Which Class A Underclassmen Made Gains at State Tournament?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be a good preview for next year's club standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A schools continue to dazzle us at the annual NSAA State Volleyball Championships. Perhaps it's even more astounding that many of these juggernaut programs lean on several underclassmen to reach the postseason. We have more underclassmen to cover from this year's tournament, so let's bring the spotlight back to Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep these names in mind as we pivot toward 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458159"],"_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-673d3620af2a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you want a sign of a true competitor, Bails' biggest breakthrough of 2024 may have come in the Class A championship match. The sophomore outside hitter worked hard to return from injury this fall, so we had to wait a while to see Bails on the floor. Once cleared, Bails made the most of her time in the lineup. She entered the Class A finale and registered seven clutch kills across the front row for Papio South. Her smart shot selection turned the tide in the first set, helping the Titans reclaim their No. 1 status in the state. Look for more of this clutch ability during the upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["503568"],"_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-673d3620af2ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have plenty of fond memories of Sanders bursting onto the scene this spring. She was a game-changer in the Premier Nebraska gym and helped her team clinch a bid to USAV Nationals. That was the prelude to another breakout tenure with Papillion-La Vista South on the high school side. Sanders finished third on the team's overall kill tally and added ten in Papio South's title sweep over Elkhorn South. The Titans keep developing well-rounded outside hitters who can do it all, and Sanders will add to that growing list of athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521266"],"_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-673d3620af343"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Underclassmen were a major catalyst for Lincoln North Star's upset bid to the Class A tournament. McKernan's physicality in the middle yielded some of Nebraska's best numbers in the 2027 class. She compiled over 250 kills on a high clip while also producing some of North Star's best blocking numbers. McKernan displayed this full range when she competed with [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] in the spring. Now, she's replicating that success against Class A's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458146"],"_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-673d3620af384"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kroll's numbers speak for themselves, but she's so much more than what can be displayed on a stat sheet. The sophomore setter amassed nearly 1,000 assists this year and was responsible for Lincoln North Star's balanced, varied offense. Kroll has been in several high-stakes matches on the club side with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''], preparing her for the rigors of Class A prep competition. That experience has given Kroll the confidence and skill to produce the best volleyball of her career--and she's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458173"],"_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-673d3620af3c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year's club season gave us a stark glimpse at Riggins' versatility and athleticism. She's an explosive attacker who can also stabilize a team's ball control and backcourt defense. Riggins saw several opportunities in the frontcourt this year and also participated in the five-set quarterfinal gauntlet against Millard West. The Silver Hawks have some lineup voids to fill from this year's squad, but Riggins is in a perfect position to capitalize. First, though, we'll watch Riggins make more gains next spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521289"],"_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-673d3620af404"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another Nebraska Juniors product building off a big 2024 calendar year. Goodwin's stunning athleticism made her the subject of several features during the club season. She can swing on either pin and primarily played on the right side for Grand Island this fall. The sophomore churned out 150 kills during the regular season and had seven more in the quarterfinal upset win over Omaha Westside. This tournament triumph should be the springboard to more highlight moments from Goodwin next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443108"],"_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-673d3620af443"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eilenstine was an indispensable contributor to Elkhorn South's 2024 resurgence. She had an exceptional freshman season and backed that up with another triple-digit kill output this fall. The high-flying sophomore also proved her willingness to adapt to a variety of roles as the Storm experimented with different lineups. Even if she was coming in as a serving specialist or a backcourt sub, Eilenstine provided plenty of positive impact as the Storm rolled to the championship match. We're ready to see more in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->