2020 Tournament Teams Poised for a Title – Class C1
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Another installment in our “unfinished business” series is on deck. With Class A and B covered, we look to Class C1! Here are a few teams who could make a championship push this fall. Lincoln Lutheran We know that…
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Continue ReadingAnother installment in our “unfinished business” series is on deck. With Class A and B covered, we look to Class C1!
Here are a few teams who could make a championship push this fall.
Lincoln Lutheran
We know that Lincoln Lutheran is no stranger to the big stage. That might give them some extra confidence heading into the 2021 season.
Last year, Lincoln Lutheran made a habit of challenging the top teams in Class C1 throughout the regular season. This isn’t a surprise. The talented Warriors eventually earned a six seed in postseason play and defeated Kearney Catholic in the first round. Lutheran’s semifinal matchup against St. Paul was an instant classic, and the Warriors eventually fell in a five-set slugfest.
Like many of the other teams in these features, this Lincoln Lutheran squad has a lot of returning talent that is now a year wiser in 2021. Junior outside hitter Abby Wachal Abby Wachal 5'10" | OH Lincoln Lutheran | 2023 State NE returns after a 400-kill season in 2020. As I’ve mentioned before, Wachal seems to be the next dominant pin hitter in a line of many that have come through the Warriors program.
Lutheran has the tough task of replacing Abi Wohlgemuth, but there are several returning attackers who can help fill the void. Molli Martin Molli Martin 5'11" | MB Lincoln Lutheran | 2022 State NE and Erika Young are two important pieces of that puzzle. Defensively, Raegan Holle Raegan Holle 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln Lutheran | 2022 State NE is back to anchor the endline.
Let’s put it simply: don’t count out the Warriors when it’s crunch time.
St. Paul
It’s always a good bet that perennial power St. Paul will show its strength when a trophy is on the line. That held true last season as the Wildcats took an undefeated record into the championship match before falling to Wahoo.
A big key to this team’s success in 2021 will be the setter-hitter combo of Olivia Poppert Olivia Poppert 6'0" | S St. Paul | 2022 State NE and Jenna Jakubowski Jenna Jakubowski 5'8" | OH St. Paul | 2023 State NE . With a lot of senior leadership departing from last year’s squad, it will be important for these two to lead the offense in pursuit of another championship. Luckily, Poppert and Jakubowski have the talent to make it happen.
This is also a chance for other players on the roster to make themselves known. Players like Madison Hirschman and Maya Becker could play a big role in the development of this new-look offense.
Count out this Wildcat team at your own risk. They’ve proven time and time again that they’ll always be in the title hunt.
Lakeview
Despite having a relatively young squad in 2020, Columbus Lakeview proved that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Lakeview posted several large win streaks leading up to their trip to Lincoln in November. After earning the five seed in Class C1, the Vikings opened with a win over Syracuse before falling to the eventual champs in the semifinal round. Lakeview then closed with a win over Lincoln Lutheran to claim third place in a competitive division.
This team has the roster to finish a couple spots better than last year’s result. Most notably, Lakeview now has a strong lineup of seniors that are looking to go out on top in their final year. Lilly Rowe Lilly Rowe 5'9" | OH Columbus Lakeview | 2022 State NE was Lakeview’s kills leader in 2020 and is poised to build on that performance. She is joined by fellow seniors Katee Korte Katee Korte 5'8" | MB Columbus Lakeview | 2022 NE and Mallori Kucera Mallori Kucera 5'11" | MB Columbus Lakeview | 2022 State NE who also made major contributions offensively. Another senior, Jordana Nekl, will lead the backcourt and continue to rack up digs.
Columbus Lakeview has to feel like this is their chance at redemption.