pace the Broncos. [player_tooltip player_id='492367' first='Lacey' last='Paxton'] was a phenomenal leader last fall and brings a heavy arm to the outside. It also seems that junior Addie Ketteler is ready to take another step forward and set the offense full-time. Also, keep note of [player_tooltip player_id='495090' first='Reagan' last='Stracke']'s growing responsibilities along the net as Stuart seeks another trek to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1456308764626280457?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1456308764626280457?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->