Nebraska Teams Looking for Breakout Tourney Appearances (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're due for plenty of new faces at this year's state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier, we covered a handful of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/09/nebraska-teams-looking-for-breakout-tourney-appearances-pt-1/">Class A, B, and C1</a> teams on the cusp of a breakthrough appearance at this year's state tournament. In this feature, we're applying the same theme to the other three classes, and many more new contenders have emerged.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the next wave of small-town upstarts.</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><strong>Current record: 16-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 2018</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman has seen a fair amount of volleyball success throughout its history, including a Class C2 title in 2014. Ten years later, the Falcons have another championship-contending team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 16-1 squad is anchored by a wicked combination of ball control and frontcourt termination. [player_tooltip player_id='189902' first='Ruby' last='Goes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='184299' first='Anna' last='Johansen'] have been outstanding backcourt contributors throughout their prep careers. This has also given rise to high-flying hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='342578' first='Rilyn' last='Otto'] and [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen']. This core group of veterans has performed well in pressure situations, and it might culminate in tournament glory this fall.</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><strong>Current record: 15-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 2017</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkhorn Valley is lurking in a jam-packed C2 wildcard race. The Falcons are 15-4 with big wins against St. Paul, Howells-Dodge, and Elgin/Pope John, among many others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='462565' first='JJ' last='Black'] remains a stat-stuffing machine. She is averaging 3.4 kills per set while also leading Elkhorn Valley's blocking totals by a wide margin. New faces have emerged around the dial with [player_tooltip player_id='735276' first='Cameron' last='Rutjens'] and Skyler Tegeler finding their attacking groove this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More wildcard opportunities are on the way with Humphrey-Lindsay and Pierce left on the schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kenesaw</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current record: 14-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 2004</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenesaw's last tournament appearance is also its only postseason volleyball trip in school history. The Blue Devils hope to rewrite the record books and are on the cusp of Class D1's top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='498998' first='Sophia' last='Schukei'] has been one of many reliable scorers for Kenesaw. We've also seen Mady Ciemnoczolowski emerge as a weapon through her serving and backcourt defense. Don't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='582874' first='McKinnley' last='Kroos']' physical presence, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Devils are looking forward to several high-profile matches down the stretch, including meetings with BDS and Shelton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wauneta-Palisade</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current record: 9-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 2005</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wauneta-Palisade wraps up our Class D1 discussion. The Broncos are deadlocked with Kenesaw in the latest wildcard update, and there's more to gain with October's tough slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team is "co-led" by Lilly Dinnel and Izzy Stehno, both of whom chip in with around 2.5 kills per set apiece. Wauneta-Palisade's defense highlights its strong sophomore class, as Kenzie Bardsley and [player_tooltip player_id='875195' first='Emma' last='Acton'] have both eclipsed four digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Loomis</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current record: 12-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 1994</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while. Loomis has been outside the tournament field for the past 20 years but has new life in 2024. The Wolves have roamed in the top eight of D2's wildcard standings, putting the team in a good spot for district seeding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman middle blocker Ella Ellsworth has been a revelation and paces the field with 2.2 kills per set. Veteran leadership is also present with Jorjanna High and [player_tooltip player_id='253906' first='Autumn' last='Holt'] upping their efficiency numbers. Loomis has used this balance to score marquee wins over Cambridge, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, and Wauneta-Palisade. The wildcard standings have reflected that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're keeping an eye on Loomis' Oct. 10 double dip with Overton and Ansley/Litchfield. Amherst is another top-tier foe left on the schedule, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Leyton</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current record: 19-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last tournament appearance: 2013</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One way to build optimism after a decade-long postseason drought is to go undefeated. Leyton sits at 19-0 and third in the Class D2 wildcard hierarchy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We covered the Warriors in our recent feature on <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/09/mid-september-check-in-with-nebraskas-undefeated-teams-part-2/">Nebraska's remaining undefeated teams</a>. This squad gets big numbers around the entire frontcourt, giving Leyton multiple ways to take down its opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='728392' first='Shawnee' last='Gamble'] leads the charge with three kills per set, but senior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='728397' first='Sydney' last='Fortune'] tops the efficiency category at 0.344. [player_tooltip player_id='731681' first='Macey' last='Roelle'] and Riley Jones are also hovering around two kills per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leyton still has some obstacles to clear en route to an unblemished regular season. The Warriors will see its toughest tests against Sandhills/Thedford and Garden County during the October grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->