New Faces We’d Like to See at 2024 State Tournament (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's add a few more new names to the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently discussed a few star players who could make a breakout tournament appearance after missing out on last year's postseason. This conversation could continue for a while, so we're rolling ahead with Part 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who's ready to showcase their skills in Lincoln?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["578476"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5e5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not many schools have racked up more tournament hardware than Columbus Scotus, but we haven't seen the Shamrocks in Lincoln for a while. It's time to change that. Dreesen has provided extraordinary senior leadership this year and has put up career-best numbers in various categories. She averages 3.8 kills per set--a two-kill-per-set improvement over her 2023 efforts. Dreesen has also surpassed 200 total digs for the second consecutive season, giving Scotus some vital contributions in the middle-back area. Class C1 has been chaotic this year, but the Shamrocks are well-positioned in the No. 4 spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464935"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671522006f3fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're kicking this one off in the backcourt. Smutny is on pace for some incredible career numbers with Battle Creek, and she still has another year left on her ledger. The talented libero reached the 1,000 career dig milestone this year and has averaged 4.8 per set through her junior campaign. This is just another standard season for Smutny, who has racked up at least four digs per set since she arrived as a freshman. Battle Creek sits right behind Scotus in a stacked field of Class C1 contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184283"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5eb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freeman has been on the cusp of a tournament bid for a while, especially with Johansen racking up exceptional numbers in the frontcourt. The junior attacker has compiled 3.5 kills per set while proving her willingness to hit anywhere along the net. Johansen has played almost any frontcourt position imaginable throughout her prep career and is paying that off with an exceptional 2024 season with the Falcons. Freeman is seventh in the latest C2 standings and has a lot to play for in districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275966"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5ef3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Falk has emerged as one of Nebraska's most effective hitters in the small-town scene. The Nebraska Christian junior has soared to 3.7 kills per set as an upperclassman--by far the best single-season output of her career. We've seen Falk thrive as a middle blocker, but she also brings the same brand of versatility we've discussed with other players on this feature. A flurry of impressive late-season wins has catalyzed Nebraska Christian's rapid rise in the Class D2 wildcard standings. Falk has been a key factor in that resurgence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["298712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5f31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbus Lakeview is another consistent volleyball dynasty looking to restore order in this year's postseason. Rowe's unstoppable offense has put the Vikings back on course with an 18-8 record and a No. 8 ranking in the wildcard standings. Lakeview's star attacker is putting down a team-best 3.3 kills per set while also leading the efficiency charts with a 0.334 average. Her native position is middle blocker, but Rowe has also proven her aptitude on the pin to get as many swings as possible. We could have some serious central Nebraska representation in Lincoln this November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443108"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5f75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Of course, we don't have to go back very far to find the last time Elkhorn South reached the state tournament mountaintop. The 2020 Class A champions have been eager to claw back into the postseason picture, and this year's squad looks like the one to do it. Eilenstine has returned to her familiar form after a strong debut campaign last fall. She's putting down 2.6 kills per set in Elkhorn South's balanced offense and also takes care of several serve-receive touches. The Storm are ready for the late-season gauntlet after hovering around Class A's top tier throughout 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458127"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671512b1a5fb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laurel-Concord-Coleridge has been a frequent discussion topic in the ever-evolving Class C1 arena. The 24-3 Bears are led by an electrifying sophomore who has put up some of the state's best attacking numbers among underclassmen. She has piled up 4.5 kills per set on a 0.285 clip to help lift L-C-C to the No. 7 spot in the wildcard standings. This feature ought to be an indication of the drama we're about to see in C1's postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->