Nebraska’s Early Undefeateds Making Moves in 2025 Season (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far, so good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every fall, a handful of Nebraska's top teams start the season strong while avoiding blemishes in the loss column. An opening hot streak can be the precursor to a special season, especially among squads looking for a breakthrough berth in the state tournament. Today's feature will cover both sides of the spectrum: powerhouses and upstart programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a glimpse at the players and teams capturing our attention while piling up the wins in early-season action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Southwest</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Hawks have become a perennial postseason contender and produced a huge triumph for the Star City during 2023's championship run. This season could keep the good times rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LSW has taken down Class A foes Norfolk, Millard North, and Kearney en route to the 3-0 start. Senior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='349455' first='Alivia' last='Gustafson'] has built on her outstanding club campaign and leads the Silver Hawks with 3.7 kills per set. Her progression between pin positions during her prep career has culminated in a massive senior surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774910' first='Emma' last='Rink'] and [player_tooltip player_id='838775' first='Suzie' last='Riggins'] have also enjoyed terminal starts to the 2025 season. They're accompanied by a stout ball control group led by veteran setter [player_tooltip player_id='251144' first='Ellie' last='Eckman'] and sophomore defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='774698' first='Taryn' last='Weigel'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln North Star</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're staying in the Star City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln North Star is out to prove that last year's Class A tournament entrance was no fluke. The Navigators are 6-0 and fresh off a clean sweep at Saturday's Millard West Invite, toppling Fremont, South Dakota's Bishop O'Gorman, and the hosting Wildcats to claim the event's title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you followed this spring's [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 16 Black team, you'll recognize the top performers on this North Star roster. The Navigators have a trio of juniors atop their score sheet with [player_tooltip player_id='807924' first='Elsie' last='Schmidt'], [player_tooltip player_id='521266' first='Lauren' last='McKernan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='458167' first='Delainey' last='Volkmer'] leading the charge. [player_tooltip player_id='774919' first='Marie' last='Paneitz'], a 2028 libero who played up a year with 16 Black, has anchored North Star's backcourt defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year-round cohesion is yielding early returns for the 'Gators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":722606,"width":"475px","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/5/2024/11/IMG_4107.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722606" style="width:475px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lincoln North Star competes in the 2024 Class A state tournament.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lincoln Pius X</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wait, we're <em>still</em> in Lincoln?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Pius X had a lot of pieces to replace from last year's team that reached the Class B quarterfinals, but that hasn't stopped the Thunderbolts from logging a 5-0 start in 2025. The crux of this winning streak was the team's stay at the LNE Blastoff Tournament, where Pius X defeated North Platte, Lincoln Northeast, Omaha Westview, and Gretna East. The 'Bolts also claimed an impressive 3-1 win over Class A foe Papillion-La Vista.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='830000' first='Ava' last='Markowski'] is back in action with 4.1 kills per set to guide the offense. This is a veteran-laden group with [player_tooltip player_id='518588' first='McKenzie' last='Becker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828557' first='Hayden' last='Harnisch'] also racking up kills from the senior class. Middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='591585' first='Millie' last='Andreasen'] and Ofeleia Ramirez Rousseau have been efficient, and the ball control of Kami Wemhoff ensures these middles receive plenty of opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A momentous Tuesday tilt with Omaha Skutt Catholic is next on the schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Waverly</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not venturing far from Lincoln for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's prep volleyball enthusiasts are likely not surprised to see Waverly rolling early. The Vikings returned a host of impactful juniors this fall, including setter [player_tooltip player_id='458165' first='McKinley' last='Moser'], libero [player_tooltip player_id='521256' first='Emmalyn' last='Quinn'], and the Lauenstein duo on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='458124' first='Gracie' last='Lauenstein'] has been particularly dominant through early play with 4.3 kills per set, while Quinn has stepped up in the back row with 4.6 digs per set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waverly started with a four-set homestand over Lincoln Lutheran and has only dropped one set since. A trip to the Beatrice Invite yielded wins over Grand Island Northwest, Elkhorn, and Lincoln Northwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minden</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-time defending champs are eyeing a three-peat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minden enters a new era following the graduation of several transformative athletes, including Wayne State enrollee Mattie Kamery. Still, the Whippets can lean on game-changing senior [player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'], who has produced a whopping 5.5 kills per set so far this year. And, like Kamery, Emery can run the offense as a setter if needed. Rising sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='572605' first='Aly' last='Cederburg'] and Kaleigh Carr have also produced highlight moments in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Whippets have only dropped one set this year while playing a busy seven-match schedule as of this article's publication.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kearney Catholic</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quality wins abound for the Stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearney Catholic started the year with a four-set win over Scotus Central Catholic before setting its sights on a season-opening triangular. Victories over Aquinas Catholic and Hastings St. Cecilia added to an impressive early-season resume.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one-two punch of [player_tooltip player_id='832720' first='Hazel' last='Haarberg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809818' first='Natalee' last='Wright'] has anchored an explosive, efficient Kearney Catholic offense. Wright is hitting at a gaudy 0.444 clip, and junior middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='812669' first='Danielle' last='Seim'] is not far behind at 0.423. Liv Mandernach and Roslyn Krohn deserve credit for co-opting the setter spot to help produce these percentages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->