Saturday’s Most Compelling District Final Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have one more wave of matches to check off before the state tournament--and what a Saturday slate it is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every class except Class A will compete in a Saturday wave of district finals to set the final state tournament bracket. We have plenty of rivalries, storylines, and toss-ups in play for these district finals, so let's dive right into the discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't miss these dramatic finales.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(5) Seward vs. (12) Lincoln Pius X</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most intriguing 5-versus-12 matchups you'll ever see on the district final circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seward has been one of Class B's many consistent contenders this year. The balanced combination of [player_tooltip player_id='269908' first='Kelsey' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='213980' first='Amara' last='Siebert'], and [player_tooltip player_id='494928' first='Kennedy' last='Limback'] has produced exceptional results in a stacked eastern Nebraska field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Bluejays stumbled in their sub-district final against York. Perhaps this is an opportunity for Lincoln Pius X to pounce after enjoying a late-season surge. The Thunderbolts have recently triumphed over big-name squads like Fremont and Elkhorn North, so we know about this team's huge potential. Senior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable'] will lead the operation in the B-5 district final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(6) Gretna East vs. (11) Gretna</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where have we seen this before?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class B's wildcard math has drawn up a rematch between Gretna and Gretna East. These crosstown rivals just met this week in the B-3 sub-district semi-finals, where the Dragons scored the upset with a 3-1 win. The 2024 series history between these squads is now tied at two, so we have a rare opportunity to witness a five-fold rubber match for a tournament appearance. Drama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dragons had four players with double-digit kills in this week's win. [player_tooltip player_id='155044' first='Elle' last='Heckenlively'] led the proceedings with 18. Gretna East matched that balance and received 12 kills from [player_tooltip player_id='342514' first='Maddie' last='Schnell'] on a 0.346 clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":714069,"width":"451px","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/5/2024/11/IMG_2134-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-714069" style="width:451px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='173534' first='Taryn' last='O'Hare'] competes in the 2022 Class C1 state championship match.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>(2) Clarkson/Leigh vs. (15) Gothenburg</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gothenburg's late-season heroism will be tested once more against one of the most consistent volleyball powerhouses of the 2020s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swedes have reached the state tournament in each of the past three years but face a tough road back to Lincoln. Fortunately, a massive 3-0 triumph over Kearney Catholic in the C1-8 sub-district has put Gothenburg back on course for something special. Seasoned attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='731665' first='Lindly' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173534' first='Taryn' last='O'Hare'] are stepping up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkson/Leigh has forged ahead with seniors Baylee Settje and [player_tooltip player_id='269955' first='Izzy' last='Hollatz'] dominating the scoring column. The Patriots cruised through the C1-5 sub-district, so their familiar postseason form is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(5) Yutan vs. (12) Elgin Public/Pope John</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Class C2 squads are looking for repeat tournament appearances, but they'll have to go through one another to reach that milestone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yutan is the No. 5 seed in Class C2 despite having only one blemish on its overall record. The persistent dominance of [player_tooltip player_id='497412' first='Mylee' last='Tichota'], [player_tooltip player_id='512044' first='Mckenna' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='495055' first='Gabi' last='Tederman'] has kept the Chieftans near the top after last year's semifinal appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, Elgin Public/Pope John was a 2023 semifinalist, too. The Wolf Pack clawed through Class D1's tough 2023 field and has done the same as Class C2 contenders. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='253912' first='Chloe' last='Henn'] is enjoying the best season of her prep career with 4.5 kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(8) Johnson-Brock vs. (9) Crofton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8-versus-9 matchups are almost always compelling, but we're paying special attention to this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crofton's physicality and distribution were huge talking points during last year's state tournament. Many of those 2023 stars are back with [player_tooltip player_id='497413' first='Jaisie' last='Janssen'], [player_tooltip player_id='495073' first='Lexi' last='Wiebelhaus'], and [player_tooltip player_id='495076' first='Sammie' last='Allen'] enjoying unprecedented success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, Johnson-Brock is the seeded favorite in this district final. The Eagles are battle-tested after competing in sub-district matches against Archbishop Bergan and Oakland-Craig. This squad is led by [player_tooltip player_id='155057' first='Taryn' last='Ottemann'], a steely veteran who is just shy of 1,000 career kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(4) Nebraska Christian vs. (13) Diller-Odell</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class D1's parity could come to a major crescendo on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Christian has rocketed up the Class D1 standings after winning 13 of its last 14 matches. This included two sweeps to win the D1-6 sub-district and secure a spot in the finals. [player_tooltip player_id='275966' first='Sheridan' last='Falk'] and Taytym Perdew are still getting it done along the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diller-Odell is not far removed from its golden era of postseason volleyball. The 2020 champs took down Weeping Water and Tri County as the No. 3 seed to make a triumphant ascent to the district finals. Look for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='173559' first='Myleigh' last='Weers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269939' first='Baileigh' last='Vilda'] to maintain their attacking dominance while [player_tooltip player_id='275969' first='Berkelee' last='Beekman'] distributes the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">(6) Stuart vs. (11) St. Mary's</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We keep piling up the juggernaut matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the other matchups we've discussed, the D2-6 district final features two teams with a wealth of recent postseason success. Stuart has kept rolling after last year's tournament bid and leans on senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='495090' first='Reagan' last='Stracke'] in the frontcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='728374' first='Elly' last='Steinhauser'] has been one of Class D2's most productive liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's hopes to build off back-to-back trips to Lincoln in 2022 and 2023. Junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='731651' first='Gracie' last='Williamson'] is the new go-to hitter for this crew, but [player_tooltip player_id='498983' first='Pyper' last='Ickes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='495088' first='Annabelle' last='Barlow'] have also piled up impressive numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, of course, this is also a rematch of Tuesday's sub-district final. It's funny how that works out. Stuart earned a 3-0 win, but the visitors from O'Neill will be eager for a bounceback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->