Nebraska’s Must-See Mid-Week Matchups: Week 6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another stacked slate is on deck.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back for a mid-week matchup feature, and this is bound to be a good one. October is quickly approaching, and opportunities to shuffle the wildcard standings are dwindling. Let's see which teams can wrap up September on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are my picks for Week 6 one-off matchups to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Island Central Catholic</strong> vs. <strong>Kearney Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Class C1 staple. Two powerhouse programs. This is clearly a Tuesday bout worth watching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking down the defending Class C1 champs at home won't be easy. GICC is humming along with a 15-1 record thanks to contributions from a big group of veterans. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='104674' first='Carolyn' last='Maser'] is dishing out an efficient offense that features fellow seniors Hadlee Hasselmann and Maddie Schneider. Junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='462399' first='Maggie' last='Herbek'] is also having a breakout year as the Crusaders are collectively hitting for nearly a 0.300 clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Kearney Catholic is used to these big matches against championship-caliber opponents. Upperclassmen are still the theme with the Stars, but it's mostly skewed toward the junior class. That's where we find high-flying attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='393536' first='Margaret' last='Haarberg'], [player_tooltip player_id='172601' first='Aibrey' last='Mandernach'], and [player_tooltip player_id='256642' first='Londyn' last='Carnes']. This all-star cast will need to be lights-out to take on GICC in a massive Tuesday tilt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Archbishop Bergan</strong> vs. <strong>Clarkson/Leigh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Class C2 clash features a couple of heavy hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archbishop Bergan and Clarkson/Leigh both have clear championship ambitions in 2023. This isn't the first year they've been in the hunt, either. These two perennial postseason powerhouses are on track to make it back to Lincoln, and Tuesday's meeting will be an important barometer for both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights boast one of the most prolific scorers in the state in senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='152901' first='Paige' last='Frickenstein']. The Midland commit is putting down four kills per set and will not waver regardless of which team is across the net. She's also backed up by emerging freshmen like [player_tooltip player_id='458128' first='Peyton' last='Langhorst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458143' first='Tessa' last='Powers']. This young duo will help form the foundation of Bergan's title pursuits for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, there's a big task facing Bergan with a match against undefeated Clarkson/Leigh on the horizon. The Patriots have continued to lean on senior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='122806' first='Chloe' last='Hanel'], who is cranking out awe-inspiring numbers yet again. Her 4.8 kills per set on a 0.469 clip is simply unparalleled. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='269955' first='Izzy' last='Hollatz'] has also shouldered a dual role as a setter and an opposite for Clarkson/Leigh. Archbishop Bergan will offer stiff resistance, but the Patriots seem ready for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":461747,"width":526,"height":350,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/09/IMG_8467-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-461747" style="width:526px;height:350px" width="526" height="350" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bellevue West competes at the 2023 LPS Invite.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard North</strong> vs. <strong>Bellevue West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on this under-the-radar Class A contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've brought both of these squads under the microscope during recent tournament visits, and now they're set to face off in a mid-week contest. What an occasion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are fresh off a solid showing at the Lincoln Pius X Invitational, where we were able to watch a Millard North team find its stride against great competition. [player_tooltip player_id='173518' first='Rilyn' last='Gish'] is an effective pin hitter for this squad, and [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett'] has become the go-to in the middle. It's also a team with solid ball control with [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173528' first='Brylee' last='Nelsen'] leading the way at libero and setter, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellevue West has broken out this year and is well-positioned in the Class A wildcard standings. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='122824' first='Kayla' last='Eggiman'] has led the offense during this resurgence, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='189353' first='Tessa' last='Reitsma'] hasn't been far behind. We'll also give a large share of the credit to junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='269958' first='Madison' last='Emery'], whose numbers have been among the best in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key positioning is on the line in an Omaha-area showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overton</strong> vs. <strong>Southwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's combine the best of Class D1 and D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small-town volleyball royalty is set to face off as Overton takes on Bartley Southwest. Overton enters the week with a 17-1 record and the #1 spot in the Class D2 wildcard standings. Southwest, meanwhile, is situated second in the D1 hierarchy with a 15-1 mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No one is surprised to see Overton atop the D2 pack this year. The Eagles brought back almost everyone from last year's runner-up effort, and the team is meshing better than ever. [player_tooltip player_id='105006' first='JoLee' last='Ryan']'s dominance needs no introduction, and fellow middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='172559' first='Natalie' last='Wood'] has been just as effective on the other side of the dial. [player_tooltip player_id='105005' first='Ashlyn' last='Florell'] ties the whole operation together at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwest is backing up its own lofty expectations in Class D1. This team is defined by the “Nelms triple threat”: Kyra, Atleigh, and Annika Nelms are the three leading terminators for the Roughriders. [player_tooltip player_id='104990' first='Bryn' last='Lampe'] has been one of Nebraska's most productive setters and finds a way to get all of Southwest's attackers involved. This is a balanced group that should challenge the unbeaten Patriots in an exciting Thursday showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elkhorn North</strong> vs. <strong>Bennington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class B has given us so much this season. Let's add another thrilling chapter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkhorn North and Bennington are steaming ahead toward a repeat postseason appearance. Before we get there, though, they'll be pitted against one another in what should be a barnburner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's Class B runner-up has been just as impressive in 2023 despite some impactful graduations. Star setter [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'] is playing her best volleyball in the final year of her prep career. She has an innate connection with pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='155043' first='Shay' last='Heaney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152906' first='Ava' last='Spies'], both of whom can take over matches at any time. And, speaking of taking over matches, freshman middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'] showed jaw-dropping dominance during Elkhorn North's stint at the Lincoln Pius X Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the net, Bennington is having one of its best seasons ever. A fascinating medley of youth and experience has thrust the Badgers into the spotlight as a surefire Class B competitor. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='109590' first='Olivia' last='Mauch'] is as sharp as ever in her final prep season before representing the Cornhuskers next fall. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'] has now joined the fray at setter alongside standout senior [player_tooltip player_id='179361' first='Madelyn' last='Uhlir']. Bennington's leading scorers are a couple of sophomores with [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='187703' first='Evynn' last='Olsen'] taking the lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to remember such a stacked year in Class B. Thursday's meeting between Elkhorn North and Bennington will be another exhibition of that strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->