Which Nebraska Teams Exceeded Expectations in 2024 Opening Week?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've just released our Week 2 class-by-class team rankings, and several squads are on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overachieving teams have been a frequent discussion topic during our early-season high school coverage. In case you missed it, we've already covered some small-town teams that are worth your attention after strong starts. That discussion is about to expand in today's feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's add to the list of under-the-radar squads making moves in 2024's first few matches. Some of these squads can be found in our new rankings, while others are on the cusp of joining the Top 10. Either way, we sense a bit of excitement surrounding these groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fremont</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by Fremont's hot start. The Tigers brought back a wealth of talented players, including superstar outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='155050' first='Mattie' last='Dalton']. Dalton is back to her mind-numbing production while also getting assistance from [player_tooltip player_id='516736' first='Makenna' last='Meyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='516733' first='Katie' last='Proskovec'] along the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fremont started with a win over Columbus and followed it with some Omaha-area triumphs. The Tigers recently traveled down to the Star City and logged a three-set sweep over Lincoln Northeast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">York</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can't forget about York in the chaotic Class B gauntlet. The Dukes bring back seasoned outside hitters like Chloe Koch and [player_tooltip player_id='462564' first='Cynley' last='Wilkinson'], who have each started 2024 with three kills per set. They're joined by [player_tooltip player_id='572604' first='Harley' last='Wardyn'], a high-flying freshman opposite tied for the team lead in terminations per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>York hasn't dropped a set through its first four matches. The team's most recent triumphs have come against solid regional foes like Platteview and Aurora.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":623946,"width":"394px","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/5/2024/09/IMG_4166-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-623946" style="width:394px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Class of 2024 outside hitter Paige Frickenstein was a major part of Archbishop Bergan's recent success.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Battle Creek</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battle Creek keeps lurking in the small-town scene. The Class C1 competitors have tabbed two Class A victories over Omaha Northwest and Omaha South. Their lone blemish came against Fremont--a team we just discussed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves are leaning on their veteran leadership this year. Sami Wemhoff is generating three and a half kills per set in her final prep campaign. Senior pin attacker Sophie Humphrey is not far behind. Humphrey is also embracing her role as a part-time setter, and Sydney Kuchar is also seeing action at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elkhorn Valley</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On to Class C2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkhorn Valley has seen strong starts in recent seasons, and 2024 is no exception. The Falcons opened the year by taking down West Holt and Summerland in a triangular double dip. This was the prelude to a thrilling Tuesday matchup in which Elkhorn Valley scored a five-set road win over O'Neill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='462565' first='JJ' last='Black'] remains the dominant force for the Falcons. She has been one of Nebraska's most productive blockers over the past few years, but she's also adding 4.4 kills per set to her ledger. Freshman setter Kyndal Werner has done well to feed the ball to her standout attacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Archbishop Bergan</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archbishop Bergan lost some firepower from last year's squad. Outside hitter Paige Frickenstein was a do-everything athlete who engineered multiple postseason appearances with the Knights. Now, she's at Midland University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class C2 powerhouse has managed to maintain its winning form with a 4-0 start in 2024. Bergan triumphed in long battles with Roncalli Catholic, Lincoln Christian, and West Point-Beemer. The wins didn't come easily, but the Knights have reestablished themselves in a deep C2 race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore attacker [player_tooltip player_id='458128' first='Peyton' last='Langhorst'] is a name to watch for Bergan. She is accompanied by fellow 2027s [player_tooltip player_id='735210' first='Reagan' last='Cansler'] and Zoe Janke in the ball control phase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Homer</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Homer is part of a huge logjam of Class C2 teams vying for wildcard positioning. The Knights have started the journey strong with a 4-0 start and zero set losses along the way. This early effort includes outright victories in triangulars hosted by Cedar Catholic and Walthill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Veteran pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='462570' first='Tori' last='Walker'] has ascended Nebraska's scoring leaderboards with 4.6 kills per set so far. She is also terminating at a 0.351 clip while pitching in a team-leading eight aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Garden County</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's wrap up in Class D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a dramatic five-set win over Crawford to open the 2024 campaign, Garden County got a double dose of victory against Hay Springs and Banner County. Hay Springs was tabbed as a team to watch in our preseason rankings, so we're marking this as an important victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles are getting balanced scoring from upperclassman attackers Payton Fornander and [player_tooltip player_id='464898' first='Ridglyn' last='Stanczyk']. Both are logging over two kills per set and are also the top two in the efficiency column.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->