Ten Nebraska Teams on a Late-Season Hot Streak

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Pius X</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pius X is led by 3.7 kills per set from do-everything middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='189362' first='Faith' last='Venable']. Outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='276212' first='Ava' last='Markowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='462567' first='Keeleigh' last='Knobbe'] are matching each other's production and have gotten even more comfortable in recent weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1705629100914942295?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1705629100914942295?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Westside</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pin-hitting trio of [player_tooltip player_id='155047' first='Ashlyn' last='Paymal'], [player_tooltip player_id='253928' first='Madeline' last='Lamb'], and [player_tooltip player_id='124775' first='Tatum' last='Godinez'] has provided plenty of firepower for this year's Warriors. Defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='396746' first='Jane' last='Kubat'] is taking command of the backcourt, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Scottsbluff</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the party, Scottsbluff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcat offense is led by a pair of seniors with [player_tooltip player_id='253914' first='Ella' last='Foote'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492308' first='Paige' last='Horne'] terminating at a high level. Taylor Hafeman is another veteran who has been stout in serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Adams Central</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='172608' first='Megyn' last='Scott'] 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Douglas County West</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='104977' first='Aubree' last='Liss'] has elevated her game on the pin this year alongside junior [player_tooltip player_id='486917' first='Jamison' last='Badje']. [player_tooltip player_id='173522' first='Kiya' last='Johnson'] anchors the middle. Don't forget about that floor defense, either--that's where [player_tooltip player_id='104976' first='Anna' last='Borner'] thrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kearney Catholic</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad has enviable balance and true championship potential. [player_tooltip player_id='256642' first='Londyn' last='Carnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172601' first='Aibrey' last='Mandernach'] are flying high in their junior campaigns with sophomore middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='269911' first='Payton' last='Dzingle'] close behind. Ball control is also a strength with [player_tooltip player_id='393555' first='Maleigha' last='Johnson'] at libero and [player_tooltip player_id='393535' first='Callie' last='Squiers'] setting the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1702771499298337067?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1702771499298337067?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elmwood-Murdock</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='212050' first='Jordan' last='Vogler'] has eclipsed four kills per set this season. After that, you're looking at a sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497400' first='Brooke' last='Goudie'] for frontcourt production. [player_tooltip player_id='124779' first='Tatum' last='Backemeyer'] remains one of the state's most consistent senior liberos, bolstering an Elmwood-Murdock defense that's always solid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bruning-Davenport/Shickley</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='380823' first='Hayley' last='Sliva'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342619' first='Campbell' last='Bohling'] 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Johnson-Brock</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prolific scorers like Natalie Knippelmeyer and [player_tooltip player_id='155057' first='Taryn' last='Ottemann'] are keeping the Eagles' operation moving. This vaunted frontcourt will be put to the test again in upcoming district contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Meridian</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id='462578' first='McKenzie' last='Hofstetter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='728384' first='Jaylee' last='Sobotka'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->