Players We’d Like to See Return to 2024 State Tournament (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's run it back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have plenty of fond memories from the 2023 NSAA State Volleyball Championships. Several of Nebraska's most prominent players converged in Lincoln to compete for the state's biggest prize. The 2024 tournament is quickly approaching, and we'll likely see some of the same stars for another thrilling postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which athletes would we like to see make a repeat appearance in Lincoln? We have a few in mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155042"],"_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-670e9d947c77a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This senior superstar keeps finding new ways to astonish us. Traudt is leading all Nebraska athletes with a 0.461 hitting efficiency this season. Keep in mind that this is an <em>outside hitter</em> putting up these ridiculous numbers. Grand Island graduated several impactful seniors after last year's breakout appearance in the Class A state tournament. However, Traudt will not accept anything less than another trip to Lincoln this November. The Islanders are fifth in the latest wildcard standings and will lean on their unquestioned leader for the late-season push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173516"],"_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-670e9d947c80d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helzer has been a permanent fixture at the state tournament throughout her prep career, so why not walk off with another postseason berth? Oakland-Craig has climbed to fourth in the Class C2 standings, building anticipation for another Helzer showcase in this year's tournament. The veteran pin hitter has accumulated over 400 total kills this year and has improved dramatically as a backcourt asset. With Helzer's help, Oakland-Craig can wield one of Class C2's most terminal offenses this November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498907"],"_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-670ea292b70ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year's tournament was the perfect venue for Herian to establish herself as one of Nebraska's best 2027s. She became one of Pierce's go-to attackers as a freshman, leading the Bluejays to the semifinal round. Herian likely has aspirations to go further this time, and Pierce is lighting up the win column with a 20-4 record. The journey to the C1 mountaintop will be tough, but Herian and her team have as many tools as anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275970"],"_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-670ea292b7143"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We could have chosen several different players on the Shelton roster. We're rolling with Gegg, the multi-talented junior attacker who has racked up 5.5 kills per set for the Bulldogs. Her native position is at middle blocker, but Gegg can take any swing necessary to earn a crucial side out. Shelton was our preseason Class D2 favorite this year, even after the Bulldogs clawed to the No. 8 seed in last year's postseason. This small-town powerhouse is third in the D2 hierarchy and could improve on 2023's tournament output.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458126"],"_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-670ea4a867be0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's a unique pick. Waters participated in last year's tournament with Gretna East, where she was a dynamic opposite who could also run the offense from time to time. She has now taken her talents to Millard West, where Waters has become an extraordinarily proficient underclassman setter. She is averaging nearly ten assists per set for the Wildcats and has helped her team climb to No. 6 on the Class A list. Waters would be a returning athlete from last year's tournament, but Millard West is looking to atone for its 2023 postseason hiatus. This group is poised to make amends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["462597"],"_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-670eade0ace78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Libero representation has arrived. Furstenau was last year's defensive leader for Elgin Public/Pope John as the Wolfpack emerged as a Class D1 Cinderella team. EPPJ has brought the same energy to the 2024 Class C2 field, and Furstenau's has kept racking up big numbers. She has averaged six digs per set, setting up her team for innumerable transition opportunities. The Wolfpack are looking for a final surge and enter the week at No. 9 in the wildcard race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342620"],"_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-670eade0acec4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams has literally been anchoring Gretna East's backcourt from the very beginning. She donned the libero jersey during the Griffins' inaugural volleyball season and has forged ahead as one of Class B's elite defenders. Williams has maintained a five dig-per-set average while competing against elite attackers every week. Meanwhile, Gretna East is eager to go 2-for-2 on tournament appearances and is sixth in Class B's ever-evolving wildcard duel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->