Which Teams Could Play Spoiler Before 2024 State Tourney?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're always looking for Nebraska's next triumphant underdogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our recent features have covered many of the state's top wildcard competitors, all of which plan on reaching this year's NSAA State Volleyball Championships. However, nothing is set in stone before we wrap up conference tournaments, sub-districts, and districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's cite Summerland High School as a team that played spoiler a year ago. The Bobcats entered districts as the Class C2's No. 15 seed and had a tall task against second-seeded and undefeated Bayard in the district finals. But, as we know, Summerland produced a rousing performance to upset Bayard and punch the final ticket to the 2023 tournament. You can never count anyone out?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which teams could play that role in 2024? We have a few ideas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Pius X</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Never overlook Pius X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunderbolts have played one of the most daunting schedules in the entire state this year. Even after moving from Class A to Class B, Pius has competed against Class A's most powerful dynasties--in addition to all the talent-laden squads in Class B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pius' 14-22 overall record does not depict the team's high-end potential heading into postseason play. The Thunderbolts have recently scored massive wins over postseason contenders like Omaha Westside, Fremont, and Elkhorn North. Senior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] has forged ahead with over five kills per set to rank among the state's most lethal attackers. Veteran libero [player_tooltip player_id='495060' first='Emilia' last='Reiling'] has an astonishing 6.8 digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a tough matchup for whichever squad meets Pius in the Class B district slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Marian</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not a stretch to think that Omaha Marian could put up a fight in Class A's district round. The 22-11 Crusaders are grooving this October with victories over Elkhorn South, Waverly, and Lincoln Pius X, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marian's offensive balance is its most prominent strength heading into the postseason. Sophomore pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='458362' first='Campbell' last='Capece'] and [player_tooltip player_id='458162' first='Taylor' last='McLeay'] lead the team with 2.5 kills per set apiece. The Crusaders also get strong numbers from veteran attackers [player_tooltip player_id='342621' first='Amelia' last='Kafka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='189350' first='Lainey' last='Bosiljevac']. [player_tooltip player_id='155038' first='Melody' last='Mayer'] continues to anchor the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wahoo</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We don't have to dig that far into the archives to find the age of Wahoo dominance in the volleyball arena. This makes it hard to consider the Warriors a true underdog, but Class C1 has been exceptional this year. A lot of remarkable teams stand in the way of a tournament bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevertheless, Wahoo will be a team to watch when we hit the sub-district gauntlet. [player_tooltip player_id='173526' first='McKenna' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='269932' first='Gretchen' last='Seagren'], and [player_tooltip player_id='516729' first='Chloe' last='Kasischke'] have all exceeded three kills per set for one of C1's most potent offenses. This senior trio will be especially motivated to go out on top for their swan song seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Concordia</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's stay in Class C1 a little longer. Omaha Concordia has built a strong, talented roster that can step up in the high-pressure situations ahead. In the past week, the Mustangs have wielded that talent to statement wins over Hastings St. Cecilia and Archbishop Bergan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576608,"width":"285px","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/5/2024/07/74-Payton-Sullivan.jpg?w=915" alt="" class="wp-image-576608" style="width:285px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sullivan</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the teams on this feature, Omaha Concordia knows how to leverage its seniors. Veteran outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='458125' first='Breckynn' last='Snyder'] is enjoying the best output of her prep career with 3.6 kills per set. [player_tooltip player_id='269910' first='Eliza' last='Schmidt'] is second on the team in both kills and hitting percentage. The two-setter system is thriving at Concordia with [player_tooltip player_id='512869' first='Alyse' last='Moulton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='464824' first='Natalie' last='Perkinson'] both distributing nicely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hastings St. Cecilia</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not give a shoutout to the aforementioned Hastings St. Cecilia? The Bluehawks have a 23-7 record and have bounced in and out of the top ten in Class C2. The team's best wins have come against perennial powerhouses like Maywood-Hayes Center and Superior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='396732' first='Payton' last='Sullivan'] has delivered on her sky-high expectations with 3.5 kills per set on a 0.400 efficiency. Class of 2025 terminators [player_tooltip player_id='173532' first='Lindsey' last='Parr'] and Brynn Weeks have added to the team's incredible balance--always a good omen for tournament time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sandhills/Thedford</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Sandhills/Thedford squad has been on our radar for a while. The Knights are lurking in a large logjam of Class D2 squads hoping to shake up the postseason picture before November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='276204' first='Laney' last='Dahlberg'] leads the way with four kills per set on a 0.279 clip. She has plenty of upperclassman support with Karley Haake and Whitley Rasmussen also elevating their hitting clip this fall. We also have to give a nod to [player_tooltip player_id='735214' first='Grace' last='Johnston'], a Class of 2027 setter who has taken the reins while surrounded by a group of veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->