Eyes on Opening Day: Nebraska’s Must-See Thursday Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive into the schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our high school season previews are rolling along, but we're inching ever closer to the start of all the action. Thursday's matchups usher in the new year for many of Nebraska's top teams, and we have a list of contests we'll be watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've decided to let you know which battles are on our radar. Opening day is almost here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Waverly @ Lincoln Lutheran</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a classic Day 1 bout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Lutheran and Waverly are preparing for a Thursday square-up that produced a five-set thriller a year ago. The Warriors get hosting rights and intend to win a fourth consecutive state championship this fall. Ball control gems like [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342613' first='Jillian' last='Donovan'] headline this group, but look out for dynamic swings from [player_tooltip player_id='349457' first='Bella' last='Sjuts'], [player_tooltip player_id='275943' first='Lily' last='Wohlgemuth'], and so many others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class B visitors will not be daunted and hope to avenge that 2023 defeat. [player_tooltip player_id='458124' first='Gracie' last='Lauenstein'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458123' first='Hallie' last='Lauenstein'] should do a little of everything on the pins. That effort will be accompanied by strong upperclassmen, led by [player_tooltip player_id='497417' first='Aubrie' last='Lierman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342617' first='Renae' last='Landon'] in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A repeat run to the tournament starts here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Howells-Dodge @ Oakland-Craig</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is this the start of another postseason push for two successful small-town programs?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland-Craig has enjoyed unprecedented success over the past few years. The Knights hoisted their first championship trophy in 2021 and have reached every state tournament since then. Senior standouts like setter [player_tooltip player_id='173535' first='Adi' last='Rennerfeldt'] and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173516' first='Brandi' last='Helzer'] have been with the team through it all. Up-and-coming pin attacker [player_tooltip player_id='464903' first='Briar' last='Ray'] adds to O-C's firepower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howells-Dodge joins Oakland-Craig on the list of recent state champions. 2022 was a special year for the Jaguars that ended in Class D2 triumph. Many impactful seniors departed from that squad, and Howells-Dodge came up short of the 2023 bracket. This year might offer a comeback bid through seasoned athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='578477' first='Ava' last='Noyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269954' first='Jade' last='Bayer']. Day 1 will be an instant test of the team's resolve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1720258680099135895","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1720258680099135895 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Omaha Westside @ Millard West</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an important early test for two Class A contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Westside has some serious postseason pedigree on its side. The Warriors have appeared in three consecutive state semifinals, including the team's trip to the 2022 championship match. This year is shaping up to bring more of the same with senior stars like [player_tooltip player_id='155047' first='Ashlyn' last='Paymal'], [player_tooltip player_id='173525' first='Sky' last='Miller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='155049' first='Peyton' last='Meyer'] leading the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Class A also has plenty of stiff resistance to any title aspirations. Millard West surely has postseason plans in 2024 after missing out on last year's tournament. The Wildcats reload with returning weapons like [player_tooltip player_id='288606' first='Halle' last='Kerkman'] and the ever-steady presence of [player_tooltip player_id='155037' first='Sierra' last='Pokharel'] at libero. We're also looking forward to seeing how setter [player_tooltip player_id='458126' first='Ava' last='Waters'] meshes with her new team. This is an impactful underclassman addition who can make a major difference in Millard West's 2024 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts Thursday in this outer Omaha clash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Omaha Duchesne Academy @ Gretna East</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha is back in our crosshairs for this one, but we're shifting to Class B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not far removed from Omaha Duchesne Academy being a regular contender in the Class B tournament. The Cardinals are building a roster to get back in that fight, too. Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='278995' first='Kaitlyn' last='Bodnar'] leads the initiative at setter, and Queens (NC)-bound outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173523' first='Elizabeth' last='Layson'] will remain a high-volume scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duchesne's first test comes on the road against Gretna East. The Griffins reached the tournament in their inaugural volleyball season, so the bar is set high for Year 2. Luckily, Gretna East boasts a massive group of seniors who will all contribute to the team's 2024 efforts. [player_tooltip player_id='230003' first='Nyah' last='Potthoff'] is a game-changing leader at the setter spot, allowing hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='189352' first='Hailey' last='Levinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='516713' first='Ashlynn' last='Cole'] to find their groove. The entire veteran group needs to be locked in to face another tough Class B schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1719754211007623649","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1719754211007623649 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Nebraska Christian @ Shelton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're wrapping up with a D1-D2 duel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Christian's string of consecutive tournament appearances ended in 2023, but that shouldn't put a damper on this year's plans. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='275965' first='Taytum' last='Perdew'] is back and could play various roles for the Eagles. Keep an eye on this dynamic setter-hitter, who will compete alongside fellow hard-hitting junior [player_tooltip player_id='275966' first='Sheridan' last='Falk'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles travel for a Thursday contest with Shelton, which we recently tabbed as our preseason No. 1 in Class D2. The Bulldogs operate through junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'], who plays alongside Perdew during the club season. Branson is one of the state's most prolific scorers, but she's not alone in that effort. [player_tooltip player_id='275970' first='Erin' last='Gegg'] is an incredible force in the middle when attacking in front of [player_tooltip player_id='464915' first='Macy' last='Willis'], who runs a dynamic offense. It's a stacked lineup that can find wins outside of its D2 designation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->