Nebraska 2024 Rankings Update: State Tournament Additions (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was our last Nebraska Class of 2024 rankings update, but we still took the opportunity to put some new names on our list. It only seemed fitting to lean on the 2023 NSAA State Championships for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament featured a huge list of seniors who wrapped up their prep careers on Nebraska's biggest high school stage. Many of these 2024s made significant gains as seniors, and that progress is worthy of recognition here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's start looking at some of this year's postseason participants who just landed a spot on our Class of 2024 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["492290"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 2023 club season was a huge turning point for Ligon, and the momentum didn't stop with Papillion-La Vista South on the high school side. The Titans built their 2023 identity on stifling blocks and impenetrable defense. That's where Ligon shined as an instinctive middle blocker who knew how to read opposing setters. Then, in transition, Ligon could put down some wicked slides into the crosscourt. She has the full arsenal.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["492293"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Davenport clearly played some of her best prep volleyball as a senior with Papillion-La Vista, which is the perfect launching point to her collegiate career with Nebraska-Kearney. Whenever the Monarchs needed a quick spark, Davenport was usually there to serve some heat and hold down the right-back area in floor defense. This year's upset run to the Class A title match would not have been possible without the u0022littlesu0022 in the ball control phase, and Davenport deserves a lot of credit in this regard.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["492295"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We're staying in Class A for this one. Ferguson's late-season surge was something to behold, and her impact wasn't just measured through stats. This nimble middle blocker was a constant emotional spark for Omaha Westsideu002du002dparticularly through Ferguson's frequent one-on-one stuff blocks. The Warriors were not afraid to mix up their frontcourt personnel this year, and Ferguson made the most of her opportunities in the state tournament.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["492367"],"_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":"We can't forget about one of Class D2's kill leaders. Paxton made Stuart a fixture in the state tournament over the past couple of years, and it was easy to see why. Her fluid approach allows her to contact the ball at the peak of her reach, and few defenses had an answer to Paxton's range. The senior stepped off the prep stage with nearly 400 kills in her final season. Rewrite some of the Bronco record books.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["492332"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Grand Island Central Catholic needed new leaders to arise in 2023, and Schneider took the initiative from the outside hitter spot. She exploded onto the Class C1 scene by leading the Crusaders in kills, and Schneider seemed to find a new gear in GICC's biggest matches. 2024 will mark a new era for this powerhouse program, but we can't forget about players like Schneider who helped lay the foundation for sustained success. Who's the next breakout star at GICC?","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["492328"],"_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":"We keep marveling at Pierce's 2023 postseason run. While we gave plenty of hype to the team's hard-hitting frontcourt hitters, it's important not to forget about Painter's lockdown defense in the back row. The Bluejays got over 400 digs from their senior libero this fall, and Painter added even more value as a primary passer who could ease burdens on her teammates. That's what an influential libero can bring.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["492304"],"_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":"We've harped on the fact that Bellevue West brought a ton of stock risers to the forefront in 2023. Marquez is one of those that deserves recognition, as her consistency on the right pin helped elevate the Thunderbirds to Class A title contention. This veteran right-side hitter was particularly good at working around opposing blockers and was comfortable with whatever tempo she was given. Improvement and adaptability were keys to the Bellevue West resurgence, and Marquez embodies those traits well.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["492373"],"_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":"Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family boasted a balanced attack in 2023, but Brandl was the unquestioned leader when the Bulldogs needed a clutch sideout. Her quickness off the floor was a major catalyst for offensive success on the left pin, and HLHF rode that wave to its first state tournament appearance since 2018. Brandl has now laid the foundation for future Bulldog squads to build a new streak.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["492308"],"_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":"Scottsbluff was this year's panhandle representative in the Class B bracket, and Horne did a lot to help the Bearcats get there. She's a high-flying opposite who was second on the team with over 250 kills and a wealth of defensive contributions. Right-side hitters aren't usually known for their all-around skills, but Horne defied that trend in her impactful swan song campaign with Scottsbluff.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["492374"],"_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":"Our post-tournament coverage heralded Carlson as the emerging senior leader for Bruning-Davenport/Shickley. The numbers back it up, too. This explosive middle blocker racked up over 300 kills in her senior season and was among Class D1's most efficient attackers this fall. It's only fair to reward that extraordinary effort with a spot in our rankings.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["492347"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Yutan's 2023 frontcourt had two big-time contributors from the Tichota family, and Maura made her mark in the senior class. The Chieftans quickly established themselves as a physical, aggressive team at this year's state championships. That identity would not have been possible without Tichota, who helped anchor the middle and led Yutan in total blocks. Yutan expects to be back on the championship stage in 2024, but replacing Tichota's production will be a top priority.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658485da98bef"} /-->