Nebraska’s Must-See Mid-Week Matchups: Week 6
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Another stacked slate is on deck. 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…
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Continue ReadingAnother stacked slate is on deck.
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.
Here are my picks for Week 6 one-off matchups to follow.
Grand Island Central Catholic vs. Kearney Catholic
A Class C1 staple. Two powerhouse programs. This is clearly a Tuesday bout worth watching.
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 Carolyn Maser Carolyn Maser 6'1" | S Grand Island Central Catholic | 2024 State NE is dishing out an efficient offense that features fellow seniors Hadlee Hasselmann and Maddie Schneider. Junior outside hitter Maggie Herbek is also having a breakout year as the Crusaders are collectively hitting for nearly a 0.300 clip.
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 Margaret Haarberg Margaret Haarberg 5'9" | OH Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE , Aibrey Mandernach Aibrey Mandernach 6'0" | MB Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE , and Londyn Carnes Londyn Carnes 6'3" | MB Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE . This all-star cast will need to be lights-out to take on GICC in a massive Tuesday tilt.
Archbishop Bergan vs. Clarkson/Leigh
This Class C2 clash features a couple of heavy hitters.
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.
The Knights boast one of the most prolific scorers in the state in senior outside hitter Paige Frickenstein Paige Frickenstein 6'1" | OH Archbishop Bergan | 2024 State NE . 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 Peyton Langhorst Peyton Langhorst 5'10" | MB Archbishop Bergan | 2027 NE and Tessa Powers Tessa Powers 5'6" | S Archbishop Bergan | 2027 NE . This young duo will help form the foundation of Bergan’s title pursuits for years to come.
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 Chloe Hanel Chloe Hanel 5'11" | MB Clarkson/Leigh | 2024 State NE , who is cranking out awe-inspiring numbers yet again. Her 4.8 kills per set on a 0.469 clip is simply unparalleled. Junior Izzy Hollatz Izzy Hollatz 5'9" | S Clarkson/Leigh | 2025 State NE 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.
Millard North vs. Bellevue West
Keep an eye on this under-the-radar Class A contest.
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.
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. Rilyn Gish Rilyn Gish 5'10" | MB Millard North | 2025 State NE is an effective pin hitter for this squad, and Makenzie Wingett Makenzie Wingett 6'0" | OH Millard North | 2026 State NE has become the go-to in the middle. It’s also a team with solid ball control with Kenzie Kucks Kenzie Kucks 5'5" | DS/L Millard North | 2025 State NE and Brylee Nelsen Brylee Nelsen 5'9" | S Millard North | 2025 State NE leading the way at libero and setter, respectively.
Bellevue West has broken out this year and is well-positioned in the Class A wildcard standings. Senior outside hitter Kayla Eggiman Kayla Eggiman 5'8" | OH Bellevue West | 2024 State NE has led the offense during this resurgence, and junior Tessa Reitsma Tessa Reitsma 5'8" | OH Bellevue West | 2025 State NE hasn’t been far behind. We’ll also give a large share of the credit to junior setter Madison Emery Madison Emery 5'9" | S Bellevue West | 2025 State NE , whose numbers have been among the best in her class.
Key positioning is on the line in an Omaha-area showdown.
Overton vs. Southwest
Let’s combine the best of Class D1 and D2.
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.
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. JoLee Ryan JoLee Ryan 5'9" | OH Overton | 2024 State NE ‘s dominance needs no introduction, and fellow middle blocker Natalie Wood Natalie Wood 5'10" | MB Overton | 2024 State NE has been just as effective on the other side of the dial. Ashlyn Florell Ashlyn Florell 5'5" | S Overton | 2024 State NE ties the whole operation together at the setter spot.
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. Bryn Lampe Bryn Lampe 5'7" | S Southwest | 2024 State NE 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.
Elkhorn North vs. Bennington
Class B has given us so much this season. Let’s add another thrilling chapter.
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.
Last year’s Class B runner-up has been just as impressive in 2023 despite some impactful graduations. Star setter Reese Booth Reese Booth 5'7" | S Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE is playing her best volleyball in the final year of her prep career. She has an innate connection with pin hitters Shay Heaney Shay Heaney 6'2" | OH Elkhorn North | 2025 State NE and Ava Spies Ava Spies 5'9" | OH Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE , both of whom can take over matches at any time. And, speaking of taking over matches, freshman middle blocker Reagan Wallraff Reagan Wallraff 6'0" | MB Elkhorn North | 2027 NE showed jaw-dropping dominance during Elkhorn North’s stint at the Lincoln Pius X Invitational.
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 Olivia Mauch Olivia Mauch 5'7" | DS/L Bennington | 2024 State #49 Nation NE is as sharp as ever in her final prep season before representing the Cornhuskers next fall. Freshman Millie Mauch Millie Mauch 5'8" | S Bennington | 2027 NE has now joined the fray at setter alongside standout senior Madelyn Uhlir Madelyn Uhlir 5'10" | S Bennington | 2024 State NE . Bennington’s leading scorers are a couple of sophomores with Hayden Liebsack Hayden Liebsack 6'1" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE and Evynn Olsen Evynn Olsen 5'8" | OH Bennington | 2026 State NE taking the lead.
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.