2024 Season Recap: Teams Building Positive Momentum for Next Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're allowed to look back and ahead simultaneously, right?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's high school season always gives us a diverse group of breakout teams and emerging programs. The 2024 campaign was no different, and we're already using observations from this year's club season to identify surging squads for 2025. Momentum is a real thing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here are a few squads to keep on your radar when looking for the next group of prep contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs were a persistent force in this year's Class A race. The team scored marquee wins over teams like Waverly and Omaha Westside while hovering around Class A's top tier in the wildcard standings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 could offer a chance to make the next step. Millard North wielded a pair of dynamic pair of underclassmen at middle blocker this year, so look out for Soso Marin and Norah Todd in future seasons. We're also looking for seasoned pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='518581' first='Taylor' last='Elsasser'] to provide senior leadership for next year's stacked lineup, and [player_tooltip player_id='521293' first='Tre'sor' last='Porter'] looks poised to take a leading role, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grand Island Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GI Northwest looked like a motivated team after missing out on the 2023 tournament, ending a decades-long streak of postseason trips. The Vikings were tripped up in this year's district finals by a powerhouse Bennington program, but that won't deter the central Nebraska dynasty from rising again in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='593775' first='Ava' last='Janulewicz'] was a revelation for the Vikings. She set a high bar with 3.5 kills per set this year, but Janulewicz can clear that mark as she becomes the unquestioned leader next fall. Kenna Bowman will return to set the offense, and we're eager to see what she can accomplish in the upcoming club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holdrege</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holdrege is another squad that fell just short in a district final bout during this year's postseason. The Dusters finished eighth in a stacked wildcard race in Class C1, and there's reason to expect a repeat performance next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 attacker [player_tooltip player_id='582873' first='Carson' last='Sundquist'] led the Dusters with 3.3 kills per set this fall. She was accompanied by fellow junior Emily Stutzman, who finished third on the team in hitting efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball control should remain a focal point of next year's Holdrege squad. Dynamic defender [player_tooltip player_id='396769' first='Ellie' last='Pelster'] returns to anchor the libero spot, giving the team its top three diggers from the 2024 squad. This core group will have a say in whether the Dusters can make up for this year's narrow district defeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":576610,"width":"320px","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/5/2024/07/76-Kathryn-VanSkiver.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-576610" style="width:320px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">VanSkiver</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hastings St. Cecilia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's tough to argue against the momentum of a team coming off a state tournament appearance. Still, we didn't know if this would be the year for a big Bluehawk breakthrough. A district final upset over Humphrey-Lindsay secured that tournament bid, and St. Cecilia battled hard in the quarterfinal matchup against eventual champion Lincoln Lutheran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Future optimism for St. Cecilia is centered in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='396732' first='Payton' last='Sullivan'] and Nathie Krikac returning for one more season in 2025. The senior group will also be anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='464659' first='Kathryn' last='VanSkiver'], a veteran setter who made serious gains as 2024 waned. Next year's objective is to prove that the 2024 tournament appearance was no fluke, and the prospects look good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nebraska Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska Christian was one of the top wildcard performers to miss this year's state tournament. The Eagles finished fourth in the Class D1 hierarchy but were tripped up by Diller-Odell in a five-set district final gauntlet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 season will feature one of the program's most exceptional senior classes. [player_tooltip player_id='275966' first='Sheridan' last='Falk'] had a terminal junior campaign and led Nebraska Christian with 3.6 kills per set. Aside from Falk, the Eagles also leaned on experienced setter-hitter [player_tooltip player_id='275965' first='Taytum' last='Perdew'] to produce three kills per set and a wealth of assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Younger contributors are also due to return. 2027 attacker [player_tooltip player_id='735067' first='Kadeya' last='Sanborn'] led Nebraska Christian in hitting efficiency. Emma Rathjen will lead the defense, and Class of 2028 setter [player_tooltip player_id='571950' first='Adeline' last='Hunnicutt'] was proficient as Nebraska Christian's starting setter. It's all coming together for a redemption tour.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->