Uncommitted 2025s Shine at 2023 NSAA State Championships (Pt. 2)
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We’re not done yet. After publishing our feature on uncommitted 2025s from the state tournament, we realized there are plenty more juniors worth bringing into the spotlight. Like we said, Nebraska’s Class of 2025 is stacked and ready to make…
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Continue ReadingWe’re not done yet.
After publishing our feature on uncommitted 2025s from the state tournament, we realized there are plenty more juniors worth bringing into the spotlight. Like we said, Nebraska’s Class of 2025 is stacked and ready to make an impact at the next level.
So, time to run it back.
Papio South’s 2025 class is small in numbers but not in impact. Solomon represented the juniors this year by leading the charge at the setter position. We documented her momentous 2023 club season that culminated in a GJNC appearance, and now she’s added another postseason bid to her prep resume. The mixture of physicality and finesse that Solomon brings is suitable for a lot of rosters at the next level. 2024 will bring more opportunities to prove it.
We want to bend the rules a bit and recognize Meyer, who had her season cut short due to injury before Omaha Westside’s trip to the tournament. This athletic, dynamic setter was a big reason why the Warriors returned to the postseason in the first place. Meyer is the kind of setter who’s not afraid to take risks and will fool opposing middle blockers with her effective jump setting. We’ll be anxiously awaiting Meyer’s return to the court, as the state’s 2025 class is not the same without her.
Highlights
Bellevue West’s semifinal charge was anchored by juniors who stepped up and found a new gear in 2023. Emery is one of those players, and she guided the Thunderbird offense to some high-efficiency matches when the team needed it most. This junior setter mastered her pin-to-pin distribution from anywhere on the court, opening up seams for Bellevue West’s attackers throughout the year. Emery’s intangible leadership qualities also came to the forefront, and the same storyline will likely prevail in her senior year.
Whether you need an outside hitter or a defensive specialist, Rademacher is an ideal fit for both. We’ve seen her excel in both roles, from her middle-back dominance with Nebraska ONE to a frontcourt attacking role in her 2023 debut with Norris. Of course, Rademacher’s presence in the front row means she’s also available to pass a chunk of the court in serve receive and take burdens off her teammates. Regardless of her on-court role, this versatile junior is heading for another big-time calendar year in 2024.
More setters for the list. Rennerfeldt’s prep pedigree speaks for itself: three years, three postseason appearances, and one historic state title as a freshman. You can look at box scores and see Rennerfeldt leading almost all of her peers in assists. But, beyond that, this seasoned leader is the kind of teammate you want on your side. Oakland-Craig always feeds off of Rennerfeldt’s confidence and finds a way to pull through on Nebraska’s biggest stages.
Bohling had a strong year with Nebraska Juniors on the club side, so it’s only fitting that the run continued at Bruning-Davenport/Shickley. She finished second on the team with over 250 kills and was equally active in shouldering BDS’s first contacts. Few attackers in Class D1 boasted Bohling’s fluidity and high contact point, making her an indispensable asset on this year’s team. It’s all coming together for another state tournament run next year, too.
Elgin Public/Pope John’s head-spinning defensive totals would not have been possible without Furstenau spearheading the effort in the libero jersey. She surpassed 500 total digs in her junior season as the Wolfpack clawed their way to the Class D1 semifinals from the #7 seed. We knew Furstenau had been dominating the stat sheet this year, but seeing her skillful defense in person affirmed where those big numbers were coming from.
Johnson gets another nod for our post-tournament features, as it’s hard not to notice what the Cambridge middle blocker accomplished this year. In a postseason field that was filled with hard-hitting middles, Johnson stood out with her incredible range on a variety of tempos. She soared past 300 kills on the season–an incredible mark for a front-row athlete. It’s scary to think that number could go higher next fall.
If you’re looking for a player who’s primed to crank out a few triple-doubles per year, Ketteler is a great option. The Stuart junior did a lot more than just dish the ball for a high-powered Bronco offense. Ketteler also racked up triple-digit kills by establishing herself as a hitting threat every time she rotated into the frontcourt. Opposing teams had a tough time dealing with everything Ketteler brought to the Stuart lineup, and she’ll just be more formidable as a senior.