Mid-September Check-in with Nebraska's Undefeated Teams (Part 2)

More unblemished records emerged.   Yesterday, we examined teams in <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/09/mid-september-check-in-with-nebraskas-undefeated-teams-part-1/">Class A, B, and C1</a> that have entered the mid-September grind unscathed. We're now applying the same theme to Class C2, D1, and D2, where plenty of other squads enter the picture.   Let's celebrate a little more early perfection.     Class C2   We have a high-profile trio in Class C2.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/IMG_9420.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-642395" style="width:452px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Humphrey-Lindsay battles Oakland-Craig in the 2023 NSAA State Volleyball Championships.</figcaption></figure>   Two of C2's three undefeated teams were participants in last year's state tournament. Humphrey-Lindsay has rolled to a 9-0 start after claiming the No. 6 seed a year ago. The community has had a tumultuous offseason following the dissolution of Humphrey St. Francis, but the Bulldogs are carrying the banner well on the volleyball court.   The Korth tandem is a good reason for optimism in 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='173538' first='Claire' last='Korth'] is putting down 3.2 kills per set for Humphrey-Lindsay, and Faith Korth follows that example with 2.6 terminations per set. Faith is also leading the team with 155 total assists and about half an ace per set. The Bulldogs are also getting tremendous balance with [player_tooltip player_id='495080' first='Alexis' last='Groteluschen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='498981' first='Aydan' last='Hake'] leading the charge from the middle.   Yutan was last year's No. 4 seed and is 10-0 so far in 2024. The Chieftans boast a formidable scoring force with junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota'] taking the initiative. The high-flying attacker dazzled us during the 2023 tournament, so her fast start is no surprise. Yutan's senior class is stacked with seasoned veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='495055' first='Gabi' last='Tederman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='512044' first='Mckenna' last='Jones'], both of whom played major roles in the 2023 effort. Jones was also a recent standout at our summer Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase in La Vista.   Perhaps Thayer Central is the "surprise team" of the group. Of course, the Knights were on the cusp of a tournament breakthrough during last year's regional round. That experience has sharpened Thayer Central for this early-season grind, and the Brueggemann sisters are back to business, too. [player_tooltip player_id='495097' first='Ella' last='Brueggemann'] has 4.2 kills per set so far, and [player_tooltip player_id='529184' first='Emma' last='Brueggemann'] is nearly matching that output with 3.9. The Knights can adapt to various starting lineups, including ones where Ella shares the setting duties. Elsewhere around the dial, sophomores Taylor Tietjen and [player_tooltip player_id='458148' first='Olivia' last='Wiedel'] have been indispensable contributors in the ball-control phase.     Class D1   We're down to two in Class D1.   One of these unblemished contenders started near the top of our preseason rankings. Bartley Southwest is building off a state tournament appearance as the No. 2 seed in 2023. That has laid the foundation for a quick start this year, which has the Roughriders sitting in the top spot of the wildcard hierarchy.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/IMG_9214-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-642399" style="width:445px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bartley Southwest is hoping to for a return trip to the Class D1 tournament.</figcaption></figure>   We immediately gravitate toward the Nelms trio. [player_tooltip player_id='275947' first='Kyra' last='Nelms'] has 3.6 kills per set. The eldest of the sister trio, Atleigh, has 2.9 kills per set on the outside. Annika Nelms completes the family affair with 2.8 kills per frame. Any of the three can take over matches at any time.   Osceola is the wildcard here. The 5-0 Bulldogs bring a ton of experience to the floor in 2024, and it starts in the frontcourt. Senior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='395108' first='Eastyn' last='Kropatsch'] has been a persistent standout with over two kills per set and a wealth of assists. Setter-opposite hybrids like Kropatsch are game-changers.   [player_tooltip player_id='771609' first='Graci' last='Conkling'] has been lighting up the scoreboard with a 0.459 hitting clip. She is accompanied by electric sophomores Alexis Burritt and [player_tooltip player_id='773433' first='Kenzie' last='Bartling'], who are both hitting over 0.200.     Class D2   One remains.   Leyton is the only undefeated team left in Class D2. The Warriors had an exceptional 27-6 campaign last year but failed to make the postseason after a district loss to Stuart. That season was highlighted by a 9-0 start, and Leyton has repeated that feat in 2024.   Most of Leyton's stat leaders are upperclassmen. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='728392' first='Shawnee' last='Gamble'] has 2.6 kills per set, a 0.299 hitting percentage, and the team's third-best dig total. Zaili Benish sets a balanced offense that also gets [player_tooltip player_id='731681' first='Macey' last='Roelle'] and Riley Jones involved in the frontcourt. Time to make amends for last year's near-triumph.

More unblemished records emerged.