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<p>It's time for the underdogs to make their move.</p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p></p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elmwood-Murdock</span></strong></p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p>Class C2 could raise some eyebrows this month.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stanton</span></strong></p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p>Sitting 13th in the ultra-competitive Class C2 race is not a bad place to be heading into the home stretch.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sutton</span></strong></p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Plainview</span></strong></p>
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<p>Even when we expand our reach to the Top 20 of Class D1's wildcard, more potential underdogs emerge.</p>
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<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>
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<p>Look out for upcoming contests against Crofton and Wynot. Plainview has something to prove.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Paxton</span></strong></p>
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<p>Finally, we're bringing up our Class D2 pick.</p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p>Even if this isn't Paxton's breakout year, the foundation is being laid for future seasons.</p>
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<p></p>
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It's time for the underdogs to make their move.
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. 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. Elmwood-Murdock 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. Backemeyer competes with Nebraska Juniors during the 2025 club season. Of course, we still have some high-impact seniors who have been on…
