Nebraska Teams Gaining Steam in Week 4 Team Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The revolving door keeps spinning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already seen remarkable parity during Nebraska's 2024 high school season and still have a long way to go. Our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/09/2024-nebraska-class-by-class-high-school-rankings-week-4/">Week 4 class-by-class team rankings</a> reflect some of this chaos with new squads joining the mix. So, let's give some credit to the rising contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few notable teams climbing the hierarchy in their respective classes.</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:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are starting to find their sky-high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard North makes its debut in the Class A Top 10 after a monumental Tuesday upset over top-ranked Omaha Westside. We've known this squad has the talent to push the state's top teams, and it might be coming together at the right time. Millard North also has impressive wins over Waverly and Bellevue West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upperclassman pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='173518' first='Rilyn' last='Gish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='518581' first='Taylor' last='Elsasser'] have led the scoring chart for the Mustangs. However, a pair of young stars are leading in the efficiency category with Norah Todd and Soso Marin becoming lethal frontcourt forces. Of course, we also have to hone in on [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173528' first='Brylee' last='Nelsen'], the anchors for Millard North's ball control unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How far can the Mustangs climb? Millard North has broken into the top eight and has more to gain in the next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Sidney</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sidney has been a frequent postseason contender over the past several years. The Red Raiders are lurking again in the Class B race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nebraska panhandle powerhouse has improved to 8-3 behind a four-match winning streak against Ainsworth, Chadron, Bridgeport, and Alliance. The kill column features co-leaders with Kierra Schrader and [player_tooltip player_id='735178' first='Reagan' last='Nesbitt'] tallying 2.8 kills per set apiece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sidney is also propelled by senior [player_tooltip player_id='173531' first='Kayla' last='Westby'] and her astonishing backcourt totals. Westby put up double-digit digs in each of her first five matches of the season, including a 25-dig effort against Ogallala. That leadership could bring Sidney closer to the Lincoln long haul trip in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Scotus Central Catholic</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the Scotus resurgence. The 15-time state champions have been eager to get back to Lincoln, and that breakthrough could come in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shamrocks are currently 9-2 and have resume-building victories over Pierce, Malcolm, David City, Norfolk Catholic, and Kearney Catholic. This barnstorming campaign has been led by senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='578476' first='Mallory' last='Dreesen'], who has piled up 3.4 kills per set on a 0.224 clip. Scotus also finds balance through other seniors like [player_tooltip player_id='578480' first='Larkyn' last='Mahoney'] and Adrianna Kush.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior libero Kayla Hoffman anchors the defense with an outstanding 5.6 digs per set. The Shamrocks have soared to the No. 2 spot in the Class C1 wildcard standings behind Minden, the defending champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Columbus Lakeview</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Never overlook the Vikings. Columbus Lakeview has ascended to the No. 4 position in the Class C1 wildcard standings, setting the stage for another tournament appearance in the school's expansive tally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman attacker [player_tooltip player_id='737378' first='Jaelyn' last='Mejstrik'] has burst onto the scene with 2.7 kills per set. Returning veterans like [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='486918' first='Rallie' last='Boyer'] are not far behind, giving Lakeview a pin-to-pin onslaught that's tough to stop. We found that out during the Vikings's four-match stint against Pierce, York, Stanton, and Crofton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Freeman</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 could bring redemption for Freeman after the Falcons came up just short of last year's tournament. Freeman has resumed its winning ways with a 12-1 mark and a major recent win over Johnson County Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman boasts a ton of ball-control prowess with [player_tooltip player_id='189902' first='Ruby' last='Goes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='184299' first='Anna' last='Johansen'] locking down the end line. This gives ample attacking opportunities to [player_tooltip player_id='342578' first='Rilyn' last='Otto'] and [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen'], and they're sure to capitalize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":663256,"width":"366px","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_9190-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-663256" style="width:366px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wynot competes in the 2023 NSAA State Volleyball Championships.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wynot</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps another tournament appearance is in the works?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils brought a veteran lineup to last year's tournament but haven't lost momentum a year later. Wynot is buoyed by seasoned front-row hitters like Addison Pineklman and [player_tooltip player_id='497421' first='Kenna' last='Oligmueller'], both of whom captured our attention in Lincoln last November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wynot is 6-1 with recent triumphs over Winside, Creighton, and Bloomfield. This has placed the Blue Devils in the No. 7 spot in Class D2's wildcard race--good enough for another postseason charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->