Class A’s Top Three Contenders Clash at Allison Weston Invite

It was a perfect storm at this year's Allison Weston Invitational.

Friday's pool play at this annual tournament yielded three top teams for Saturday morning's action: Papillion-La Vista South, Omaha Westside, and Lincoln Southwest. Conveniently, this trio also sat 1-2-3 in the Class A wildcard standings heading into the weekend. These are three title contenders, and Saturday's matches demonstrated just how evenly matched they are.

Before we get into the finer details and standout players, let's give a quick rundown of the trends, storylines, and happenings from the Top 3 faceoff at Papio High.

Going the Distance...From Beginning to End

All three matches in Saturday's round robin went to a tiebreaking third set. We got as much volleyball as possible from these postseason frontrunners.

Lincoln Southwest struck first with a Set 1 victory over Papillion-La Vista South. The defending Class A champions bring a new-look lineup to the 2024 season but have not wavered against elite foes. The Silver Hawks were looking for vengeance after dropping a prior contest against Papio South at the LPS Classic.

Of course, the Titans forged a response. This elite program is likely approaching this season with extra motivation after falling in last year's Class A quarterfinals as the top seed. Papio South soared ahead to a 25-17 win to even the match with LSW.

Extended serving runs and streaky moments defined most of Saturday's play at the Allison Weston Invite. One team would build a sizable lead before tough serving on the other side of the net closed the gap. That was a theme of Set 3 between Papio South and LSW as each team held multiple leads in the final frame. Eventually, Papio South scraped together a 25-23 triumph to swipe the opening match.

LSW returned to the floor to face Omaha Westside in Match 2. Fatigue might have been a factor for LSW after the opening gauntlet, especially as Westside raced to a 25-16 win in Set 1. However, the Silver Hawks showed their resilient attitude in Set 2 and claimed a 25-23 victory to extend the match.

We got more bonus volleyball in Set 3 as both teams exchanged huge serving runs en route to a deuce conclusion. Westside notched the final ace for a 28-26 breakthrough.

This set up a winner-take-all finale between Omaha Westside and Papio South. No. 1 versus No. 2.

The Warriors found an early groove similar to their contest against LSW. A pin-heavy attack yielded a 25-18 victory as Westside got within a set of the Allison Weston Invite title.

You know the pattern by now. Papillion-La Vista South's ball control and transition offense reemerged in Set 2 after a slow start to the frame. The Titans erased Westside's early lead and pulled away to a 25-20 triumph. This is what we ought to get between these two squads.

Vengeance was on the table for Westside. In one prior meeting with Papio South, the Titans locked up a 2-0 sweep at the season-opening Bellevue West Invite. The Warriors would not be denied this time.

Omaha Westside claimed the Allison Weston Invite crown with a 25-18 win in the final stanza.

Making The Case

This invitational gave us an intimate look at these three teams' strengths and virtues. Let's make a case for each squad's championship potential.

Omaha Westside has been the model of consistency over the past few years. Even when faced with injury-riddled periods, the Warriors have mustered enough cohesive play to remain a title contender. This resolve shows up in Westside's postseason history, as the Warriors have reached the Class A semifinals in each of the last three seasons. Now, Westside has wins over two of their biggest obstacles to the postseason crown.

Why not LSW? The Silver Hawks finally broke through to last year's historic state title, so this program has already seen the mountaintop. One state title is often the precursor to many more, especially in a Class A field full of long-standing dynasties. We'll talk in depth about Southwest's new lineup this year, but it's a group talented enough to go the distance.

Redemption. That has to be the mantra for Papio South after last fall's upset loss in the Class A tournament. Sure, some transformative stars from that team have graduated. But, with any of these volleyball powerhouses, it's all about reloading. The Titans have done that and maintained their spot atop the Class A wildcard standings. Another tournament appearance is surely on the horizon, and the team will be eager to make amends for 2023.