By PINNACLE BANK ARENA, AGAIN — Here we go again with day two of the NSAA state volleyball and the “little” towns took the stage. Well, and, Norfolk, who advanced Lutheran High Northeast and Norfolk Catholic in the the Class C-2 semifinals.
To be fair, it was pretty darn chalky on Thursday, which usually leads to some epic semifinals. The top four seeds advanced to the semifinals in each of the small classes. Through two days and 24 matches, only the Lincoln Pius, Millard West match on Wednesday went the full five sets. Thursday featured seven sweeps. Good. Fresh legs for the rest of the weekend, ladies.
Start your review, with this great piece from the Lincoln Journal-Star’s Brent Wagner on the “10 men” who made it to Lincoln, the other 38 coaches at state were women. Also, here is the all-class bracket.
DIVING: LHNE libero Halle Berner dives for a falling ball against Centennial on Thursday. (nebpreps photo / Dante Boelhower)
Class C-2
Herrrrrrre’s Johnny: Class C-2 still has a shot at an all Norfolk final as top-ranked Lutheran High Northeast and third-seeded Norfolk Catholic both advanced to the semifinals. The Eagles got 22 kills from Rebecca Gebhardt in a sweep of Centennial and Norfolk Catholic got 10 kills and 37 assists from Carly Marshall in their sweep of Superior.
In the way: The foes will be formidable, however, in the semifinals as LHNE will take on Clarkson/Leigh — who defeated Highway 91 rival Howells-Dodge — and NC gets 28-2 Overton — who has only lost to Pleasanton (see below) –this year. The LHNE, C/L game is a triangular rematch.
She Said It: “I’m just super-proud. For them to actually get here is kudos to all the work they’ve put in.”– Centennial coach Alex Anstine
The Tweet:
Surviving & advancing their way to the Class C2 Semifinals!@strivsports | #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/2JM48v9vr9
— NSAA Events (@nsaaevents) November 6, 2020
The Gram:
ABOVE THE NET: Pleasanton’s Kate Lindner goes high above the net for an attack against Johnson-Brock. (nebpreps photo / Dante Boelhower)
Class D-1
In Check: Pleasanton lost a set for just the third time all season on Thursday in their four-set win over Johnson-Brock (seeded eighth, but ranked sixth). Pleasanton got 22 and 19 kills from seniors Katy Lindner and Isabelle Paitz in the win; the Dawgs first volleyball win at Pinnacle Bank Arena after winning the state basketball championship last year. They get Mead in the semifinals.
Smiling Champions: For the first time all season, BDS played without masks and coach Keri Jo Alfs liked it. The high-energy coach was happy to watch the smiles on her team as they defeated Hartington Cedar Catholic in the quarterfinals. Now, the defending D-2 champions get last year’s finalist and 2018 champion Fremont Bergan in the semifinals.
He Said It: “Focus us a little bit and show we are human. If we don’t do what we are supposed to do, things might not turn out how they are supposed to, and we don’t want that to happen.” — Pleasanton coach, Shane Nordby on losing a set to Johnson-Brock
The Bracket:
D1 brackets go "chalk" in round one.@BulldogsPHS vs @meadraiders @bds_eagles vs @berganknights #nebpreps. pic.twitter.com/sayJrPNu2C
— Striv Sports (@strivsports) November 6, 2020
The Gram:
COURT QUARTERBACK: Diller-Odell setter Addison Heidemann prepares to set the ball on Thursday in the Class D-2 quarterfinals. (nebpreps photo / Dante Boelhower)
Class D-2
Sister Act: There was a disappointingly slow start for top-ranked Diller-Odell on Thursday against upset-minded Nebraska Christian. The Griffins lost the first set but then stormed back for a 3-1 win by scores of 11, 19 and 10. Senior Iowa State recruit Addison Heidemann had 44 assists and sophomore sister Karli had 31 kills in the win.
Irish Eyes: The Griffins opponent on Friday is Falls City Sacred Heart whom they have played four times early this season. The Irish, who got 29 kills from Erison Vonderschmidt, in a win over Humphrey St. Francis have won and lost five set matches against D-O earlier this year. D-O also swept them in Axtell, KS and took a 3-1 win in the sub-district final.
She Said It: “Do I wish they (Diller-Odell) would have been in our district? No. Do I mind seeing them in Pioneer and regular tournaments and things like that? No. I appreciate that and I mean that because those are the games that tell you the caliber of your own team.” — Falls City Sacred Heart coach Emma Ebel
The Bracket:
The D2 bracket is updated.@DillerOdell vs @fcsacred
CWC vs @MhcWolves #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/0Ox7zOfAsc— Striv Sports (@strivsports) November 5, 2020
The Gram:
