Nebraska’s Top “Spoiler” Teams to Watch at NSAA State Champs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll never pass up the chance to chat about underdogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NSAA State Volleyball Championships have always been a venue for drama and surprises. Prep volleyball seldom plays out as expected, and the high school postseason is not exempt from this parity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can call them Cinderellas, dark horses, or spoiler teams. Whatever the case, these squads are on our radar to shake up the seeded hierarchy of Nebraska's quarterfinal round and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Millard North</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1058803,"width":"397px","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/5/2026/11/IMG_8926-edited.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1058803" style="width:397px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zephier-Murphy</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the "dark horse" phraseology would be appropriate for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Puns aside, Millard North's late-season momentum has been a persistent talking point lately. The Mustangs paid it off with a win in the A-7 district finals, propelling this group to the No. 7 seed in Class A's quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This crew has a medley of names you're likely used to hearing from our club coverage. Soso Marin has been an unstoppable force, perpetuating the highlight moments she amassed in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] gym. [player_tooltip player_id='932952' first='Bailey' last='Ruch'] has played multiple positions across the front row, just as she has with Nebraska Elite. Then, you have the ironclad connection that [player_tooltip player_id='847923' first='Andie' last='Blomenkamp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='850372' first='Marianna' last='Zephier-Murphy'] have formed while representing Premier Nebraska.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Club storylines will command even more attention when Millard North meets defending champion Papillion-La Vista South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Gering</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the panhandle!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gering makes its triumphant return after claiming the No. 8 seed in last year's Class B chase. The Bulldogs are now better-positioned at the sixth spot, and the team now boasts an enviable combination of talent and experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The vaunted terminal duo of [player_tooltip player_id='443104' first='Jacey' last='Cochran'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807959' first='Jaxie' last='John'] will embark on their final week on the Nebraska prep circuit. This pair has been indispensable during Gering's rise in the state's panhandle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore stars like [player_tooltip player_id='932973' first='Finley' last='Rotherham'], [player_tooltip player_id='789881' first='Adriana' last='Canales'], and [player_tooltip player_id='961175' first='Parker' last='Palser'] have flourished, too. And it's not just about the offense, as senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='814054' first='Ivy' last='Bruckner'] is closing in on a triple-digit block total this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gering will now meet Gretna after toppling Gretna East in the district finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kearney Catholic</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":915084,"width":"292px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8408327736736064","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/5/2025/12/50-Adriana-Canales.jpg?w=861" alt="" class="wp-image-915084" style="aspect-ratio:0.8408327736736064;width:292px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Canales</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is this a stretch? Maybe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, Kearney Catholic has been a frequent postseason contender for a while. Sure, they're not that far down the C1 leaderboard as the No. 5 seed in this year's tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But perhaps the biggest contributing factor to Kearney Catholic's underdog mystique is its quarterfinal matchup with defending champion Milford. The Eagles are one of the toughest 4-seeds in this week's field, but the Stars are a good torchbearer among the 5s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The conversation starts on the outside, where [player_tooltip player_id='806196' first='Kinley' last='Wemhoff'] has maintained the incredible pace she set with AVC in the club season. Further physicality is provided by [player_tooltip player_id='812669' first='Danielle' last='Seim'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932958' first='Ella' last='Ellsworth'], who can hit any tempo at the net. Roslyn Korhn and Campbell Dunham have shared setter duties with enormous success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stanton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs just got a shoutout during our instant reactions to the 2026 bracket, but we can delve further into this C2 Cinderella.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanton ousted last year's No. 1 seed to secure a spot in Lincoln. As mentioned yesterday, this program's consistent excellence has put it on the cusp of a postseason berth for a while. That can make underdogs particularly dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent is there, too. We gave a nod to the junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='737375' first='Bridget' last='Marotz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='698108' first='Bergan' last='Pohlman'], which boasts nearly eight combined kills per set. Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='813874' first='Hayden' last='Dixon'] has been similarly effective while leading the team's blocking ledger by a huge margin. And across from this steely veteran, freshman middle Charlie Marotz has added a new layer to Stanton's scoring and defensive prowess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sandhills/Thedford</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A No. 8 seed! Why not?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take note: an eighth-seeded team has won a quarterfinal match in two of the last three state championships. It's a rare feat, but Nebraska's escalating parity could make it more commonplace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, bring on Sandhills/Thedford. The Knights went on the road and toppled Elba in the district finals, capping off a stout 22-9 campaign. Sophomore sensations [player_tooltip player_id='848988' first='Emma' last='Ray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='845825' first='Josie' last='Morrow'] have combined for about six-and-a-half kills per set while also pacing Sandhills/Thedford's efficiency column. Senior leadership has come from setter Grace Johnson and middle blocker Lindsey McIntosh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Neill St. Mary's is on the docket for Thursday's opener. Expect fireworks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->