Unfinished Business: 2019 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title in 2020 – Class C2
We’re now diving into the second half of our ongoing “Unfinished Business” series, where we look at some of the tournament teams from 2019 who have the best shot at next year’s title after falling just short a year ago.…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’re now diving into the second half of our ongoing “Unfinished Business” series, where we look at some of the tournament teams from 2019 who have the best shot at next year’s title after falling just short a year ago. Check out the previous features on Class A, Class B, and Class C1.
Last year’s C2 crown went to an experienced and confident GICC squad who climbed to the title from the #3 seed. In the wake of their triumphant run to the top, several other talented teams had their season end just short of the big prize. Three such teams will be featured below. In a year where a couple of the top teams in the class lose a large portion of their lineups, 2020 is set up for a changing of the guard atop the C2 standings.
Superior
Superior entered the 2019 Class C2 tournament with a 29-2 record and a perfect 5-0 mark in district play. They were dominant during much of pre-tournament action, losing their final regular-season match on September 14th. Carrying a 24-match winning streak into the tournament, the Wildcats extended that streak to 25 with a first-round victory over Wisner-Pilger before falling to GICC in the semifinals. Superior fell in the third-place consolation match against Lutheran-Northeast to finish the year at 30-4.
Of course, the question mark for Superior going into 2020 is a glaring and obvious one. Gone is Kalynn Meyer Kalynn Meyer 6'3" | MB Superior | 2020 State NE , future Cornhusker and Nebraska’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2020. The multi-sport athlete contributed 541 kills last year. This kind of production is difficult to replace, as is the senior leadership of setter Zaveah Kobza, libero Trisha Hayes, and middle blocker Emma Schnakenberg. Despite all these losses, there is still good reason to believe that Superior will be among the top teams in C2 next year. Perhaps the best reason is the return of junior outside hitter Shayla Meyer Shayla Meyer 6'1" | OH Superior | 2022 State #185 Nation NE , the younger sister of Kalynn. Shayla pitched in 462 kills of her own in 2019 on a staggering .374 hitting percentage. She is one of the best rising stars in the Class of 2022, and Superior will continue to be a contender as long as Shayla is on the floor. The Wildcats will expect to get big production out of some other young players, like junior opposite Cailyn Barry and sophomore outside hitter Atlee Kobza. In a class that is largely up for grabs in 2020, Superior has a chance to cement themselves as the favorite.
Lutheran High Northeast
The Eagles were the #4 seed in last year’s tournament after a 29-6 regular season campaign. This scrappy team from Norfolk won a hard-fought match against Bishop Neumann in the opening round of the tournament to advance to the semifinals. Lutheran-Northeast fell to the top-seeded Hastings St. Cecilia, but was victorious in the third-place match against Superior to finish the season 31-7.
The 2020 version of Lutheran High Northeast will look a lot like last year’s team, and that’s reason to be optimistic about the Eagles. Lutheran will be led by senior outside hitter Rebecca Gebhardt, who had some big-time performances last year, especially in postseason play. While Gebhardt is the player to rack up the big numbers, she will have a familiar group behind her, as the Eagles graduate only two seniors from their 2019 squad. Chloe Spence and Madeline Becker both return and will run the show for this two-setter system. Libero Halle Berner Halle Berner 5'6" | S Norfolk Lutheran | 2021 State NE will continue to anchor the backcourt for what was a strong defensive team a season ago. Aubrey Herbolscheimer is strong on the right pin or in the middle, and Mia Furst Mia Furst Middle Lutheran High | NE will also be a key piece of this offense. With such an experienced roster, you have to expect that the Eagles will be looking to one-up last year’s semifinal appearance.
Bishop Neumann
Fifth-seeded Bishop Neumann entered the state tournament with a record of 25-9 after a challenging regular-season slate. After a grueling four-set match, the Cavaliers had their season end in the first round against Lutheran High Northeast.
There are undoubtedly some big shoes to fill on this Neumann lineup heading into 2020. Several key players depart, including outside hitters Lindsey Thiele and Emily Coufal, defensive specialist Tara Jurgensmeier, and middle blockers Katie Spicka and McKayla Most. What helps alleviate some of these losses is the return of junior outside hitter Kali Jurgensmeier Kali Jurgensmeier 6'1" | MB Bishop Neumann | 2022 State NE . I call her an outside hitter, but there’s nothing that Kali can’t do. She hits anywhere on the net, can pass, and plays spectacular defense. Jurgensmeier had 30 kills in their tournament loss against Lutheran. She will continue to will her team to new heights in 2020. Also returning is junior setter Lauren Thiele Lauren Thiele 5'9" | RS Bishop Neumann | 2022 State NE and defensive specialist Cassidy Most. These returning players will anchor the Cavaliers as they transition into a new era with a young lineup. There’s enough talent there to believe that Neumann can return to the state tournament and make some noise in this wide-open class.