Nebraska’s Must-See Late-Season Matchups: Class C1 and C2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to expand our reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the home stretch of Nebraska's 2025 high school season, but we still have a laundry list of marquee matchups to keep tabs on. Yesterday's feature honed in on some <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/nebraskas-must-see-late-season-matchups-class-a-and-b/">Class A and Class B contests</a> that will have our attention through the rest of October. The list expands as we move to C1 and C2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wildcard implications abound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Pierce vs. Guardian Angels Central Catholic</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We might as well start with a Class C1-C2 crossover contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontrunners in these two classes frequently intermingle based on geography and long-standing series history. This means we're often treated to some elite C1-C2 showdowns, and this late-season bout fits the bill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pierce carries the banner for Class C1 and has become a constant title threat over the past few seasons. The Bluejays found their groove in mid-September, boasting a 17-6 overall record with three regular-season matches remaining. Junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='808069' first='Nora' last='Herian'] has returned to form with 5.3 kills per set, and Abbie Cone is not far behind with 3.7 terminations per set of her own. This is one of small-town Nebraska's best pin duos, which is often a good omen for postseason success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the Class C2 side, Guardian Angels Central Catholic is charting a clear path back to Lincoln after missing out on the big dance last fall. The 19-2 Bluejays wield a wicked combination of [player_tooltip player_id='737393' first='Bailey' last='Gerths'] and [player_tooltip player_id='809693' first='Juli' last='Ridder'] to produce a ruthlessly efficient offense. [player_tooltip player_id='814806' first='Kara' last='Ridder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='774922' first='Hailey' last='Kreikemeier'] have also broken through to give GACC balance in any rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect fireworks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minden vs. Holdrege</span></strong> - Thu. Oct 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a Top 5 Class C1 matchup that includes the two-time defending champs. We're locked in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even after winning a pair of state titles, Minden has managed to exceed expectations in 2025 by remaining elite with a new-look lineup. Senior all-around star [player_tooltip player_id='276201' first='Myla' last='Emery'] has been the vital constant with 5.4 kills per set to go along with her part-time setter role. Much of Emery's supporting cast has come from the Class of 2028, with [player_tooltip player_id='572605' first='Aly' last='Cederburg'], Kaleigh Carr, and Victoria Hansen leading the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holdrege has turned heads as the No. 4-ranked squad in the Class C1 wildcard race. The Dusters have received over three kills per set from [player_tooltip player_id='774622' first='Gracie' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807896' first='Carson' last='Sundquist'], and Johnson's 0.388 hitting percentage ranks among Nebraska's best. Senior standouts Addy Stutzman and [player_tooltip player_id='800361' first='Ellie' last='Pelster'] anchor the ball control phase, giving Holdrege the foundation for its electric frontcourt onslaught.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":732430,"width":"411px","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/5/2024/12/Alyse-Moulton.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-732430" style="width:411px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Moulton</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Omaha Concordia vs. Columbus Lakeview</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a compelling clash between eastern Nebraska's elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Concordia's ascent has been building for a while. The Mustangs have a scoring chart full of juniors and club teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='458125' first='Breckynn' last='Snyder'], [player_tooltip player_id='575155' first='Addie' last='Stater'], [player_tooltip player_id='512869' first='Alyse' last='Moulton'], and [player_tooltip player_id='521300' first='Grace' last='Samuelson'] have leveraged their chemistry from Club Legacy to lead Omaha Concordia to an exceptional 21-5 campaign. Sophomore middle-opposite [player_tooltip player_id='741552' first='Molly' last='Phillips'] has also locked down the net with this incredibly productive blocking lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are reaching higher and challenging Class B contender Columbus Lakeview. While this isn't a feature on Class B, we can't wait to see how the 21-3 Vikings perform with [player_tooltip player_id='298712' first='Katie' last='Rowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773366' first='Calli' last='Helms'] racking up big numbers on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ashland-Greenwood vs. Platteview</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We clearly have a lot to sort out in Class C1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stackup at the top of C1's wildcard chart gives us so many important contests to follow. No. 7 Platteview and No. 9 Ashland-Greenwood will spar for vital positioning on this leaderboard as the regular season reaches its final days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platteview has a wealth of recognizable names from our club coverage this spring. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='257188' first='Brooklyn' last='Stehlik'] sets the tone with 4.7 kills per set. [player_tooltip player_id='534457' first='Aubrie' last='Walz'] and Norah Haynes have also upped their scoring production, while Premier Nebraska gem [player_tooltip player_id='800497' first='Maddy' last='Stukenholtz'] has stepped up for the backcourt. It's a complete crew for the 21-3 Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashland-Greenwood has the talent to counter. [player_tooltip player_id='808247' first='Sydney' last='Schram'] and [player_tooltip player_id='276206' first='Marley' last='Glock'] have combined for six kills per set to give the Bluejays some exceptional senior leadership on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='737370' first='Averi' last='Bridges'] and [player_tooltip player_id='575218' first='Avery' last='Whaley'] also bring tons of high-level club experience to Ashland-Greenwood's formidable floor defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which star-studded lineup prevails?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Freeman vs. Elmwood-Murdock</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's plenty of Class C2 tournament pedigree to be found in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman and Elmwood-Murdock are no strangers to the Lincoln spotlight, so you could have tabbed this as a big match in the preseason. Still, this will be a vital "positioning" matchup between two teams in slightly different wildcard spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman sits firmly in C2's top tier with a 19-3 overall mark. Upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='184283' first='Alicia' last='Johansen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521297' first='Reagan' last='Rinne'] have been the go-to hitters for sensational sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='575063' first='Aniston' last='Bartunek']. [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] representation expands with [player_tooltip player_id='800259' first='Addison' last='Kastanek'] thriving in the libero spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, Elmwood-Murdock likely sees this contest as a launching point to a late-season climb. The Knights are just outside C2's Top 10 but have the lineup needed for a late charge. [player_tooltip player_id='396764' first='Annie' last='Backemeyer'] has been unstoppable in the front row alongside fellow attackers [player_tooltip player_id='807880' first='Brooke' last='Goudie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758051' first='Ayzlee' last='Haertel']. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='747550' first='Lucy' last='Backemeyer'] at the setter spot, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->