Perfect August: Nebraska’s Under-the-Radar Undefeated Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we turn the calendar to September, we still have several unbeaten squads left in the Nebraska prep scene. Let's break down a few of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All classes are in play as we search for programs that have preserved their zero in the loss column. Unsurprisingly, these teams have a wealth of talent on their rosters. We'll address some of those leaders, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here are a few of Nebraska's undefeated competitors after the first several days of the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln North Star</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Star has started the year off right with three wins against intra-class foes: Kearney, Lincoln High, and Fremont. The road doesn't get any easier with the Millard West Invite on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":455099,"width":593,"height":395,"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_9949.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-455099" style="width:593px;height:395px" width="593" height="395" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lincoln North Star competes at the 2022 Millard West Invite.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Ali Jacobs has led the charge on the outside with five kills per set in early action. Fellow veteran [player_tooltip player_id='109589' first='Macy' last='Roth'] has been right there with her in the kill column. A combination of youth and experience has defined the setter spot with senior [player_tooltip player_id='109588' first='Abby' last='Lottman'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458146' first='Alex' last='Kroll'] both playing critical roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scottsbluff</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like North Star, Scottsbluff joins this conversation with a 3-0 record. The Bearcats triumphed over Lexington, Chadron, and Alliance with matches in Wyoming coming up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior are setting the pace for Scottsbluff. That includes the team's three leading terminators: [player_tooltip player_id='253914' first='Ella' last='Foote'], [player_tooltip player_id='492308' first='Paige' last='Horne'], and MaCee Neu. Allie Darnell pulls it all together at the setter spot, and she's yet another senior for the count.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gering</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs are 2-0. It's not a huge sample size, but Gering just got on the board with a Thursday win over Bridgeport to bring some positive momentum into September.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='498993' first='Jaxie' last='John'] has immediately landed on our radar after scoring at will in Gering's season opener. [player_tooltip player_id='256657' first='Alex' last='Gonzalez-Orozco'] also remains a digging machine in the backcourt and is poised for a productive senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Battle Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 7-0 record will inevitably turn some heads. Perhaps even more impressive is Battle Creek's recent tournament victory over Fremont in a three-set battle. That's a statement win, and it was accompanied by two more Class A triumphs over Omaha Central and Omaha Northwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A balanced effort has led to this extraordinary start for the Braves. [player_tooltip player_id='104968' first='Addi' last='Taake'] has put together a terminal run to begin her senior year. Sami Wemhoff and Sophie Humphrey are not far behind with 27 kills apiece. On the defensive end, look for [player_tooltip player_id='464935' first='Jaidyn' last='Smutney'] to keep up her superior command of the libero spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Platteview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platteview is no stranger to fast starts, so it's no surprise to see the Trojans thriving en route to a 3-0 mark. A district win over Ralston in the season opener is perhaps Platteview's most significant early result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Familiar names are all over the Trojan roster. [player_tooltip player_id='122815' first='Lexi' last='Hans'] is a dynamic senior outside hitter who took a big step forward during the club season. [player_tooltip player_id='187696' first='Ainsley' last='Vanosdall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'] are two more savvy veterans having a great early stretch in 2023. Also, keep an eye on sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'] after her own breakout club tenure with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pierce</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It might be tough to qualify Pierce as an "under-the-radar" team after last year's tournament appearance, but the Bluejays deserve some credit for another solid opening. Pierce has toppled excellent teams by taking down Stanton, North Bend Central, and Norfolk Catholic. That's surely a slate worthy of mention here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='498907' first='Nora' last='Herian'] has been a game-changer for the Bluejays with over four kills per set during the winning streak. We're also looking out for veteran terminators like [player_tooltip player_id='152902' first='Jaya' last='Wachholtz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269907' first='Claudia' last='Riggert'], both of whom are regularly atop Nebraska's statistical leaderboards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thayer Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thayer Central contended for a postseason spot last fall, so this year's fast start is an encouraging sign. The Titans have notched four wins by taking down Superior, Aurora, Ord, and Tri County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad's two-headed killing monster features Jadyn Bowman and [player_tooltip player_id='495097' first='Ella' last='Brueggemann']. Both are upperclassmen who are accustomed to playing at a high level. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='529184' first='Emma' last='Brueggemann'], either, completing another duo of the twin variety. Ella also helps out with setting duties alongside freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458148' first='Olivia' last='Wiedel'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paxton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paxton has raced to a 4-0 mark while not dropping a single set in the process. That constitutes four sweeps over Maywood/Hayes Center, Sandhills Valley, Sutherland, and Garden County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An experienced trio is leading the Tigers in scoring. Senior outside hitter Jacelyn Jorgensen has been terminating at will alongside fellow 2024 prospect Audrey Holm, who is hitting well above 0.300. Junior Emmalee Nicholson has also been making a splash in the frontcourt, allowing Paxton to achieve a lethal balance that will keep the Tigers in the postseason discussion throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->