Ten Nebraska Underdog Teams We’re Eyeing this October (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time for the underdogs to make their move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we discussed a group of Class A, B, and C1 teams that could make a late-season surge into the postseason conversation. This is our way of ushering in a new month--and the most chaotic month on Nebraska's prep calendar. October is always full of surprises and breakout teams, particularly as we head into district play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's feature turns to Class C2, D1, and D2. The small-town circuit is notoriously unpredictable, so we have no shortage of options here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elmwood-Murdock</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not far removed from Elmwood-Murdock's run to the 2023 state semifinals. Still, a new wave of Knights is setting the standard for another late push this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":890983,"width":"394px","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/5/2025/10/IMG_6033-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-890983" style="width:394px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Backemeyer competes with Nebraska Juniors during the 2025 club season.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we still have some high-impact seniors who have been on the tournament stage before. [player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] and Brookie Goudie have topped the scoring charts for Elmwood-Murdock, so the senior guidance is there. But the Knights have also received highlight-worthy moments from sophomores like [player_tooltip player_id='758051' first='Ayzlee' last='Haertel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747550' first='Lucy' last='Backemeyer']. This youth-experience dichotomy is paying off for Elmwood-Murdock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class C2 could raise some eyebrows this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stanton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have piled up their share of wins over the past few years. Will another extraordinary season turn into a Lincoln trek?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanton is 14-5 behind the unrelenting arms of [player_tooltip player_id='819029' first='Skyler' last='Siebrandt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='737375' first='Bridget' last='Marotz']. Both athletes are hitting north of 0.300 while generating 3.6 kills per set. [player_tooltip player_id='698108' first='Bergan' last='Pohlman'] has guided the offense to some sky-high numbers along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting 13th in the ultra-competitive Class C2 race is not a bad place to be heading into the home stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sutton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class D1's mountain of winning teams creates a large, tightly clustered group of contenders at the top of the wildcard standings. Perhaps Sutton can climb the ladder and recapture some of the postseason magic we saw in 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 14-8 Fillies are anchored by a host of recognizable athletes we've covered in the South Central NE gym. Junior terminators [player_tooltip player_id='591602' first='Kamryn' last='Steinhauer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='591597' first='Katie' last='Baldwin'] are chipping in with three kills per set apiece. [player_tooltip player_id='809802' first='Miranda' last='Nuss'] has maintained her intimidating presence in the middle. And, of course, senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='396734' first='Kyla' last='Griess'] is back to form with a whopping 6.6 digs per set and all the perfect passes you'd expect from an all-GJNC performer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutton's late-season schedule is stacked. Matches against Thayer Central, Fairbury, David City, and Nebraska Christian will reveal a lot about the team's postseason readiness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":436910,"width":"399px","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/5/2023/07/DSC03450.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-436910" style="width:399px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Griess on the GJNC stage with South Central NE.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Plainview</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even when we expand our reach to the Top 20 of Class D1's wildcard, more potential underdogs emerge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plainview currently sits 18th in the standings with a 10-5 mark. The Pirates are on pace to best last year's win total and have a wealth of veteran influence to wield. [player_tooltip player_id='834147' first='Kenzie' last='Doerr'], Riley Miller, and Kaydance Maertins contribute to one of the most balanced offenses on Nebraska's small-town scene. Senior setter Mallory Mauer has done an exceptional job honing her connections with her fellow multi-year starters, culminating in a big uptick in the win column this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for upcoming contests against Crofton and Wynot. Plainview has something to prove.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Paxton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we're bringing up our Class D2 pick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D2 still has a lot to sort out over the last few weeks of the regular season. That allows teams like Paxton to gain some valuable wildcard spots before sub-districts are seeded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers were a state tournament fixture in the 2000s but are seeking their first Lincoln berth since 2009. This year's firepower has been primarily supplied by underclassmen, with Addison Holm and [player_tooltip player_id='833036' first='Jakcee' last='Mitchell'] leading the way. This freshman-sophomore combo has combined for nearly six kills per set to pace Paxton's 12-8 start in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even if this isn't Paxton's breakout year, the foundation is being laid for future seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->