Making a Championship Case for Each of Class A’s Top Eight Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good luck predicting a champion out of this stacked field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sub-districts and districts have begun across Cornhusker State. We'll recap some important results momentarily, but we also want to spotlight this incredibly compelling Class A race. Get ready for a postseason gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's Class A tournament demonstrates the unpredictable nature of postseason volleyball. Papillion-La Vista visited Lincoln as the No. 8 seed but marched to a championship match appearance after taking down two top-tier squads. Class A's talent pool is expanding yearly, giving us a ton of parity when a trophy is on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A districts kicked off Monday, but the top eight seeds had the day off. Eight, of course, is the magic number to reach for the quarterfinals in Lincoln. Any one of these teams could win it all, and we're ready to make the case for each one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Papillion-La Vista South</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":701210,"width":"368px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/IMG_3643-edited.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-701210" style="width:368px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solomon sets for Papillion-La Vista South at the 2024 Allison Weston Invitational.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They're No. 1 for a reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You don't have to execute a bunch of mental gymnastics to place Papio South at the top of the Class A pack. The Titans are on a multi-year run of top-overall seeds and have won three championships in the past five years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps last season's upset loss in the quarterfinal round will offer extra juice for this postseason run. Even if you set aside the larger context, it's hard not to like this Titan lineup. [player_tooltip player_id='458153' first='Lyric' last='Judson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155053' first='Charlee' last='Solomon'] lead the way with 3.1 kills per set while executing a multi-position dance that only they can pull off. [player_tooltip player_id='275896' first='Kami' last='Dyrstad'] still commands the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trophy case is already getting full, but there's room for more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Westside</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the middle of an Omaha Westside renaissance that began when the team reached the Class A semifinals in 2021. Before that, the Warriors hadn't seen Nebraska's postseason stage since 2002.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westside has reached the semifinals every year since then and was the runner-up in 2022. The school's first championship remains elusive, but we like the setup this fall. Creighton commit [player_tooltip player_id='155047' first='Ashlyn' last='Paymal'] has remained on her amazing scoring pace, but she also has an excellent supporting cast in the frontcourt. Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett'] is hitting nearly 0.400 this year and has been a transformative addition to the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have had epic battles with Papio South already this year. Are we due for another one?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/1840098684333167058","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/1840098684333167058 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fremont</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are on the hunt again. Fremont made a tournament appearance in 2021 to break a postseason drought that dated back to the 1980s. The wait for another tournament bid should be shorter this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fremont's late-season hot streak is a compelling argument in favor of this group. The Tigers hoisted the championship trophy in the Heartland Athletic Conference Tournament after taking down fellow title frontrunner Lincoln Southwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='155050' first='Mattie' last='Dalton'] is the lifeblood of the team with an astonishing 6.9 kills per set. [player_tooltip player_id='349419' first='Blair' last='Boehlke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='516733' first='Katie' last='Proskovec'] have also been formidable at the net to lead one of Class A's top blocking teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the year to make a move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Southwest</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the defending champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Southwest finally got its state volleyball title last year while also ending a long Class A dry spell for the entire Star City. Sometimes, one championship triumph becomes the catalyst for many more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Hawks have relied on several new starters this year, but this hasn't slowed LSW's upward trajectory. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] runs a precise offense that is spread evenly between [player_tooltip player_id='342615' first='Shelby' last='Harding'], [player_tooltip player_id='349455' first='Alivia' last='Gustafson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189377' first='Taylor' last='Schuster']. [player_tooltip player_id='155041' first='Olivia' last='Kremer'] has seamlessly transitioned to the libero jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A is familiar with repeat champions. Lincoln Southwest is the latest school in that spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard West</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 was an anomaly for Millard West. Before missing last year's tournament, the Wildcats had reached the quarterfinals every year since 2011. This season could be the start of a new streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard West has earned a reputation for toppling big-time opponents this year. The Wildcats boast wins over Papillion-La Vista South, Lincoln Southwest, Elkhorn South, and many more. If this team can harness some of that high-end potential at the right time, it could lead to Class A glory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior terminators [player_tooltip player_id='209291' first='Hayden' last='Hart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288606' first='Halle' last='Kerkman'] are chipping in with about four kills per set apiece. Their connection with sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='458126' first='Ava' last='Waters'] has flourished, producing plenty of eye-catching late-season results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Grand Island</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the agenda for Grand Island: prove that last year's historic tournament appearance was no fluke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think the Islanders have already done that, regardless of how this week's district results pan out. Still, GISH has a golden opportunity to make more noise in Lincoln with its remarkable group of seniors. This group is led by UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='155042' first='Tia' last='Traudt'], who has sat atop Nebraska's overall hitting efficiency leaderboards...while playing outside hitter. She is putting down nearly six kills per set and earns the rare distinction of being nearly unstoppable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The addition of veteran defender [player_tooltip player_id='189376' first='Reagan' last='Ashby'] has transformed the Grand Island backcourt. She regularly delivers perfect passes to setter [player_tooltip player_id='462588' first='Jaysa' last='Wentzlaff'], who is also in her swan song season. If seasoned leadership is your tipping point, side with the Islanders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elkhorn South</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Storm are acquainted with championship-level volleyball. Elkhorn South hoisted the trophy in 2020 and has earned a long list of tournament bids. A Lincoln trip this fall would still be an incredible accomplishment with Elkhorn South sporting a new coaching staff and a fresh wave of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young stars like [player_tooltip player_id='292243' first='Cosette' last='Bartling'], [player_tooltip player_id='443108' first='Reese' last='Eilenstine'], and [player_tooltip player_id='349418' first='Chloe' last='Rauner'] have helped bring Elkhorn South back to postseason prominence. It also helps to have ball-control veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='173519' first='Isabel' last='Junior'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189370' first='Julia' last='Ringenberg'] locking down the first two contacts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Columbus</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not side with the underdog?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus is the true wildcard of this group and is looking for its first state volleyball tournament appearance in two decades. That's a lot of history to overcome, but these Discoverers are charting a new path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we can point to the aforementioned runner-up journey from last year's No. 8 seed, Papillion-La Vista. Anything is possible. It also helps that Columbus has a wide array of terminal attackers with [player_tooltip player_id='275936' first='Paighton' last='Erb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='395104' first='Ayla' last='Janssen']. The Discoverers also wield a wicked middle blocker tandem with Grayson Gentile and [player_tooltip player_id='237412' first='Taytum' last='Miller'] anchoring the position. Many of these athletes have proven their aptitude on the club volleyball stage, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breaking a long postseason drought could provide enough motivation to punch a ticket to Lincoln. Columbus joins Elkhorn South in the always-dramatic A-7 district bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->