Ten Nebraska Teams on a Late-Season Hot Streak
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It’s a theme we’ve mentioned a lot over the past few weeks. If there’s a good time for teams to peak in Nebraska’s high school season, it’s right now. As we inch ever closer to the postseason, some squads have…
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Continue ReadingIt’s a theme we’ve mentioned a lot over the past few weeks. If there’s a good time for teams to peak in Nebraska’s high school season, it’s right now.
As we inch ever closer to the postseason, some squads have made a late climb up the wildcard ladder with a string of quality wins. Today’s feature will examine ten teams that fit this description, and a few of these squads might earn a coveted spot in Lincoln this November. It’s crunch time.
Lincoln Pius X
The Thunderbolts have been making waves in what has turned out to be an incredibly strong year for Lincoln teams. Pius X found its stride in late September by sweeping through all five matches of the Rocket Classic at Lincoln Northeast. That was followed by a couple more wins against Fremont and Omaha Marian.
Pius X is led by 3.7 kills per set from do-everything middle blocker Faith Venable Faith Venable 6'1" | MB Lincoln Pius X | 2025 State NE . Outside hitters Ava Markowski Ava Markowski 5'10" | OH Lincoln Pius X | 2026 State NE and Keeleigh Knobbe Keeleigh Knobbe 5'11" | OH Lincoln Pius X | 2025 State NE are matching each other’s production and have gotten even more comfortable in recent weeks.
Omaha Westside
Westside is still in the Class A conversation after last year’s runner-up finish. The Warriors looked dominant in Oct. 7’s Millard South/Lincoln High Invite and have built on that success in more recent outings. That includes a pivotal five-set win in the Metro Conference Tournament.
The pin-hitting trio of Ashlyn Paymal Ashlyn Paymal 6'2" | RS Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE , Madeline Lamb Madeline Lamb 6'0" | OH Omaha Westside | 2026 State NE , and Tatum Godinez Tatum Godinez 5'11" | RS Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE has provided plenty of firepower for this year’s Warriors. Defensive specialist Jane Kubat Jane Kubat 5'6" | DS/L Omaha Westside | 2026 State NE is taking command of the backcourt, too.
Scottsbluff
Welcome to the party, Scottsbluff.
This panhandle crew capped September with a trio of wins against York, Arlington, and Raymond Central at the Raymond Central Invite. Perhaps that positive momentum fueled a huge five-set win over Crete on Oct. 10.
The Bearcat offense is led by a pair of seniors with Ella Foote Ella Foote 5'10" | MB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE and Paige Horne terminating at a high level. Taylor Hafeman is another veteran who has been stout in serve receive.
Adams Central
Here’s another powerhouse with a shot at another postseason bid. Adams Central is battled-tested after a 4-1 run through the Central Conference Tournament. That puts the Patriots’ overall October record at 8-1, which could be a good omen for district play.
Megyn Scott Megyn Scott 5'8" | OH Adams Central | 2024 State NE is pounding down 5.4 kills per set in her final year with the program. Adams Central’s second-leading scorer is Isabel DeJonge, who also has part-time duties at the setter spot.
Douglas County West
The Falcons are hoping to make it back-to-back. DC West has earned an eight-match win streak with sweeps through the Wisner Pilger Tournament and the Nebraska Capitol Conference bracket.
Aubree Liss Aubree Liss 5'10" | OH DC West | 2024 State NE has elevated her game on the pin this year alongside junior Jamison Badje Jamison Badje 5'7" | OH Douglas County West | 2025 NE . Kiya Johnson Kiya Johnson 6'1" | MB DC West | 2025 State NE anchors the middle. Don’t forget about that floor defense, either–that’s where Anna Borner Anna Borner 5'4" | DS/L DC West | 2024 State NE thrives.
Kearney Catholic
My in-person look at Kearney Catholic this year came at the annual Harvest Festival Invite in mid-September. The Stars haven’t lost since that weekend.
That amounts to a 16-match win streak through Kearney Catholic’s triangular wins against North Platte and Sidney. Perhaps the most head-turning outing was Kearney Catholic’s perfect run through the Centennial Conference Tournament, which included wins over Grand Island Central Catholic and Lincoln Lutheran.
This squad has enviable balance and true championship potential. Londyn Carnes Londyn Carnes 6'3" | MB Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE and Aibrey Mandernach Aibrey Mandernach 6'0" | MB Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE are flying high in their junior campaigns with sophomore middle blocker Payton Dzingle Payton Dzingle 5'9" | MB Kearney Catholic | 2025 State NE close behind. Ball control is also a strength with Maleigha Johnson Maleigha Johnson 5'7" | DS/L Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE at libero and Callie Squiers Callie Squiers 6'0" | S Kearney Catholic | 2024 State NE setting the offense.
Elmwood-Murdock
The Knights are finding that late-season rhythm again. A clean sweep through the East Central Nebraska Conference Tournament punctuates Elmwood-Murdock’s October surge, and the next two wins against Johnson County Central and Freeman might be even better.
Veteran pin hitter Jordan Vogler Jordan Vogler 5'7" | OH Elmwood-Murdock | 2024 State NE has eclipsed four kills per set this season. After that, you’re looking at a sophomore duo of Annie Backemeyer Annie Backemeyer 5'9" | MB Elmwood-Murdock | 2026 State NE and Brooke Goudie for frontcourt production. Tatum Backemeyer Tatum Backemeyer 5'4" | DS/L Elmwood-Murdock | 2024 State NE remains one of the state’s most consistent senior liberos, bolstering an Elmwood-Murdock defense that’s always solid.
Bruning-Davenport/Shickley
BDS is no stranger to the championship stage, so a late-season surge should be expected from this Class D1 powerhouse. The Eagles compiled a 17-match win streak in the middle of the season–without dropping a single set in any of those victories. That’s reason enough to be optimistic.
Hayley Sliva Hayley Sliva 5'11" | RS BDS | 2025 State NE and Campbell Bohling Campbell Bohling 5'9" | OH BDS | 2025 State NE have been incredibly consistent during BDS’s multi-year run. Physicality should be a major theme as this squad sets its sights on districts yet again.
Johnson-Brock
Johnson-Brock just battled through the Pioneer Conference Tournament to extend a winning streak that dates back to late September. The good times kept rolling this week with triangular triumphs over Falls City Sacred Heart and Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer.
Prolific scorers like Natalie Knippelmeyer and Taryn Ottemann Taryn Ottemann 6'0" | MB Johnson-Brock | 2025 State NE are keeping the Eagles’ operation moving. This vaunted frontcourt will be put to the test again in upcoming district contests.
Meridian
The Mustangs are back in a groove while looking for a repeat appearance in the state tournament. Meridian just swept through the Crossroads Conference Tournament and has a pair of impressive recent wins against Cross County.
Senior outside hitter Jalla Stewart is one of the most productive scorers in the state with 5.3 kills per set this season. She is accompanied by juniors McKenzie Hofstetter McKenzie Hofstetter 5'6" | MB Meridian | 2025 State NE and Jaylee Sobotka.