Nemaha Central Improves To 19-1 With Impressive Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second match of the night I scouted in Holton on September 17 was a two-set victory by Nemaha Central over Jefferson West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nemaha Central is a threat to win a state title behind a deep roster peppered with ranked Prep Dig athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on athletes from both squads who posted solid performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465558' first='Cali' last='Honeyman']</strong>, 5'11”, OH, Nemaha Central ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honeyman is ranked No. 44 overall. She is a six-rotation talent and has verbally committed to Highland Community College. She had the best defensive match that I have seen her play. She tallied a match-high 8 kills in the win over Jefferson West. She added six digs, 10 serve receptions, and two aces. She moves well and I swear she looks like she has grown an inch or two, but she is still 5-foot-11. The Scotties are getting a solid player in Honeyman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='659546' first='Hallie' last='Holthaus']</strong>, 5'7”, S, Nemaha Central ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holthaus plans to join Honeyman on the Highland roster after graduation. She entered the night with 386 assists in 38 sets played for the Thunder. She had multiple assists in the win and is a solid defensive player. She communicates with her teammates well and does not panic when the team gets out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515151' first='Zoey' last='Sudbeck']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Nemaha Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sudbeck is currently ranked No. 153 overall and she can jump with the best of them. She collected six kills in the win over the Tigers. As much as I enjoy scouting Six-Footers, I get super excited when I see five-footers jump out of the gym. Sudbeck is also a track and field prospect who throws the shot put and discus. As a former throw coach, I can envision how quickly she moves in a throwing ring. In-state JUCO and NAIA programs should give her a look during the fall and the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446331' first='Ali' last='Jo Henry']</strong>, 5'9”, OH, Nemaha Central, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry is currently ranked No. 46 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She had a stellar first set against Jeff West and a solid match overall. I have seen her on multiple occasions, but can't remember her playing better defense. She finished the match with seven kills, six digs, and 12 serve receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503697' first='Emmie' last='Dean']</strong>, 5'6”, OH/DS, Jefferson West, ‘28 (Pictured Above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean is currently ranked No. 25 overall in the class of 2028. She is a college prospect in the making. I continue to be shocked by how poised so many freshmen in Kansas play. Dean had a big night defensively for the Tigers and is the emotional rock on the squad. Dean had 15 digs, six kills, and 16 serve receptions in the match against Holton. She followed that up with 14 digs and serve receptions in a loss to Nemaha Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446318' first='Harriet' last='Dean']</strong>, 5'7”, S/OH, Jefferson West, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean is currently ranked No. 27 overall in the class of 2027. The older of the Dean sisters is an inch taller than her younger sister and can be used anywhere on the court. She had 12 assists and five digs against Holton. She also had five digs against the Thunder. She will be on my list of players to watch during club season to see which position she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='659553' first='Savannah' last='Jackson']</strong>, 5'6”, S, Jefferson West, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson was not on my radar heading into the matches at Holton, but her natural athleticism caught my eye. She is the second setter on the Tigers squad sharing time with [player_tooltip player_id='446318' first='Harriet' last='Dean']. I did not stat her during the first match against Holton but kept a close watch on her against Nemaha Central. She tallied six assists and two digs against the Thunder. She has a consistent serve and is all arms and legs. I would like to see her add some upper-body strength, and she needs to get more reps setting, whether it's with her high school squad, club team, or in individual training.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->