Preseason Team Rankings: Class D-2

<p>Hampton and its dominance on its way to a perfect season and state title was the story of 2016 in Class D-2. To say the script has changed as we enter the 2017 season would be an understatement of epic proportions.</p> <p>The positive to having a core of five seniors leading the Hawks to a 35-0 season in which it swept it opponents 34 times is being one of the greatest Class D-2 teams of all time. The negative comes this year with the slate – and roster – being swept clean for Hampton which opens the door to a wide-open Class D-2 race in 2017.</p> <p>There is no definitive favorite in Class D-2, but if anyone is prepared to replace Hampton atop the standings, it’s the team that ended the 2015 season on top…..</p> <p><strong>Class D-2</strong></p> <p>1. Exeter-Milligan – The Timberwolves followed-up their 2015 state title by going 28-5 with a third-place finish in 2016. The difficult task for Exeter-Milligan will be replacing setter <strong>Sydney Hall</strong> and all-around stud <strong>Hailey Luzum</strong>, but coach Darcy White has plenty of talent left over from a year ago. Junior <strong>Katherine White</strong>, who will be one of the top all-around players in D-2, and senior <strong>Hannah Beethe</strong> give the Timberwolves an outstanding 1-2 punch.</p> <p>2. Riverside – Hampton put an end to Riverside’s season in the district finals last year, but the Chargers look to carry over the momentum of that 22-10 season into this year. It also helps that Riverside returns four of its top five attackers from a year ago in seniors <strong>Becky Schmeits, Maddie Walkowiak</strong> and <strong>Grace Schalk</strong> and junior <strong>Morgan Haschke</strong>. If the Chargers can find a new setter to replace <strong>Baylee Wlaschin</strong> they should be one of the deepest and best teams in D-2.</p> <p>3. Red Cloud – The Warriors had a breakout year in 2016, reaching the state tournament for the first time in program history and finishing 25-5 after falling to Hampton in the quarterfinals. <strong>Morgan Nibbe</strong>, the #26 Class of 2018 prospect, is back after leading the team in kills as is her junior sister <strong>Mary Nibbe</strong>, the #10 prospect for 2019. Ultimately, though, it’s the development of seniors <strong>Jocelyn Shipman</strong> and <strong>Kiara Uhrich</strong> along with juniors <strong>Julia Shipman</strong> and <strong>Hannah Vance</strong> that determines if Red Cloud simply returns to state or is a threat to win it.</p> <p>4. Axtell – Axtell had a 2-1 lead on Red Cloud in the subdistrict finals a year ago before the Warriors came back to win sets four and five and end the Longhorns’ season at 25-4. Yes, Axtell has a lot to replace, but the Longhorns return enough to make for another successful season. <strong>Caitilin Callan</strong> is back for her senior season after having 166 kills a year ago and junior <strong>Camielle Fishell</strong> added 128 kills last season and will lead the way for Axtell in 2017.</p> <p>5. CWC – Losing <strong>Jacie Laetsch</strong> certainly hurts CWC – which went 23-8 and finished fourth in Class D-2 last season – but the Renegades will be strong again in 2017. Sophomore <strong>Taylor Peter</strong> is one of the best small-school setters in the state and junior <strong>Jordan Laetsch</strong> is the heir-apparent to replace Jacie as the team’s best all-around player.</p> <p>6. Elwood – The Knights return five key pieces from last year’s squad that went 18-12 and lost to Red Cloud in the district championship match and is primed for a shot at its first-ever state volleyball tournament berth in 2017. Senior <strong>Felicia Knoerzer</strong> returns after registering 360 kills and 462 digs in 2016. Junior <strong>Baylee Diefenbaugh</strong> and sophomore <strong>Hadley Martin</strong> each had over 100 kills last season and senior setter <strong>Manon Martin</strong> also returns.</p> <p>7. Anselmo-Merna – It’s been 45 years since Anselmo-Merna’s only appearance at the state volleyball tournament in 1972, but the Coyotes cold have one of their best teams in several years. After going 19-10 a year ago, Anselmo-Merna returns kill leader in senior <strong>Megan Christen</strong> and three other proven players in senior <strong>Jalea Chandler</strong> and juniors <strong>Taylan Myers</strong> and <strong>Kourtney Safranek</strong>.</p> <p>8. Sandhills-Thedford – After starting last season winning 14 of its first 16 matches, Sandhills-Thedford stumbled down the stretch, going just 6-6 in its final 12 matches and falling in the first round of subdistricts to Anselmo-Merna. It’s a big season for 6’2 junior <strong>Marlee Taylor</strong>, as the Knights need her to be as consistently dominant as she can be. Senior <strong>Hannah Higgins</strong> returns as setter.</p> <p>9. Potter-Dix – The Coyotes have gone a combined 58-4 the past two regular seasons combined, but have been swept in the first round of the state tournament both years. Potter-Dix should again have a very successful season behind seniors <strong>Audrey Juelfs</strong> and <strong>Trinity Langley</strong> but the Coyotes struggle to get good competition to help prepare them for the postseason in their remote part of the state.</p> <p>10. Wauneta-Palisade – The Broncos are the only team to have a losing record last year and be included in the D-2 rankings this season. Wauneta-Palisade lost just one senior and, most importantly, has 6-foot senior Faith Simpson to lead its attack.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong> Giltner, Humphrey St. Francis, Hyannis.</p>