Nebraska’s Must-See Mid-Week Matchups (Week 4)
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Mid-September is a critical stretch in the Nebraska high school volleyball season. Every contest matters–especially the marquee matchups we’ll feature below. These mid-season battles are a brilliant venue to see how teams evolve as we inch closer to the postseason.…
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Continue ReadingMid-September is a critical stretch in the Nebraska high school volleyball season. Every contest matters–especially the marquee matchups we’ll feature below.
These mid-season battles are a brilliant venue to see how teams evolve as we inch closer to the postseason. Weekend tournaments are fantastic, but mid-week rivalry matchups have a little extra “juice” that’s hard to describe. These are the results that swing momentum at pivotal times.
So, let’s preview a few of Week 4’s biggest battles before the weekend beckons.
Millard West vs. Millard North
This should be a neighborly Tuesday affair in the Class A ranks.
Millard West has been climbing up the wildcard ladder lately after some recent breakout wins, including last week’s triumph over Papillion-La Vista. Heralded veterans are leading the Wildcats this year, but we’re also watching underclassmen like Stella Neal Stella Neal 5'7" | DS/L Millard West | 2026 NE , Taya Thaden Taya Thaden 6'1" | MB Millard West | 2026 State NE , and Chloe Teter Chloe Teter 5'5" | DS/L Millard West | 2025 State NE become major parts of the Millard West operation. It wouldn’t be possible without them.
On the other side of the net, Millard North is a team that cannot be overlooked. In fact, the Mustangs took down Millard West in a two-set triumph on opening weekend as part of the Bellevue West Invitational. Junior attacker Adelle Fry Adelle Fry 5'8" | MB Millard North | 2025 State NE has compiled extraordinary numbers so far, and she’s followed closely by the sophomore duo of Sydney Rogokos Sydney Rogokos 5'9" | RS Millard North | 2026 State NE and Makenzie Wingett Makenzie Wingett 6'0" | OH Millard North | 2026 State NE . Junior libero and Lipscomb commit Kenzie Kucks Kenzie Kucks 5'5" | DS/L Millard North | 2025 State NE ties everything together on the defensive end.
Norris vs. Waverly
A Class B classic.
It seems like there’s always a bit of drama in store when Norris battles Waverly. The Vikings are hosting Tuesday’s meeting, and it’s bound to be a good one.
The home team enters this showdown with a 7-4 record and a comfortable spot in the wildcard hierarchy. We got a glimpse of Waverly’s high ceiling right away after a five-set gauntlet against Lincoln Lutheran on opening day. The stakes are higher with an intra-class foe coming to town, but the Vikings will be ready. Senior opposite Eden Moore Eden Moore 5'10" | RS Waverly | 2024 State NE is leading the offense on the pin with Grace and Hallie Lauenstein announcing their presence in the freshman class. Caylee Rowley Caylee Rowley 5'9" | S Waverly | 2024 State NE is one of Class B’s most dynamic setters.
But the setter spot is also a strength for Norris with freshman Malorie Boesiger Malorie Boesiger 5'9" | S Norris | 2027 NE immediately taking the reins in her debut season. The freshman’s emergence is no surprise to those who watched Boesiger’s Nebraska ONE team during the club season. Boesiger also has a wealth of worthy options to set in the frontcourt, including club teammates Anna Jelinek Anna Jelinek 5'9" | DS/L Norris | 2025 State NE , Lexi Hasselbalch Lexi Hasselbalch 5'10" | MB Norris | 2025 State NE , and Kendall Cose Kendall Cose 6'0" | RS Norris | 2025 State NE .
Bennington vs. Platteview
Frontrunners from Class B and Class C1 take center stage for this one.
Not many teams have managed to keep up with Bennington this year, though the Badgers just suffered their first loss of the season against the aforementioned Millard West. Still, Bennington boasts a medley of ball control and firepower that few can match. Senior libero Olivia Mauch Olivia Mauch 5'7" | DS/L Bennington | 2024 State #49 Nation NE remains one of the best defenders in the country, and freshman Millie Mauch Millie Mauch 5'8" | S Bennington | 2027 NE has joined the fray at setter alongside Madelyn Uhlir Madelyn Uhlir 5'10" | S Bennington | 2024 State NE . Hayden Liebsack Hayden Liebsack 6'1" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE is terminating at an incredible rate, too.
Platteview is the Class C1 representative in this matchup, and it’s full speed ahead for the 9-2 Trojans. We’ve covered the balanced attacking trio of Lexi Hans Lexi Hans 5'11" | OH Platteview | 2024 State NE , Abree Plueger Abree Plueger 5'10" | RS Platteview | 2025 State NE , and Kate Roseland Kate Roseland 5'10" | MB Platteview | 2024 State NE in a recent feature. Now, this group has a chance to make a colossal statement against one of Nebraska’s best.
Oakland-Craig vs. Wahoo
How about another cross-class matchup? C1 and C2 collide as Wahoo faces Oakland-Craig.
Class C2 has a big logjam of elite teams atop the wildcard standings, and Oakland-Craig is one of those. The Knights are 9-1 and show no signs of slowing down after the program’s 2021 state championship. Perhaps that’s due to the continuity of veterans like setter Adi Rennerfeldt Adi Rennerfeldt 5'7" | S Oakland-Craig | 2025 State NE and outside hitter Brandi Helzer Brandi Helzer 5'10" | OH Oakland-Craig | 2025 State NE . But the emergence of underclassman Briar Ray on the pin is notable, too.
Wahoo, meanwhile, is high on the C1 ladder after a 6-1 start. The steady hand of McKenna Smith McKenna Smith 5'9" | OH Wahoo | 2025 State NE looms large for the Warriors, and Josie Larson Josie Larson 5'9" | S Wahoo | 2026 NE is one of the state’s most productive sophomores. But this matchup also offers an interesting dynamic with junior pin hitter Gretchen Seagren Gretchen Seagren 6'0" | MB Wahoo | 2025 State NE facing off against her former team as a member of Wahoo. The reunion should produce some must-see volleyball.
Cross County vs. High Plains Community
Here’s an under-the-radar matchup to keep on your radar.
Cross County and High Plains Community are vying for vital positioning in Class C2 and D2, respectively. These duels can offer a vital barometer of how both sides are faring in the mid-season grind.
The Cougars are flying high in pursuit of back-to-back postseason bids. We’ve mentioned the strong numbers for Lilly Peterson Lilly Peterson 5'7" | MB Cross County | 2024 NE from the outside, and she is accompanied by more stellar stats from Shyanne Anderson Shyanne Anderson 5'6" | S Cross County | 2024 State NE and Bricelynn Larson. These efficiencies are aided by the presence of Sydney Hengelfelt Sydney Hengelfelt 5'11" | S Cross County | 2026 State NE , one of Nebraska’s smoothest sophomore setters.
Offensive balanced is also a storyline for High Plains Community. The Storm have received reliable contributions from Courtney Carlstrom Courtney Carlstrom 5'9" | RS High Plains Community | 2025 State NE , Rylee Ackerson, and Peyton Hofmann en route to a 5-2 record. This Thursday clash now becomes a crucial “swing match” as both squads hope to gain momentum.