Nebraska’s Must-See Late-Season Matchups: Class D1 and D2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's bring this to the small-town scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've spent the past couple of days highlighting some upcoming contests with major wildcard implications. District play is on the horizon, but teams are still looking to gain ground through the home stretch of the regular season. And, aside from the wildcard impact, high-level October contests provide an opportunity for squads to hone their skills and peak at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class D1 and D2 have their share of compelling clashes to follow over the next few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Morrill vs. Hay Springs</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of our prior features in this series have started with a "crossover" contest with frontrunners from two different classes. Let's keep the trend going--for the entire feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first D1-D2 meeting features Morrill and Hay Springs, two teams in the top ten of their respective classes. Morrill has climbed to No. 4 in the D1 hierarchy and has a wealth of juniors to lean on at every position. [player_tooltip player_id='731668' first='Katelyn' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='817004' first='Mersaydez' last='Carrizales'], and Madisyn Carrizales make up the leading trio of terminators from the Class of 2027. Freshman standout Claire Edwards has been a revelation in the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hay Springs will counter with an impressive cast of frontcourt talent. 2028 attacker [player_tooltip player_id='737382' first='Devyn' last='Young'] has made a big impression at multiple positions, and [player_tooltip player_id='464902' first='Mya' last='Turman'] brings a valuable senior presence at the net for the Hawks. Don't count out the Class D2 challengers in this showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cambridge vs. Bartley Southwest</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've seen a lot from these two teams lately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cambridge and Bartley Southwest have been frequent tournament participants over the past several years. They both landed in Lincoln last fall and are poised to repeat that feat in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cambridge has slugged through a tough Class D2 slate en route to an 18-6 record and a No. 3 ranking in the wildcard race. The Trojans are led by upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='839960' first='Brooklyn' last='Holtze'] and [player_tooltip player_id='464912' first='Mallory' last='Springer'], both of whom do a little of everything in the starting rotation. Holtze and Springer chip in with over three kills per set while also sharing setter duties in the back row. The 6-2 offense is a natural fit for Cambridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":893418,"width":"376px","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/5/2025/10/IMG_4385-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-893418" style="width:376px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Billeter sets during the 2024 state tournament.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartley Southwest ran the table during last year's regular season, so we aren't surprised to see this Class D1 powerhouse near the top yet again. The sister duo of [player_tooltip player_id='275947' first='Kyra' last='Nelms'] and [player_tooltip player_id='275948' first='Anikka' last='Nelms'] collectively churns out over ten kills per set while being able to tee off from anywhere in the frontcourt. Class of 2028 gem [player_tooltip player_id='737397' first='Aspen' last='Billeter'] has returned to distribute the offense after her stellar freshman campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consider this a postseason primer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Red Cloud vs. Kenesaw</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a fascinating one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams outside the top ten still have time to gain some all-important positions on the wildcard charts. That motif applies to Red Cloud and Kenesaw, two teams with room to climb despite impressive overall records.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Red Cloud is 17-7 and eleventh in the Class D2 standings. We've covered the rise of efficient Warrior attackers like [player_tooltip player_id='877295' first='Aiva' last='Rust'], [player_tooltip player_id='877315' first='Josie' last='Faimon'], and Charlotte Rust. This trio is just getting started on the prep scene, too, so Red Cloud could hover in D2's top tier for a while.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, Kenesaw rounds out Class D1's Top 20 despite a head-turning 18-6 mark. [player_tooltip player_id='582874' first='McKinnley' last='Kroos'] and Sophi Schukei are the headliners for the Blue Devils, with each putting down over four kills per set. Junior setters Morgen Kauk and Ashlyn Hess have learned how to keep these two attackers in a rhythm, especially through a tough October slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Exeter-Milligan/Friend vs. Silver Lake</span></strong> - Tue. Oct 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have some tournament royalty to check on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Exeter-Milligan/Friend's stunning run to last year's Class D1 title match has set the tone for more success in 2025. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='231947' first='Kaydence' last='Haase'] has somehow cleared the sky-high bar she set for herself during that triumph. She's averaging 6.1 kills per set while thriving alongside returning contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='230819' first='Kiley' last='Oldehoeft'] and Miley Ricenbaw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is clearly a big statement opportunity for Silver Lake. The 13-6 Mustangs have clawed up the Class D2 ranks behind the wicked right arm of senior outside attacker Makenna Karr. We've also watched veteran libero [player_tooltip player_id='800565' first='Sophie' last='Schmidt'] compile an astonishing eight digs per set, giving Silver Lake a formidable defense no matter which team is across the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That fearless attitude will be needed for the meeting with EMF.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Shelton vs. Sumner-Eddyville-Miller</span></strong> - Thu. Oct 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":893415,"width":"357px","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/5/2025/10/IMG_4976-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-893415" style="width:357px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gegg competes in the 2024 Class D2 championship match.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class D1 versus D2 crossover delivers again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton and Sumner-Eddyville-Miller have seen the mountaintop. The Bulldogs won last year's D2 title, and S-E-M made its Cinderella run in 2023's D1 tournament. Now, the classes are flipped.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton's move up to Class D1 has not slowed its progress. The transformative senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='809627' first='Erin' last='Gegg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='253923' first='Jalyn' last='Branson'] is back in full force with extraordinary attacking numbers. Gegg is hitting at a 0.412 clip while Branson has made an exceptional injury comeback. [player_tooltip player_id='800390' first='Gracie' last='Willis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='464915' first='Macy' last='Willis'] anchor the first and second contacts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class D2's leaderboard has been wild to follow, but Sumner-Eddyville-Miller has navigated the chaos to reach the No. 2 spot. All-state star [player_tooltip player_id='275967' first='Taryn' last='Arbuthnot'] has soared with 5.5 kills per set and one of the state's gaudiest blocking totals. Underclassmen like Kyler Jones, [player_tooltip player_id='834932' first='Lily' last='Hrasky'], and Mia Scoville have added to the S-E-M resurgence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Youth and experience will go head-to-head for the regular season finale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->