Nebraska 2025 Rankings Update: State Tournament Additions (Pt. 1)
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Just like the 2024s, our updated Nebraska Class of 2025 rankings gained a lot of names from this year’s NSAA State Championships. It’s no secret that the state tournament is an ideal venue to find new names for our rankings.…
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Continue ReadingJust like the 2024s, our updated Nebraska Class of 2025 rankings gained a lot of names from this year’s NSAA State Championships.
It’s no secret that the state tournament is an ideal venue to find new names for our rankings. You have the best prep athletes on the best teams converging in one place–and every class and school size is represented, too.
So, let’s roll out our latest list of postseason participants who joined the rankings. It’s time for the juniors.
We’ve spent a lot of time discussing Seward’s middle blockers lately, but we can’t lose sight of what Limback accomplished at the outside hitter spot. The six-rotation star finished second on the Bluejays’ tally in both kills and digs, as she was a “glue” player you could never take off the floor. Limback generates a ton of forward momentum on her approach and hits a heavy ball that few opposing teams could defend. Moreover, the Bluejays were not afraid to use Limback as an in-system attacking option in the back row, giving blockers even more to think about. Class B stock risers are everywhere.
The Nelms name has become synonymous with Bartley Southwest’s sophomore duo in the middle, but what about the junior outside hitter? Atleigh was active in her six-rotation role as the Roughriders locked up Class D1’s #2 seed after a 29-3 regular season. Nelms had the length and reach to over the top of some blockers, and that’s never an easy ball to defend. This talented pin hitter will look forward to becoming a senior after Southwest only had one such player on the 2023 roster. That’s a good omen for sustained success.
Crofton was at its best when it was able to set its middles, so quality passes and transition digs were paramount to the team’s success. Thankfully, Allen anchored the Warriors in these important areas. This skilled libero was frequently used as a middle-back defender, giving Allen as much court as possible. She thrived in this unconventional role and allowed her teammates to find success, too. 2023 marked Crofton’s first state tournament appearance in seven years, and Allen’s game-changing leadership had a lot to do with it.
Clarkson/Leigh’s runner-up triumph in Class C2 was a true team effort. Settje was one of several Patriots who posted career-best numbers in 2023, and this was an especially important development for Clarkson/Leigh’s outside hitter spot. Whenever blockers started cheating toward the middles, Settje would capitalize with some clutch swings on the pins. We also have to recognize Settje’s team-leading dig total in a Clarkson/Leigh lineup that did not use a libero. Floor defense needed to be a collective effort, and the junior outside hitter took the reins.
Stracke is on pace to be one of Class D2’s leading scorers next year. She already carried a huge load in 2023 with nearly 300 kills and an even larger dig total. Her offense nearly kept pace with fellow Stuart outside hitter Lacey Paxton Lacey Paxton 5’7″ | OH Stuart | 2024 State NE , who graduates after an impactful prep career. Now, it’s Stracke’s turn to become the featured Bronco attacker–alongside the many other contributions she will make.