Unfinished Business: 2019 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title in 2020 – Class D1
Class D1 takes center stage in our continuing “Unfinished Business” series. Just like before, we’ll be looking at tournament teams from last year that, although they didn’t win the title in 2019, have the talent to make a run at…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass D1 takes center stage in our continuing “Unfinished Business” series. Just like before, we’ll be looking at tournament teams from last year that, although they didn’t win the title in 2019, have the talent to make a run at the championship in 2020.
Last November, the Class D1 tournament was characterized by teams not accustomed to losing, as half of the teams in the field entered postseason play with four losses or fewer. The D1 crown ultimately went to Diller-Odell, who reached peak form in Lincoln behind the stellar play of sister duo Addison and Karli Heidemann Karli Heidemann 6'1" | OH Diller-Odell | 2023 State #124 Nation NE . The Griffins graduate some key players in 2020 and will have to adjust accordingly, but the Heidemann’s are back. The three teams featured below have what it takes to deny a repeat championship for Diller-Odell and start a new dynasty in Class D1.
Pleasanton
Pleasanton’s 2019 Team with Nebraska Head Coach John CookPleasanton was last year’s top seed in the D1 tournament. They earned this placement after a 30-1 regular season, with their only loss being to the eventual Class C2 champions, Grand Island Central Catholic. The Bulldogs started the postseason strong with a four-set victory over Central Valley. Pleasanton would stumble in the semifinals, however, falling to fourth-seeded Archbishop Bergan. In the consolation third-place match that followed, the Bulldogs won a five-set slugfest over Cedar Catholic to finish the season 32-2.
Last year, this team was anchored by two seniors and a large group of juniors. Those two seniors, libero Cadee Nichols and defensive specialist Paige Weisdorfer, were vital ball control players that will be tough to replace. But, make no mistake: Pleasanton’s 2020 team will be led by tons of upperclassmen with substantial playing experience. Senior outside hitter Katy Linder Katy Linder 5'11" | RS Pleasanton | 2021 State NE returns, and she will continue to carry a heavy load offensively. Behind her wicked arm swing and sky-high vertical, Lindner led the Bulldogs in kills last year, and she did it on a blistering .378 hitting percentage. Several other returning seniors were starters on last year’s team, like setter Natalie Siegel Natalie Siegel 5'5" | S Pleasanton | 2021 State NE , pin hitters Kaci Pierce and Isabelle Paitz, and middle blockers Chelsea Fisher and Kinsey Lindner. With such a senior-laden roster, Pleasanton has the inside track toward redemption and a shot at playing for the championship.
Overton
Overton SeniorsThe Eagles made history last year by punching their ticket to state for the first time since 1990. Overton’s historic accomplishment came after a 28-4 regular season with a 3-1 record against district opponents. This was enough to earn the #5 seed in the postseason tournament, where the Eagles lost in the opening round Archbishop Bergan, the eventual D1 runner-up.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the 2019 Eagles were guided by two seniors and a strong core of juniors. Indeed, the parallels between Overton and Pleasanton are remarkable. Overton loses two hitters to graduation in Megan Zulkoski and Morgan Barner. What the Eagles return is a talented, veteran group that should have the team in contention for back-to-back tournament appearances. Overton will be led by senior outside hitters Haley Fleischman and Rachel Ecklund Rachel Ecklund 5'10" | MB Overton | 2021 State NE , who both had extremely productive seasons in 2019. The pair hit almost .400 last year while combining for nearly 750 kills. The offense will benefit further from the return of senior setter Anna Brennan Anna Brennan 5'6" | OH Overton | 2021 State NE , who has shown the ability to take a vocal leadership role with her team. Allie Altwine adds to the veteran theme of this roster, and the senior middle blocker will look to grow her production in 2020. So, although the Overton Eagles waited nearly three decades for a tournament berth, next year’s squad might be able to show that 2019’s success was no fluke.
Central Valley
2019 Central Valley, Photo Credit to The Ord Quiz.Central Valley earned the #8 seed in last year’s tournament after a 24-7 regular season. The Cougars got their postseason bid by virtue of a sweep over Maywood-Hayes Center to clinch District 9 of Class D1. Their season ended in Lincoln with an opening-round loss to top-seeded Pleasanton.
We now take a moment to recognize Kensey Wadas, the lone graduating senior from the 2019 Cougars squad. Her departure is not insignificant, however, as Central Valley will have to break in a new starting setter. Regardless, the Cougars have six seniors-to-be going into 2020, and they all look to factor heavily in Central Valley’s mission to return to the tournament. Ashlyn Wright Ashlyn Wright 5'7" | DS/L Central Valley | 2021 NE leads the way offensively from the outside hitter position, and Dani Wadsworth is her counterpart on the right pin. These impactful seniors are joined by equally strong juniors, like Neleigh Poss Neleigh Poss Central Valley | NE , Dilynn Wood Dilynn Wood Central Valley | NE , and Vanessa Wood Vanessa Wood Central Valley | NE . All three have put up big numbers offensively and look to continue that kind of production next year. Choosing last year’s eighth-seeded team for this feature may be seen as a wildcard pick, but the Cougars are in prime position to make a run in 2020.