State Championship Recap: Class B and A
The final session: Class B and Class A! What a way to finish the high school season. The top two seeds in each class ended up facing off; Omaha Skutt met Norris in Class B, while Elkhorn South and Papio…
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Continue ReadingThe final session: Class B and Class A!
What a way to finish the high school season. The top two seeds in each class ended up facing off; Omaha Skutt met Norris in Class B, while Elkhorn South and Papio South would battle in Class A.
Let’s revisit the last volleyball action of the high school season!
Class B
Three quick kills by Lindsay Krause Lindsay Krause 6'3" | OH Skutt Catholic | 2021 State NE put Skutt up early. Norris got many of their hitters involved, with Kalli Kroeker Kalli Kroeker 6'1" | MB Norris | 2021 State NE and Sydney Jelinek Sydney Jelinek 5'10" | OH Norris | 2022 State NE getting plenty of quality swings. A big block from Maisie Boesiger Maisie Boesiger 5'5" | S Norris | 2022 State #198 Nation NE and strong swings from Ella Waters Ella Waters 6'3" | OH Norris | 2022 State NE gave the Titans momentum, and that translated to a 16-12 lead. More quick, powerful offense from Norris gave them a big advantage late in the set. The SkyHawks mounted a comeback behind some very disciplined blocking and a great serving run from Shayla McCormick Shayla McCormick 6'0" | MB Skutt Catholic | 2021 State NE . However, it wasn’t enough, as the Titans ultimately prevailed, 25-22.
@NorrisTitanVB wins the first set over Skutt, 25-22!
Final kill miiiiight have grazed the antenna, but we play on! #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/9HT1s2gVQR
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) November 8, 2020
The second set started with another productive trip behind the line for McCormick, as the SkyHawks took a 5-0 lead. This lead continued to grow thanks to Skutt’s stifling defense. Norris got on the board after Skutt up 13 straight points to open the second. Morgan Burke Morgan Burke 5'10" | S Skutt Catholic | 2023 State #132 Nation NE put together some strong rotations in the front row as the SkyHawks went on to win the set, 25-13.
It was a competitive start to the third set, with Norris and Skutt trading scoring runs. Liberos Morgan Ramsey and Bre Skala Bre Skala 5'7" | DS/L Skutt Catholic | 2021 State NE had some spectacular digs that fueled long rallies. A few kills and an ace from Krause helped give the SkyHawks a slim lead. Cameron Cartwright Cameron Cartwright 5'8" | MB Skutt Catholic | 2021 State NE delivered some killer serves of her own, and the SkyHawks eventually won the third, 25-20.
Norris rebounded to start the fourth, with Brianna Stai Brianna Stai 5'11" | MB Norris | 2021 State NE doing great work on offense and with her blocking. Alivia Hausmann Alivia Hausmann 5'5" | DS/L Norris | 2024 State NE had some great moments in the backcourt that gave her team an early lead. Skutt answered with plenty more offense from Krause and Ava Heyne Ava Heyne 6'1" | OH Skutt Catholic | 2022 State NE . After capturing a lead late in the set, the SkyHawks finished their night with a 25-21 win and a sixth straight state title.
SIX. STRAIGHT. CHAMPIONSHIPS.@SkuttCatholicVB wins 3-1 over Norris to capture their sixth consecutive state title! #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/wCs0YMxYHx
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) November 8, 2020
Class A
It was a block party to start the Class A title match. Elkhorn South middle Mia Mroczek Mia Mroczek 6'2" | MB Elkhorn South | 2022 NE was particularly impressive. Aliah Clarke Aliah Clarke 5'10" | OH Papillion-LaVista South | 2021 State NE , meanwhile, put down some emphatic kills from the middle for the Titans. An early lead for the Storm persisted throughout the first set, with Rylee Gray Rylee Gray 6'3" | MB Elkhorn South | 2021 State NE and Kylie Weeks Kylie Weeks 5'7" | OH Elkhorn South | 2022 State #151 Nation NE each chipping in several kills. Papio South never gave up, though. Down 24-18, the Titans came all the way back to tie the set! In the end, however, the Storm scored the final two points to win it, 26-24.
@eshsvb survives at set one thriller, 26-24!
Down 24-18 (!!), the Titans tied the match before the Storm scored the final two points! #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/pHy7ytE4ew
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) November 8, 2020
The Storm continued to roll, building another early lead in the second set. Rylee Gray Rylee Gray 6'3" | MB Elkhorn South | 2021 State NE was simply unstoppable. Estella Zatechka Estella Zatechka 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #54 Nation NE continue to impress at the libero spot, and Katie Galligan Katie Galligan 5'6" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #162 Nation NE had a good passing performance. The Titans remained competitive as Ava LeGrand Ava LeGrand 5'11" | S Papillion-LaVista South | 2022 State #46 Nation NE put together a balanced and precise match at setter. But, with so many attacking options for Elkhorn South, the Storm earned a 25-22 win in the second set.
The third set had plenty of the same exceptional backcourt play we saw to begin the match. Weeks put up some darts from behind the line that helped Elkhorn South build another lead. Maddie Henry Maddie Henry 5'8" | OH Elkhorn South | 2023 State NE continued the tough serving, and the Storm’s middles continued to terminate. With the back row attack fully engaged, Class A’s top seed reached peak efficiency. Elkhorn South capped off the high school volleyball season with a 3-0 sweep!
The final rally of the high school season!@eshsvb sweeps Papio South to take the Class A championship! #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/9pPt0M6PnF
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) November 8, 2020