Impact Liberos from Nebraska’s 2024 State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one for the lockdown defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our post-tournament coverage has delved into star freshmen and championship-winning seniors, but we haven't honed in on a specific position group yet. That changes with today's feature, and we're starting in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Exceptional liberos always seem to find the state tournament spotlight. The postseason stage is a microcosm of what makes Nebraska prep volleyball so great, and that greatness often revolves around stellar ball control and relentless defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's elevate these unsung heroes from the 2024 bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173519"],"_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-6735479d89a35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkhorn South's postseason return exceeded expectations, and Junior's veteran leadership at the libero spot was a key factor in the breakthrough. The Northern Illinois signee was a stabilizing force in the serve-receive pattern while also putting clutch digs on the Storm tally. We won't soon forget Junior's colossal 30-dig performance in a three-set quarterfinal triumph against Fremont.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189376"],"_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-6735479d89ad4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashby's move to Grand Island Senior High produced immediate results. The Central Nebraska standout registered over 550 digs during the regular season to rank near the top of the Class A hierarchy. This set up GISH for a return trip to Lincoln, where the Islanders went a round further than last year's effort. Ashby had 22 digs in Grand Island's upset win over Omaha Westside and had 20 more against Elkhorn South. This star senior has undoubtedly proven herself against the state's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495060"],"_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-67355d01d2130"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck finding defensive numbers comparable to Reiling's. The Lincoln Pius X libero held a permanent spot atop Nebraska's dig leaderboard with over 750 this fall. The state tournament gave us an in-person look at where these enormous numbers come from. Reiling is an instinctive defender who understands how to read opposing attackers and cover seams. She was locked in during Pius X's battle with Norris and produced 13 digs against the eventual champions. We expect Reiling's numbers to persist in the Thunderbolt record books for a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173524"],"_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-67355d01d217d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ott had big shoes to fill this year after the departure of all-state libero Paisley Douglas. Fortunately, Omaha Skutt Catholic didn't skip a beat with its new senior operator in the contrasting jersey. Ott's high ceiling was especially apparent when she churned out 26 digs in the Class B title bout with Noris. The Colorado-bound defender also has a wicked serve that produced 40 aces during pre-tournament action.</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-67355d01d21be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smutny is on a record-breaking pace with Battle Creek, and now she has a tournament appearance to show for it. She eclipsed 500 digs in her junior year with the Bravettes and is closing in on 1,300 for her career. Even if Smutny wasn't getting first contacts during last week's tournament match, her precise location as a secondary setter gave a huge boost to Battle Creek's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189902"],"_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-67355d01d21fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goes's hard work with Freeman High School finally culminated in that long-awaited tournament bid. The Falcons rallied around their senior defender in 2024, and Goes responded with team-leading totals in digs and service receptions. She was also among the best ace producers in Class C2 and logged 65 prior to Freeman's trip to Lincoln. This outstanding season has laid the foundation for a Freeman resurgence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[730564],"_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-67355d01d223b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's one for the freshmen. We didn't see many Class of 2028 athletes locking down the end line during tournament play, but Timmerman was eager to be the exception. She seized Norfolk Catholic's libero role in Year 1 and amassed nearly 500 digs for the Class C2 semifinalist. Timmerman's poise in the passing formation offered an extra edge in the Knights' five-set win over Yutan, and this underclassman is just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269954"],"_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-67355d01d2278"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bayer is no stranger to tournament accolades. She was an instrumental part of Howells-Dodge's 2022 title, and she has retained the team's libero role since. She helped the seventh-seeded Jaguars secure an upset to reach the tournament and had well over 400 total digs throughout 2024. Bayer's wide-ranging impact will be remembered as the Jaguars continue to build on its dynasty in the 2020s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["578481"],"_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-6735479d89b4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hartington Cedar Catholic scratched and clawed to a fifth set in its quarterfinal showdown with Superior, the eventual Class D1 champion. That defensive grit was anchored by Hochstein, an unflappable senior who compiled a whopping 34 digs in the tournament struggle. Hochstein's willingness to pass large chunks of the court also put Cedar Catholic's offense in a position to succeed. It's the true mark of a transformative libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->