Surging Sophomores from the 2023 NSAA State Championships (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday was all about the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/11/emerging-freshmen-from-the-2023-nsaa-state-championships/">freshmen</a>. Time to bring a few sophomores into the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NSAA State Championships is the perfect venue to find the next wave of stock risers, especially among Nebraska's underclassmen. The Class of 2026 is still a work in progress on our site, and we have a lot of additions and movements to consider after this year's tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we're offering up a few names who will be under this consideration. With so many choices, we're breaking it up into two parts. <strong>Today's feature covers the first three classes to crown champions this year: Class C2, D1, and D2.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='497394' first='Mylee' last='Tichota']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Yutan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tichota was an instant game-changer in the Yutan lineup. Not many hitters in the Class C2 bracket terminated with the kind of heat and range that Tichota brought from the left pin. Her fluid, explosive approach made it easy to forget that Tichota still has two more prep seasons to develop her talents further. The Chieftans might have found their new kills leader for next season after Tichota put up well over 200 in this fall's regular season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='497400' first='Brooke' last='Goudie']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Elmwood-Murdock","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Elmwood-Murdock pin hitters are usually asked to do a little of everything, and that's exactly what we saw from Goudie at the state tournament. Her 200+ kills this season were accompanied by a wealth of first contacts and a hefty ace total from behind the line. The well-oiled Elmwood-Murdock defensive machine did not skip a beat with Goudie in the back row, so expect this sophomore to keep producing as an upperclassman.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='497397' first='Jaisie' last='Janssen']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Crofton","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It didn't take long to figure out Crofton's offensive game plan at the state championships: run the middle. This is where Janssen thrived for the Warriors this year, whether it was in front of the setter or behind. She received plenty of attacking volume and was also a defensive anchor with over 60 blocks in her second high school campaign. That influential role lifted Crofton to its first trip to Lincoln since 2016.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["464730"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Oakland-Craig's #2 attacker was not far behind #1. Ray soared past 300 kills this fall and even led the team in digs from the outside hitter spot. Her ace total (61) was among Class C2's best. A couple of years ago, Oakland-Craig was considered a Cinderella program with limited experience in the postseason. Now, the Knights are a perennial frontrunner with stars like Ray coming through the pipeline every season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Julianne Ridder","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Guardian Angels Central Catholic","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"GACC's physical frontcourt wouldn't be complete without its dominant sophomore middle blocker. Ridder gave the Bluejays a constant scoring threat from this position and was a clear go-to whenever GACC got a good pass. We've noted the difficulties of being a young middle blocker with a variety of blocking responsibilities and offensive routes, but Ridder has handled the pressure and passed the test.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["464920"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Burwell's long-awaited tournament triumph came with a sophomore setter steering the offense. Gideon compiled over 700 assists in her sophomore season and helped the Longhorns to their first state volleyball appearance in the 21st century. These transformative moments are a great way to place new athletes on our radar, and Gideon has made herself known after a historic 2023 season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["275948"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"There's Nelms influence all over the Southwest lineup, but we'll highlight Anikka for this one. The Roughriders rely on Nelms to kill the ball in clutch situations, and that trend materialized again in Southwest's quarterfinal match against EPPJ. With Southwest only graduating one senior on the roster, we might see Nelms and her team to make another trek to Lincoln next fall.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["275968"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Sumner-Eddyville-Miller ran a two-setter offense en route to this year's Class D1 title, and Hoos commanded half of that system as a sophomore. Her influential role was not limited to distribution, as she also compiled an impressive volume of digs for the Mustangs. Hoos' ability to keep feeding the hot hand was a major factor in this year's championship glory, and a new challenge awaits in 2024.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["464895"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Willis has garnered prior recognition for taking the reins of Shelton's offense as a sophomore. Her leadership allowed the Bulldogs to replicate their postseason appearance from a year ago, and the path is laid for more success in future seasons. Willis brought a steady, consistent hand to the setter spot that yielded over 700 assists and the team's second-best dig total.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["464919"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"How about another second year setter from the Class D2 field? Wallace hadn't seen the recent tournament success of other teams on this feature, but that didn't stop Sauser from stepping in and engineering a breakthrough. The sophomore setter dished out a balanced Wallace offense that finished with three attackers in triple-digit kill figures. The Wildcats will now have an experience advantage at this crucial position as Sauser steps into upperclassman status.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Kenna' last='Oligmueller']","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"Wynot","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_10_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"We have some incredibly versatile middle blockers on this list. Oligmueller is a strong middle attacker who also takes trips across the back row to help out in serve receive. This unusual role is suddenly becoming more common in the small-town scene with strong athletes like Oligmueller display a wide range of skills. Wynot can harness some considerable momentum from this year's tournament journey and maintain its status as a D2 frontrunner.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"Taylor McIntyre","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"Central Valley","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_11_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Central Valley gets a nod in the Class D2 ranks with McIntyre adding another middle blocker to our list. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about McIntyre's emergence is that she'll be surrounded by many of the same players on next year's Central Valley squad. This gives McIntyre a chance to build on her 2023 numbers, and, most importantly, make another trip to Lincoln with the Cougars.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655599ad8834a"} /-->