Halloween Special: “Scary” Underdogs in 2023 State Tourney (Pt 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's spooky season. It's state tournament season. Let's embrace a bit of both.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NSAA State Volleyball Tournament has a way of producing upsets and breakout underdogs. We are just a year removed from Hartington Cedar Catholic winning the Class D1 title from the #7 seed. It could happen again, and we're already gearing up for more surprises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, in the spirit of Halloween, we're looking at some “scary” underdog teams who could shake up the status quo at the 2023 tournament. This is Part 1, where we're perusing Class A, B, and C1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't overlook these teams—or you might be in for a shock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Island</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while, Islanders. Let's make it a special trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island is going to the state volleyball tournament for the first time since 2013. The recent dominance of Omaha metro schools has cast extraordinary challenges on Class A programs like Grand Island, but the Islanders have what it takes to finally make some noise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'] is the primary catalyst here. The junior outside hitter is putting down about five kills per set on an equally astonishing 0.380 clip. Grand Island never loses terminal power on the left side with standout senior [player_tooltip player_id='104983' first='Haedyn' last='Hoos'] following closely behind Traudt in the stat sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experienced leadership reigns at other key positions with seniors like [player_tooltip player_id='393554' first='Keira' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='450530' first='Jaylen' last='Hansen'] finding their groove en route to the postseason. This unit has left a big impression in 2023, and it's time for one more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Papillion-La Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How many Halloween superlatives can we use for this one? This #8 seed is scary, sinister, and ready to pounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Papillion-La Vista had an up-and-down year featuring a variety of lineup shuffles and formidable opponents. But, while we were preaching the importance of peaking at the right time, the Monarchs seemingly did just that at the Metro Conference Tournament in mid-October. Papio handed cross-town rival Papio South its first and only loss of the year in the semifinals before sweeping Omaha Westside to win the conference crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That tournament triumph gave Papio some crucial wildcard positioning heading into district competition. Though the Monarchs dropped their district final contest against Lincoln Pius X, they were designated the highest-remaining wildcard team among Class A teams in the district finals. On to the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy'] is putting together an exceptional swan song season. She has amassed 3.7 kills per set to lead the team while only playing across the front row. Tvrdy has a natural connection with longtime teammate [player_tooltip player_id='109586' first='Reagan' last='Hickey'], who has rewritten the record books throughout her career as Papio's setter. [player_tooltip player_id='109602' first='Morgan' last='Glaser'] is another senior who will play a major part in Papio's tournament efforts, while frontcourt hitters [player_tooltip player_id='155055' first='Lilly' last='Pillay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216100' first='Lillian' last='Vitera'] spearhead the junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup for this #8 seed is perhaps the scariest of all. Papio is immediately thrust into a quarterfinal matchup against Papio South in a rematch of that upset Metro win. These bitter rivals met in last year's semifinal round, producing a contest full of drama. We might get a similar show this year--but it will be a round earlier. This will be one of the most highly anticipated 1-8 matchups we've had in a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1717341099235082281?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1717341099235082281?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class B</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretna East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about an underdog run for the new team on the scene?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gretna East has been as good as you could hope for from a team that is embarking on its first-ever season in Class B. Granted, this is a Griffin roster loaded with experienced talent, many of whom competed with Gretna in Class A last year. Dynamic junior attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] have not slowed down despite the change of scenery. [player_tooltip player_id='342514' first='Maddie' last='Schnell'] is also finding her form as an adaptable pin hitter. Also, don't overlook the impact of junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'], another former Dragon who has stepped up in big matches this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth-seeded newcomers will meet Bennington in the quarterfinal round. Gretna East is only a week removed from its last meeting with the Badgers, which ended in a 3-1 Bennington victory in the sub-district semifinals. That familiarity could allow the Griffins to build a new and improved scouting report for the Lincoln rematch. Anything can happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings are back. If you value postseason experience, this is a good underdog team for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly holds the #6 seed in this year's tournament, and it's the sixth consecutive season the Vikings are playing November volleyball in Lincoln. This program has graduated some transformative talent during that period but always finds a way to rediscover its championship form. Consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 squad is led by senior pin attacker [player_tooltip player_id='187686' first='Eden' last='Moore'], who has been a do-everything player throughout her career. She is accompanied by the wicked freshman duo of [player_tooltip player_id='458123' first='Hallie' last='Lauenstein'] and Grace Lauenstein, both of whom have eclipsed two kills per set this year. Ball control is another serious advantage for Waverly with [player_tooltip player_id='187798' first='Caylee' last='Rowley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='187688' first='Joslyn' last='Rice'] anchoring the setter and libero positions, respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly's quarterfinal opponent is a familiar one: Omaha Skutt Catholic. The SkyHawks have eliminated Waverly in the past two state tournaments, including the classic 2021 semifinal that went to a deciding fifth set. Is the third time a charm? Do you believe in omens?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":473162,"width":"450px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4998125234345707","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/IMG_2116-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-473162" style="aspect-ratio:1.4998125234345707;width:450px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GICC competes in the 2022 Class C1 state championship match.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class C1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Island Central Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is certainly a new niche for GICC. Can we ever <em>really</em> call the Crusaders a state championship underdog?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GICC is this year's #7 seed in Class C1, putting it firmly within the strict definition of a tournament underdog. But it's also hard to dismiss GICC's status as one of Nebraska's most history-rich volleyball dynasties, which added a new trophy last fall as the C1 champion. It was the 11th state title all-time for the Crusaders, and they're back for more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran leadership is a huge advantage that the #7 seed can wield once again. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='104674' first='Carolyn' last='Maser'] has guided one of C1's most efficient offenses that has featured plenty of new faces--especially in the second half of the 2023 season. Upperclassman attackers like Maddie Schneider and [player_tooltip player_id='462568' first='Maggie' last='Herbek'] have shouldered ever-expanding roles in the GICC offense. The Crusader frontcourt has needed to evolve and adapt this year, and this duo keeps elevating their play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another senior, [player_tooltip player_id='256658' first='Tristyn' last='Hedman'], will anchor the back row in the libero jersey. It's a core group that knows how to perform under the bright lights, and the "underdog" run starts against second-seeded Minden.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Syracuse</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another #8 seed is getting a nod here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Syracuse is another C1 program with a recent catalog of tournament appearances. The Rockets earned three postseason berths in the four-year span from 2018-21 and are back after missing out last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This lineup is laden with seniors. We'll get to see the incredible pin-hitting duo of [player_tooltip player_id='105009' first='Kadyn' last='Sisco'] and [player_tooltip player_id='105008' first='Delainey' last='Cast'], both of whom average close to four-and-a-half kills per set. Laney Denniston is another fourth-year star who has eclipsed triple-digit kills for the Rockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='492322' first='Rylee' last='Seelhoff'] ties everything together at the setter spot. Yes, she's a senior, too. A walk-off tournament run would be a perfect way to end storied careers for Syracuse's stacked senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->