Key Matches at Nebraska’s 2024 Regular Season Conclusion (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Districts and sub-districts are on the horizon. It's time to make that final push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the heart of mid-October, we're looking ahead to some of the last big matchups of Nebraska's regular season. The razor-thin margins in the wildcard standings mean crucial positions can still be gained with a big win. These matchups would do the trick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are ten key contests to follow through the end of the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elkhorn North @ Norris (Oct. 15)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a clash of the Titans--or, rather, the Titans and the Wolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris and Elkhorn North are due to square off in a battle between the current No. 1 and No. 2 teams in Class B's standings. The Titans won the last meeting between these two schools in a 2-0 sweep at the Lincoln Pius X Invitational. The stakes are even higher in this one-off contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll see prolific scorers like Norris' [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] and Elkhorn North's [player_tooltip player_id='445956' first='Reagan' last='Wallraff'] duel for powerhouse supremacy. Big numbers are expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1837264002935562746","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://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1837264002935562746 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard North @ Millard West (Oct. 15)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We love a high-stakes crosstown rivalry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard West and Millard North are in fascinating spots in the Class A wildcard hierarchy. The Wildcats are in a tie for fifth with Elkhorn South, so any result could swing the rankings by a position or two. Meanwhile, Millard North seeks crucial late gains and holds that magic No. 8 spot. It's a good position for district play if there are no upsets, but the Mustangs could also use some insurance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pin matchups will be fierce in this one. The Millard West senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='288606' first='Halle' last='Kerkman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] faces off with [player_tooltip player_id='173518' first='Rilyn' last='Gish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518581' first='Taylor' last='Elsasser'] of Millard North.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elkhorn South @ Papillion-La Vista South (Oct. 17)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the next Class A showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkhorn South and Papio South feel great about their postseason chances. The Storm are sixth in the wildcard race and are eager to test their mettle against the top-ranked Titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An upset bid for Elkhorn South will depend on the production of its rising stars. [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'], [player_tooltip player_id='443108' first='Reese' last='Eilenstine'], and [player_tooltip player_id='275902' first='Siena' last='Sumner'] have all been electric for the Storm--and they'll all be around next season, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Papio South senior [player_tooltip player_id='155053' first='Charlee' last='Solomon'] leads the Titan operation and has many options in the front row. Sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='458153' first='Lyric' last='Judson'] is hitting well over 0.400 on the year and can score from just about anywhere along the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Holdrege @ Minden (Oct. 17)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Storylines abound in Class C1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minden has been borderline unstoppable this year. The 27-0 Whippets only have two set losses all year--both to Class C2 frontrunner Lincoln Lutheran. The defending state champs are still led by senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173530' first='Mattie' last='Kamery'], who has accumulated 4.7 digs per set on a 0.409 clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holdrege is positioned ninth in the Class C1 race and could use a few extra spots before the postseason. Junior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='582873' first='Carson' last='Sundquist'] has been a difference-maker with 3.7 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">York @ Grand Island Northwest (Oct. 22)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interstate 80 links these two volleyball powerhouses, and this season finale should be worth the trip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've talked a lot about Class B's top tier this year, but the next wave of teams has been producing incredible parity and unpredictable results. York is seventh in the Class B standings--right above GI Northwest in eighth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest is keen on starting a new postseason streak after seeing their long run halted last year. Freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='593775' first='Ava' last='Janulewicz'] leads the 2024 Vikings with 3.7 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='462564' first='Cynley' last='Wilkinson'] still paves the way for the Dukes. She has 3.6 kills per set this year, but freshman pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='572604' first='Harley' last='Wardyn'] is not far behind with 2.7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->