Unfinished Business: 2019 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title in 2020 – Class A
For every team that hoists the state championship trophy at the end of the year, there are dozens of other teams that fall just short of the mountaintop. Luckily, the adage, “there’s always next year”, often rings true for teams…
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Continue ReadingFor every team that hoists the state championship trophy at the end of the year, there are dozens of other teams that fall just short of the mountaintop. Luckily, the adage, “there’s always next year”, often rings true for teams who return a lot of talent from the previous year. While tournament losses hurt, many teams can find motivation in knowing that things look to be coming together for next season.
This series will look at teams who made the state tournament last year — but did not win the title — and look poised to perhaps have a better shot at winning a championship in 2020. We’ll look at the returning players for these schools that will be instrumental in guiding their team toward success. This series will spotlight some great teams, and will ultimately demonstrate the depth and parity that makes prep volleyball in Nebraska so unique.
We begin with Class A today. Please note that the teams in this series will be arranged by their class designation from the 2019 season, and we will not take into account any potential class changes for 2020.
With that, let’s get started.
Elkhorn South
Gray (#14)The Storm earned the #2 seed in last year’s tournament following a 29-7 regular season. Their pre-tournament journey included a victory over Class B juggernaut, Skutt Catholic, as well as a season sweep over cross-town rival, Elkhorn. In the tournament, Elkhorn South fell in the first round to the upset-minded tournament wrecking ball that was Papillion-LaVista South. The Storm, of course, would not be the last team to meet this fate.
This was a team loaded with talented sophomores in 2019, including setter Madi Woodin Madi Woodin 5'6" | S Elkhorn South | 2022 State NE , defensive specialists Estella Zatechka Estella Zatechka 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #54 Nation NE and Katie Galligan Katie Galligan 5'6" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #162 Nation NE , and outside hitter Kylie Weeks Kylie Weeks 5'7" | OH Elkhorn South | 2022 State #151 Nation NE . This corps returns a year wiser in 2020, and will also benefit from having some veteran leadership. The Storm will have two seniors bound for in-state Division 1 schools in middle blocker Rylee Gray (Nebraska) and opposite Brilee Wieseler (Nebraska-Omaha). Replacing Lexy Booth (Nebraska Wesleyan) and Ibi Green (Nebraska-Kearney) will be no easy task, but this will still be a veteran roster with a lot to prove. Class A will be a deep group next year, but Elkhorn South might be the class of the field. After an early exit in last year’s tournament, the Storm is brewing.
Papillion-LaVista
SisLast year, Papillion-LaVista had the extraordinary misfortune of drawing a first-round matchup against Millard North, a very strong team who got underseeded after voiding several wins due to a roster violation. The result was an early exit for 2019’s first-overall seed in Class A. The Monarchs bulldozed through regular season play, only dropping one match to the eventual champs, Papio South.
Indeed, there are some very big shoes to fill on this Papio roster for 2020. Setter Brooklyn Schram (South Dakota) departs, as does libero Chloe Paschal (Washburn) and outside hitter Erica Broin. Where does the optimism for next year come from? It starts with outside hitter and Creighton commit Norah Sis, who has one more chance to conquer the state tournament with the Monarchs. Sis has refined six-rotation skills that can lift her team through the toughest of matches. She is supported by returning junior defensive specialist Samantha Riggs Samantha Riggs 5'7" | DS/L Papillion-LaVista | 2022 State NE , whose ball control and floor defense are phenomenal. Logan Jeffus Logan Jeffus 6'0" | OH Papillion-LaVista | 2021 State NE is another strong option in the middle. Ultimately, the Monarchs may feel slighted after the conclusion of last year, giving them just another reason to be great in 2020.
Lincoln Pius X
Alexis MarkowskiAfter defeating Millard South in the opening round of last year’s tournament, Pius X met the same fate that befell Elkhorn South: an upset at the hands of the Titans. The Thunderbolts entered the tournament with a record of 29-6 and was fairly dominant against cross-town foes throughout the year.
Look at the 2019 Pius roster, and one thing immediately stands out: juniors! One year later, this team will have a massive stable of skilled seniors that includes setter Hannah Pham Hannah Pham 5'9" | S Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE , outside hitter Kylen Sealock (South Dakota), libero Miriam Miller Miriam Miller 5'6" | DS/L Lincoln Pius X | 2021 State NE , and middle blocker Alexis Markowski (South Dakota State). There is an influx of younger talent, too, including junior middle Regan Haith Regan Haith 6'1" | MB Lincoln Pius X | 2022 State NE and sophomore outside hitter Adison Markowski Adison Markowski 5'7" | S Lincoln Pius X | 2023 State NE . This roster sets up for the Thunderbolts to continue their dominance within the Star City. Can they then represent Lincoln in the tournament? With the abundance of talent within Class A, anything is possible. Last year’s tournament proved exactly that.