Unfinished Business: Class D1, D2 Teams Ready for Tourney Repeat
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Time to finish it off. We’ve featured teams with unfinished business with features on Class A & B and Class C1 & C2. We’re circling the wagons today with some of last year’s D1 and D2 participants who look poised…
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Continue ReadingTime to finish it off.
We’ve featured teams with unfinished business with features on Class A & B and Class C1 & C2. 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.
Never a dull moment in these two classes.
Class D1
Sumner-Eddyville-Miller
2022 was a breakout year for Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, but we may see the Mustangs embrace a frontrunner mentality this time around.
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 Mikah O’Neill Mikah O’Neill 5'11" | MB Sumner-Eddyville-Miller | 2024 State NE , 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.
It also helps that O’Neill has so many familiar faces on her side of the net. Rising sophomore Taryn Arbuthnot Taryn Arbuthnot 5'6" | MB Sumner-Eddyville-Miller | 2026 State NE made a splash in her freshman campaign and is riding a wave of momentum from the club season. We’ll also see seniors Cayleigh Jackson Cayleigh Jackson 5'11" | OH Sumner-Eddyville-Miller | 2024 State NE and Jenna Claflin Jenna Claflin 5'11" | RS Sumner-Eddyville-Miller | 2024 State NE maintain their valuable scoring presence in the S-E-M frontcourt.
Nebraska Christian
The Eagles are persistent, aren’t they?
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.
The savvy setting of senior Ali Bruning Ali Bruning 5'8" | S Nebraska Christian | 2024 State NE 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 Hope Seip Hope Seip 5'10" | OH Nebraska Christian | 2024 State NE and Amanda Needham to shine within the offense.
Replacing Reghan Flynn on the outside will be a tough task, but Nebraska Christian boasts some impactful 2026s who are ready for the limelight. Taytum Perdew Taytum Perdew 5'6" | OH Nebraska Christian | 2026 State NE and Sheridan Falk Sheridan Falk 5'9" | MB Nebraska Christian | 2026 NE racked up impressive stats as freshmen and are poised to carry that right into the coming season.
Meridian
Another Mustang mascot is on the board!
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.
Jaala Stewart Jaala Stewart 5'9" | OH Meridian | 2024 State NE 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 Jaylee Sobotka and McKenzie Hofstetter. The aforementioned duo eclipsed 100 kills each in 2022 and could see even more volume this fall.
Class D2
Overton
This choice could not be more obvious.
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.
The whole Eagles crew is back. JoLee Ryan JoLee Ryan 5'9" | OH Overton | 2024 State NE 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.
Natalie Wood Natalie Wood 5'10" | MB Overton | 2024 State NE went step-for-step with Ryan in the total kills department last year. Rising sophomore Daisy Ryan Daisy Ryan 5'9" | OH Overton | 2026 State NE was lethal, too. Ashlyn Florell Ashlyn Florell 5'5" | S Overton | 2024 State NE will distribute at the setter spot with Gracyn Luther Gracyn Luther 5'5" | RS Overton | 2024 State NE and Adysen McCarter retaining their vital all-around roles. It’s a perfect reprise.
St. Mary’s
The Cardinals have a few experienced terminators of their own. Look out.
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.
Attention will immediately be paid to the senior duo of Mya Hedstrom Mya Hedstrom 5'10" | OH St. Mary's | 2024 State NE 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.
Alissa Brabec Alissa Brabec 5'4" | S St. Mary's | 2024 State NE is another talented senior whose smooth setting is the perfect complement to Hedstrom and Reiman.
Stuart
How about last year’s #8 seed?
Stuart may seem like an underdog pick for these features, but some solid production is back to pace the Broncos. Lacey Paxton Lacey Paxton 5'7" | OH Stuart | 2024 State NE 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 Reagan Stracke Reagan Stracke 5'7" | OH Stuart | 2025 State NE ‘s growing responsibilities along the net as Stuart seeks another trek to the state tournament.