Class-By-Class Breakdown with October Play in Full Swing
It’s October. That means we’re inching closer to postseason play. We’ve almost made it. The onset of tournament season means it’s time to break down where each class stands so far. We’ve got some clear frontrunners around the state, but…
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Continue ReadingIt’s October. That means we’re inching closer to postseason play. We’ve almost made it.
The onset of tournament season means it’s time to break down where each class stands so far. We’ve got some clear frontrunners around the state, but there’s also huge groups of teams vying for the top spot in their respective classes.
We’re traveling around the Cornhusker State for this one! Here’s some teams to keep an eye on as we embark on the final stretch of the regular season.
Class A
If I had written this a few days ago, I would have said that Elkhorn South is far and away the best team in Class A. Now, make no mistake, the Storm are still the clear frontrunners here. But a loss to Lincoln Pius X at the Lincoln Northeast Invitational shows just how stacked this class is. It’s not an indication that Elkhorn South is slipping, it’s just hard to win every match when everyone else is so good. Teams rarely go undefeated anymore!
The winner!@PLSouthTitanVb takes a hard-fought, four-set win over Pius X! pic.twitter.com/q3GEJ9HC1V
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) September 9, 2020
Then there’s Papillion-La Vista South, who has already defeated the aforementioned Pius team twice in head-to-head competition. They’ve had yet another successful regular season, but a recent loss to Papillion-La Vista suggests that the cross-town Monarchs are looking to make a resurgence.
Like the Titans, Millard West has a college-bound setter (congrats to Bridget Smith on her commitment yesterday!). The Wildcats are always dangerous.
Here’s your wildcard pick in Class A: Lincoln Southwest. The Silver Hawks are seriously good. In case their talented lineup didn’t get your attention earlier in the year, they just beat Skutt. Look out.
Class B
Okay, so this has been the kingdom of Omaha Skutt Catholic for the past half decade. We know that. Though they showed some vulnerability in their loss to Southwest, they’re still elite. They took out much of their post-loss anger on Elkhorn last week in a resounding three-set sweep.
But let’s talk about the Antlers for a minute. Their championship at the Pius X Invitational opened some eyes. I was there to see it unfold. That championship match turned out to be a high-caliber Class B matchup that had Elkhorn taking on Norris. The rise of Norris has been well-documented. A five-set victory over Waverly earlier in the year was a defining moment for the Titans this season. Don’t count out those Vikings from Waverly, though. With two Huskers commits and a strong supporting cast, they could make some serious noise in the postseason. Also, watch out for the defending runner-up in this class, Omaha Duchesne. Their tournament run last year was no fluke.
Class C1
Okay, so I said earlier that teams don’t go undefeated much anymore. Counterpoint: Wahoo.
The Warriors are 18-0 and show no signs of slowing down. They haven’t dropped a set since opening day on August 27th. Wahoo’s elite talent is on display every time they’re on the court, from the setting position to outside hitter.
However, the Warriors have some other competitors to get past if they’re going to go all the way to the title match. Grand Island Central Catholic is a great example. The defending champions of Class C2 have cruised to a record of 17-1 in their new class, with the sole blemish to a very talented Pleasanton team. Head coach Sharon Zavala has done plenty of winning in her enormously long stint with the Crusaders. Never count them out, along with the strong Lincoln Lutheran team that has also challenged some heavyweights this year. Also sitting at 20-3 is Kearney Catholic, who looks to be primed to take over their district.
And let’s go west! The Sidney Red Raiders are 19-4 after also making a tournament appearance last year. I expect them to make the cross-state trek again in this November.
Class C2
Yes, so, there’s another undefeated team here, too: Lutheran High Northeast.
I recall how impressed I was with the Eagles when I watched them at the Prep Dig Omaha Summer Bash in July. They’ve brought that fire to the high school season, and they haven’t dropped a match. Fighting their way into the tournament last year was fun, but they’re looking to win it all this year.
Let’s not forget Superior, a team that looked poised to win last year’s title, too. That team has emerged through some growing pains and has showed great strength lately.
One of the best breakout stories of last year was Overton, a team who made the tournament after a decades-long dry spell. It looks like last year’s trip was not an isolated incident, as the Eagles currently hold an 18-1 record. Norfolk Catholic and Clarkson/Leigh are two other teams that are going to be tough to beat in districts.
Class D1
The trend of undefeated teams continues. I said it’s hard to go undefeated, but this is ridiculous.
Of course, I’m talking about Pleasanton! The Bulldogs boast a 20-0 record and some elite talent that can be seen on our player rankings. Pleasanton was undaunted by their big-time matchup against GICC earlier in the year. This team is battle-hardened.
Perhaps the biggest offseason storyline in Class D1 was the addition of Bruning-Davenport/Shickley. The defending D2 champs haven’t skipped a beat in their new class, amassing a current record of 16-1. This is another team that impressed at this summer’s Prep Dig event in Omaha.
I’ll be looking to see if other perennial contenders, like Johnson-Brock or Archbishop Bergan, can emerge from the pack.
Class D2
Believe it or not, the frontrunner in Class D2 hasn’t lost either.
Diller-Odell, like BDS, has invaded a new class and has had success doing it. The defending champs of Class D1 are untouched so far this year. Also having a remarkably perfect year is Maywood/Hayes Center, who has dominated en route to a 19-0 record.
Keep an eye out for the usual suspects in D2. Falls City Sacred Heart is as talented as ever, and Humphrey St. Francis is having another strong year. But, can anyone knock off the Diller-Odell juggernaut?
As with all these classes, only time will tell. See you there.