Class D-1 Prep Preview Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch closer to the start of the season we will continue our series on returning standouts from last year's State Tournament in Lincoln. Here is a look at some athletes to keep tabs on in Class D-1 this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Mustangs won Gold last season in 4 sets against Amherst. They were a veteran squad, but the cupboard is not bare by any means. 5'6” Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='495084' first='Katelynn' last='Reiter'] returns to the floor with 843 career assists and 83 ace serves. She has great hands, brings energy and did a fantastic job of distributing the ball across the net. Her counterpart, 5'6” setter [player_tooltip player_id='275968' first='Jaycelyn' last='Hoos'] had 431 set assists, 54 kills and 299 digs. Hoos is not afraid to take a big swing. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] has a heavy arm, super athletic and can pound the ball at will. She can also hit from pretty much anywhere across the net. She is a strong blocker and can win the joust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Runner-Up Amherst Broncos return pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='728380' first='Keelie' last='Hagan']. The senior can pack a punch with her fast wrist snap or a deep floating kill which bounces off defenders. She racked up 141 kills last fall. Look for the Broncos to build their offense around her.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwest has a lot of talent returning starting with all three Nelm girls returning. Outside Kyra returns with a .259&nbsp; hitting percentage. She hammered 308 kills this past fall. She is an athletic lefty who can take over a match. Middle Atleigh also will add to the 1-2 punch as she returns with 253 kills. Annika had 190 and 23 total blocks. Libero Allison Van Pelt returns in the back row for the Roughriders. She has a steady platform and does an excellent job of covering her hitters. She had 365 digs last fall. Look for the Roughriders to make some postseason noise with the core of last year's team returning. They should be hungry after getting knocked out of the quarter finals last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 31-2 St. Mary's Cardinals lost their two top hitters to graduation, but some young talent will return for the Cardinals this fall. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='498983' first='Pyper' last='Ickes'] with 119 kills and 254 digs. Ickes can jump well and hit around or over the block. She also has great body control at the net and makes smart plays on 50/50 balls. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='731651' first='Gracie' last='Williamson'] is a strong returning hitter who hammered 124 kills last fall. She plays middle, but has lots of success on the outside pin as well. Williamson is also a great jumper. Look for the Cardinals to build their offense around these two future stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guardian Angels Central Catholic made a semifinal run last year. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='464900' first='Juli' last='Ridder'] is a smart middle who does a great job of transitioning. She has a knack for finding the open court or tooling off the block. Ridder had 293 kills and 76 blocks last season for the Bluejays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burwell's [player_tooltip player_id='464920' first='Brookelyn' last='Gideon'] is a super athletic setter to keep tabs on. She has a great jump set and a sneaky setter dump. She tallied 729 set assists and chipped in 37 ace serves. [player_tooltip player_id='497359' first='Regan' last='Smith'] returns too with her 43 aces and 208 kills. Add in Kaitlyn Simpson out of the middle as a strong blocker and the Longhorns have a good core to build from for the 2024 campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class D-1 has lots of the perennial powerhouses and some great new talent, so it will be interesting to see who rises to the top in 2024. Keep the small school talent on your radar. Can't wait for the season to kick off!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->