Small-Town Setters Making Big Gains Before Postseason Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back on the small-town scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's postseason will give us a lot of angles and storylines to cover. Most of all, we can't forget about the hidden gems who have guided their teams toward tournament contention as we reach late October. Let's expand on that topic here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our microscope has been on small-town setters before, but Nebraska's leaderboard has evolved since then. Here's a refreshed look at a few signal-callers vying for postseason bids as we storm toward districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["462587"],"_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-671ed10537118"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scholting and Pierce have been agonizingly close to the championship mountaintop. The Bluejays were a few points away from reaching last year's Class C1 title match, and the team has another shot at it this year. Pierce's senior setter has churned out over ten assists per set for the second consecutive year, ranking among Nebraska's best in that category. Scholting's squad finished second in Class C1's regular-season standings, setting up a date in the C1-4 sub-district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='728405' first='Faith' last='Butler']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Superior","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671ed105371c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Superior's head-spinning offensive totals yield some equally impressive numbers for their senior setter. Butler is credited with 10.9 assists per set and is closing in on 1,000 total helpers this fall. The Wildcats have scored at will against most opposing defenses this year, putting the squad at No. 3 in the final wildcard hierarchy. Butler's poise and senior leadership will be crucial as Superior vies for its first state tournament appearance in three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Reese Hirschfeld","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"York","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671ed10537248"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've covered a lot of powerhouse "super teams" in the Class B field, but don't forget about York lurking in the postseason picture. The Dukes have been aided by a veteran setter who has tallied a career-best ten assists per set. Hirschfeld has been a regular starter since her sophomore year, acquainting her with the rigors of Class B volleyball. York finished eighth in the final wildcard tally and will meet Aurora in the upcoming B-6 sub-district bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464913"],"_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-671ed10537309"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbus Lakeview is another volleyball powerhouse looking to restore order with a tournament appearance. The Vikings are led by Dawson, a junior setter who has eclipsed ten assists per set in back-to-back years. Lakeview is in a great spot to shake up the Class C1 tournament picture after battling to a 20-9 record in the regular season. A path to Lincoln exists in the C1-4 sub-district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["464659"],"_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-671ed10537348"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanSkiver's consistent development has helped turn Hastings St. Cecilia into a postseason contender. The junior setter impressed us during this year's club season, so her emergence as an exceptional setter is no surprise. She is generating ten assists per set while spreading the ball to several of St. Cecilia's high-flying attackers. The Bluehawks are part of a stacked group of Class C2 contenders, but VanSkiver's precise setting could lead her team to Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498987"],"_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-671ed10537385"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't say enough good things about the new-look lineup for last year's Class D2 champs. Overton had to replace so many of its stars from that exceptional team, but Elfgren has ushered in a new era for the Eagles. The sophomore has dished out nearly nine assists per set while also piling up over 250 total digs on the season. Ball control has become the new defining characteristic of Overton's success, and this wouldn't be possible without Elfgren. Next up: the D2-6 sub-district bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='737397' first='Aspen' last='Billeter']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bartley Southwest","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671ed105373fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is not an ordinary freshman performance. Not only has Billeter taken the reins of Bartley Southwest's offense in her debut season, but the Roughriders are also 30-0 behind her leadership. Billeter's ten assists per set only tell part of the story of how special this 2024 season has been. Southwest sits atop the Class D1 hierarchy heading into sub-districts, where the Roughriders will start their postseason journey in the D1-10 sub-district. Billeter will be ready to lead the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->