Instant Classic at the Metro Tournament Finals

The Metro Conference Tournament finals was a battle between two of the state’s most talented squads. The match did not disappoint. Featuring D1 recruits on both sides of the net, one could reasonably expect Elkhorn South and Papillion-La Vista South to trade huge shots. That’s exactly what happened, too. It was not hard to see how evenly matched this championship was. These teams found themselves in a deciding fifth after clashing in one hotly contested set after another. The Storm emerged as the eventual winner, but it’s clear that both teams are primed for postseason play. Would you expect anything different? Of course, I’ve got plenty of thoughts on this match that serves as a perfect segue to district competition next week!   Ball Control This is no mystery: Elkhorn South and Papio South know how to pass. Few teams in the state do it better. It’s hard to know where to start here. The two liberos might be a good choice. [player_tooltip player_id="58775" first="Estella" last="Zatechka"], a Missouri commit, was as fabulous as always, and [player_tooltip player_id="82578" first="Delanie" last="Vallinch"] is bound to end up at a great collegiate program next year. Both teams are not shy about using their talented corps of defensive specialists in serve receive. They’re not afraid to give them a few swings in the back row, either. I saw a handful of attacks from passing phenoms like [player_tooltip player_id="82593" first="Jeli" last="Petrovic"] and [player_tooltip player_id="82412" first="Harlei" last="Cole"] for Papio South, as well as [player_tooltip player_id="107715" first="Maddie" last="Henry"] for Elkhorn South. These rosters thrive on versatility.   The Roofing Company Effective blocking is often an indicator of a strong team. I saw two teams Thursday who knew how to put a lid on the net. The most intriguing rotational adjustment I noticed was the decision to slide Rylee Gray to opposite. Normally a shutdown middle, Gray was blocking and taking swings on the right pin in a couple of Elkhorn South’s three-hitter rotations. It really worked, as she was an intimidating force against Papio South’s left sides. [player_tooltip player_id="113130" first="Mia" last="Mroczek"] and [player_tooltip player_id="109670" first="Kaitlin" last="Thiebauth"] made sure to get in on the roofing action from the two middle spots. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Rylee Gray tips it down to give <a href="https://x.com/eshsvb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eshsvb</a> a 2-1 lead! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/nebpreps?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nebpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cozu9meGV7">pic.x.com/Cozu9meGV7</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1319434405153210369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Papio South had highlights of their own at the net, and it was actually led by [player_tooltip player_id="37529" first="Ava" last="LeGrand"] at setter. LeGrand is so disciplined in her technique, and she reads opposing setters well. [player_tooltip player_id="37536" first="Emma" last="O’Neill"], meanwhile, was stifling in the middle, and [player_tooltip player_id="59192" first="Stella" last="Adeyemi"] is a natural swing blocker on the left.   Setter’s Paradise I can’t mention all the D1 recruits in this match without bringing up the outstanding skill of both setters. The aforementioned LeGrand was not only steady in her delivery to her offensive weapons, but she gave the Storm fits with her setter dump. She’s always an attacking threat in the front row, and that causes chaos for opposing middle blockers. That’s part of the job for this future Kansas State Wildcat. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> TONS of offense from [player_tooltip player_id="37529" first="Ava" last="LeGrand"] at the setting position tonight for <a href="https://x.com/PLSouthTitanVb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PLSouthTitanVb</a>. <a href="https://t.co/7oMzQrt5wV">pic.x.com/7oMzQrt5wV</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1319426329197117440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="58781" first="Madi" last="Woodin"] also put together another great showing as she led the Storm to victory. She, too, has a deadly dump that she uses regardless of whether she’s in the front row. Woodin has a knack for setting against the grain, especially to her pipe hitters in the back row. There’s no doubt that this South Dakota commit is central to Elkhorn South’s success.   Ready for the Postseason! This last point is for everybody: it’s tournament season! I’m incredibly excited to cover the upcoming district and state tournaments we have in the next couple of weeks. Clearly, Elkhorn South and Papio South are ready. I’ll be checking out some other teams soon. And, of course, I’m ready, too.