Unfinished Business: 2019 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title in 2020 – Class C1
We’ve now covered Class A and Class B in our “Unfinished Business” series, where we look at 2019 tournament teams who didn’t win the title, but have all the pieces for a run at the championship next year. Class C1,…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve now covered Class A and Class B in our “Unfinished Business” series, where we look at 2019 tournament teams who didn’t win the title, but have all the pieces for a run at the championship next year. Class C1, you’re up.
There has to be a feeling among C1 teams that the class is wide open in 2020. Lincoln Lutheran will have to defend their title without their star outside hitter, Marriah Buss Marriah Buss 6'1" | OH Lincoln Lutheran | 2020 State NE , who moves on to what is sure to be a fabulous collegiate career at Wichita State. While the Warriors will still have an excellent squad going into next year, the departure of Buss is a massive void that will have other Class C1 teams raring to get their shot at the championship. The three teams below just might have the talent to capitalize on that opportunity.
Wahoo
LarsonA conversation about next year’s contenders in Class C1 has to begin with Wahoo. The Warriors entered last year’s tournament as the #2 seed following a 28-3 regular season in which they were 11-0 against district opponents. After defeating Norfolk Catholic in the first round of postseason play, Wahoo met their fellow Warriors of Lincoln Lutheran, where Wahoo fell in a three-set slugfest. Wahoo then defeated Broken Bow in the third-place consolation match to finish the season with a 30-4 record.
Wahoo graduates two seniors from last year’s squad: outside hitter Lillian Mann (Midland) and libero Kendal Brigham. What they return for 2020 is a big group of players with big-time talent. The Warriors will be led by their senior setter, Elle Glock, who will take her talents to the historic USC volleyball program following her final season with Wahoo. Glock has the tangible skills and the leadership to will her team to the championship match. She will also be surrounded by a fantastic supporting cast. Outside hitter Mya Larson Mya Larson 5'11" | OH Wahoo | 2022 State #168 Nation NE is our top-ranked player in the 2022 class. Her six-rotation ability and terminal arm make her an impact player regardless of rotation. Kelsie Sears is another talented outside hitter who should put up big numbers for the Warriors once again. With the way this roster is set up, my conclusion is simple: Wahoo is the team to beat in Class C1 next year.
St. Paul
2019 St. Paul TeamOne of the best volleyball programs in western Nebraska, St. Paul entered the 2019 Class C1 tournament as the #1 seed with an undefeated record of 33-0. Not only did they win every regular-season match, they won every set. The Wildcats followed this incredible feat with victories over Battle Creek and Broken Bow, finally dropping their first set of the year to the latter. In the championship, St. Paul fell in a white-knuckle, four-set match to Lincoln Lutheran, finishing the year at 35-1.
St. Paul, like all teams, has some pieces to replace, most notably Brooke Poppert at outside hitter. However, the Wildcats have a great group of seniors-to-be that will surely keep them in the title hunt next year. The bunch is led by outside hitter Josie Jakubowski, whose gritty, hard-hitting style was crucial to St. Paul’s success in 2019. Equally impactful in this group are libero Paige Lukasiewicz and outside hitter Abby Elstermeyer. Setter Olivia Poppert Olivia Poppert 6'0" | S St. Paul | 2022 State NE leads the offense and is a rising junior to watch. And then there’s the younger Jakubowski, Jenna, who is an outside hitter in the Class of 2023 who is sure to elevate this team into the future. The Wildcats will enter 2020 with a team that is not dramatically different from last year’s, and that bodes well for St. Paul’s mission to return to the title match.
Wayne
Wayne entered the C1 tournament as the #4 seed after a 29-5 regular season campaign. They were undefeated in district play and dominated their matches against regional opponents in northeastern Nebraska. In tournament play, the Blue Devils fell in their first-round matchup against Broken Bow.
This is a team with enough returning talent to expect a repeat appearance at the state tournament in 2020. Wayne has to be excited about having Lauren Pick for one more year. This all-purpose hitter can swing at any set: left side, middle, or behind the setter on the slide. She does it all, and she can even pass. Pick will have some familiar faces around her, too, as libero Sydney Redden Sydney Redden 5'4" | DS/L Wayne | 2022 State NE and setter Kiara Krusemark Kiara Krusemark 5'3" | S Wayne | 2022 State NE return, both juniors. Considering both the inter-district dominance displayed by Wayne last year and the important pieces they have back, it is reasonable to expect a return to state in 2020.