Ten Nebraska Underdog Teams We’re Eyeing this October (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ready for an October shakeup?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we near the end of the regular season, we always brace ourselves for a few surprises. Teams deeper down the wildcard standings have an opportunity to catch fire and disrupt Nebraska's prep hierarchy in the postseason. We're bound to have a few surprise entrants to Lincoln's big dance this November, so let's get you primed on some candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part 1 is here, and Class A, B, and C1 are first up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576590,"width":"270px","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/5/2024/07/56-Emma-Ammon.jpg?w=988" alt="" class="wp-image-576590" style="width:270px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ammon</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard West</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, it might be a stretch to consider Millard West an underdog. The Wildcats have plenty of recent tournament success and high-profile triumphs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's the narrative we're selling. Millard West graduated a host of impactful seniors from last year's squad. Hayden Hart, Halle Kerkman, Malia Fichtl, Sierra Pokharel, and Laynee Baker were all Class of 2025 gems who helped keep up the Wildcats' winning ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's a lot of production to replace for this fall, but Millard West has still clawed to Class A's Top 10 after a grueling schedule. Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='458126' first='Ava' last='Waters'] has found frontcourt leaders to lean on, including middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='275897' first='Taya' last='Thaden'] and Elle Dahlhauser. [player_tooltip player_id='773875' first='Teagan' last='Nielsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='575221' first='Brinley' last='Walter'] carry the banner for the Class of 2028, while [player_tooltip player_id='800188' first='Stella' last='Neal'] has become the new senior anchor in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576579,"width":"260px","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/5/2024/07/44-Brinley-Walter.jpg?w=1008" alt="" class="wp-image-576579" style="width:260px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Walter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Major matchups between Lincoln Southwest and Millard North loom before the Wildcats embark on the Metro Conference Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Westview</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're seeing the best of the Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Westview's prep journey began in 2022, when the Wolverines navigated a Class A slate with a roster comprised almost entirely of freshmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Building from that foundation has paid dividends in Year 4. We can now watch seasoned seniors like Riley Dungan, [player_tooltip player_id='814340' first='Jemma' last='Hart'], [player_tooltip player_id='816933' first='Meadow' last='Leischner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='771605' first='Rylee' last='Meysenburg'] lead an offense that has gelled over multiple seasons. Of course, the emergence of freshman pin-hitting sensation Josie Peatrowsky doesn't hurt, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westview ends September with a 12-5 mark and has landed in Class A's top dozen. What a breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">McCook</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class B has some serious range. We're used to seeing big-city squads dominate the scene, but then teams like McCook emerge from the southwest corner of the Cornhusker State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the state's top underdogs, McCook is capitalizing on tenured leaders en route to a special 2025 season. [player_tooltip player_id='833145' first='Jaylea' last='Walgren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809567' first='Cali' last='Crawford'] are deadlocked for the team lead at 3.9 kills per set. Defensive numbers are also sky-high with senior defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='830174' first='Bailee' last='Foster'] logging 5.9 digs per set. It's a balanced onslaught that has yielded a 12-5 overall record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're looking forward to some important upcoming litmus tests for McCook. Gothenburg and North Platte will offer some stiff resistance on the western Nebraska circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Blair</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about the Bears?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair is nestled on the north side of Omaha, so the team is always dotted with players we're accustomed to seeing on the club side. Upperclassman standouts [player_tooltip player_id='518569' first='Emma' last='Ammon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='800649' first='Olivia' last='Wolff'] lead that camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, the Bears have also experienced a youth movement this fall with first-year stars Evie Bruck and Addi Svehla generating monster numbers at their respective positions. It's an unexpectedly diverse cast that has produced a winning record through the bulk of Class B play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up: an October gauntlet featuring Gretna East, Norris, Gretna, and Platteview. The Blair slate is stacked, so opportunities await.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fairbury</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will this be the year for Fairbury's postseason ascent?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jeffs have been on the cusp of a November trip to Lincoln for a while. Fairbury hasn't reached the state tournament in two decades, but the team has boasted ample talent to stay in the hunt. High-flying outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='365054' first='Evelyn' last='Timmons'] is now an upperclassman, and she has maintained her incredible scoring clip with 5.5 kills per set this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='850985' first='Micah' last='Friesen'], another veteran, is keeping pace with 4.6 terminations per set and adds to the lethal Jeffs offense. It's all tied together by [player_tooltip player_id='809463' first='Taryn' last='Hinman']'s steady leadership at the setter spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairbury's 12-5 start has put it in a gaggle of Class C1 teams looking for vital wildcard positioning heading into the season's final few weeks. Crucial late contests against David City and Milford could help turn the tide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->