Halloween Special: “Scary” Underdogs in 2023 State Tourney (Pt 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back for more. Happy Halloween, everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, we explored some spooky underdog picks for the 2023 state tournament in Class A, B, and C1. We're doing the same for the other half of the all-class bracket, and more "frights" are in store for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect drama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class C2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elmwood-Murdock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen this one before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Think back to the 2021 tournament, where Elmwood-Murdock dazzled us as the #7 seed and came within a set of reaching the Class D1 tournament. A lot has changed since then, including the team's move to Class C2, but an underdog breakout is still in play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212050' first='Jordan' last='Vogler'] has been on this stage. She has eclipsed four kills per set in her final season and is delivering as a backcourt defender, too. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497400' first='Brooke' last='Goudie'] are following closely in the offensive categories. Meanwhile, senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='124779' first='Tatum' last='Backemeyer'] is back to compiling some of Nebraska's most eye-popping dig numbers. A medley of contributions from different classes has the Knights as a #5 seed that could give us more November surprises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crofton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors feel like a suitable choice for an underdog feature. Crofton is making its first trip back to Lincoln since its four-year run of tournament bids from 2013-16. Might as well make some waves in your long-awaited return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This #7 seed has a unique offense that funnels much of its production in the '2' gap in the middle of the court. That's where players like Caitlin Guenther, [player_tooltip player_id='495073' first='Lexi' last='Wiebelhaus'], and [player_tooltip player_id='497397' first='Jaisie' last='Janssen'] can do some serious damage. Crofton also rotates two junior setters with Jaida and [player_tooltip player_id='495076' first='Sammie' last='Allen'] both factoring into the backcourt lineup. A major challenge awaits in the quarterfinals as Crofton faces #2 Clarkson/Leigh. But, as we've learned from past tournaments, the 2-7 matchup is never a sure thing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class D1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":473588,"width":"433px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.501466275659824","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_1255.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-473588" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:433px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sumner-Eddyville-Miller competes in the 2022 state volleyball tournament.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amherst</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not Amherst? The Broncos know all about tournament upsets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, Amherst burst into the Class C2 semifinals with a 3-0 sweep over #3 Cross County to open the tournament. We'll see if the Broncos can replicate that underdog magic in a new class, as they've claimed the #5 seed in this year's Class D1 bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='122819' first='Hannah' last='Herrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='122830' first='Saryn' last='Prickett'] are the trendsetters with Amherst. Both have racked up over three kills per set and offer a wide array of other skills besides their terminal arms. Prickett also shoulders a part-time setter role in the starting lineup with senior Grace John helping out on the other side of the rotation. These standout 2024s are looking to go out with another unforgettable tournament run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sumner-Eddyville-Miller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another repeat tournament entrant rounds out our Class D1 discussion. Experience matters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sumner-Eddyville-Miller was last year's #5 seed in the Class D1 tournament. We have vivid memories of their five-set quarterfinal bout with BDS, and the Mustangs fell just short of a semifinal berth. Many of the players on this year's roster remember that contest and will be looking for redemption.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='109591' first='Mikah' last='O'Neill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] are among the state's best. O'Neill has a whopping 5.2 kills per set in her final season, and Arbuthnot claims over three kills per set as a sophomore. These two will get a huge share of the swings in Lincoln. S-E-M runs a two-setter system led by [player_tooltip player_id='495084' first='Katelynn' last='Reiter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275968' first='Jaycelyn' last='Hoos'] in the right-back area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A #6 seed pits S-E-M against St. Mary's in the quarterfinals. It's a contest that should put high-volume scorers on display, and that's where unpredictable results often arise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class D2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stuart</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos are galloping to Lincoln for a third consecutive year, and many of the same veteran athletes have anchored this multi-year run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='492367' first='Lacey' last='Paxton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='495090' first='Reagan' last='Stracke'] are back to producing the big numbers that they're used to. And, while we're praising Stuart's offense, junior setter Addie Ketteler deserves plenty of credit for helping maintain the team's consistent onslaught over multiple seasons. The Class of 2025 is full of gems like Ketteler who always seem to perform best in the brightest lights. That's what Lincoln offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuart embraced the underdog role in 2022 as the #8 seed in Class D2. Circumstances might be more favorable this year with a #6 seed, so look for the Broncos to capitalize as they battle Meridian in the quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shelton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back, Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton is one of those stingy #8 seeds that can give any team trouble, especially on such a big stage. Last year yielded a special postseason run for the Bulldogs, which fell just short of a bid in the championship match after a deuce fifth set against Howells-Dodge. That was from the #4 spot, however, and the 2023 tournament offers a completely different dynamic. It's the underdog role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckily, the Bulldogs boast some rising young stars who can shake up the D2 landscape. Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] is one of Nebraska's most productive scorers regardless of class, putting down nearly five-and-a-half kills per set this year. [player_tooltip player_id='275970' first='Erin' last='Gegg'], another sophomore, is adding 3.4 terminations per set of her own. This pair is assisted by setter [player_tooltip player_id='464915' first='Macy' last='Willis'] to complete a Class of 2026 trio that could pull off an early shocker in Lincoln. Top-seeded Cambridge awaits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->