LUKE MULLIN
Lincoln Journal Star
Luke Mullin and Nate Head break down the action from Semifinal Friday at the state volleyball tournament and preview what is to come in the finals Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
Lincoln Journal Star
All matches at Pinnacle Bank Arena; all matches on NET.
Class A, Papillion-La Vista South (29-5) vs. Elkhorn South (29-1), approx. 8:45 p.m.
Papillion-La Vista South surprised many with a run through the Class A bracket last season. This year, the Titans showed they are here to stay. Elkhorn South is making the most of its first state appearance since 2015 — and the Storm, with five Division I players on the roster, always attract extra eyes. Rylee Gray, a Nebraska commit from Elkhorn South, and Papio South's Ava Legrand, a Kansas State commit, look to lead their teams to state lore.
Class B, Omaha Skutt (34-1) vs. Norris (29-4), 7 p.m.
If the appeal of watching one of the best players in state history play one last high school match isn't enough, the SkyHawks also are looking for a sixth straight title, which would match a record. Lindsay Krause, a Nebraska commit, is a dominant force for Omaha Skutt and has impressed in two triumphs this week. Norris, riding a 16-match winning streak, won't be content to merely be in the finals. The Titans want it all. And why not? After all, anything can happen on Championship Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Class C-1, Wahoo (34-0) vs. St. Paul (34-0), approx. 3:45 p.m.
After falling short and finishing third last year, Wahoo is back in the C-1 title match for the third time in four seasons. The Warriors won the C-1 crown in both 2017 and 2018, and Elle Glock is one of a trio of seniors seeking a third state title. It will be a battle of unbeatens after St. Paul narrowly defeated Lincoln Lutheran in a five-setter. The Wildcats are seeking their first state title in school history.
Class C-2, Lutheran High Northeast (35-1) vs. Norfolk Catholic (25-7), 2 p.m.Â
Lutheran High Northeast has been tested in both of its state tournament matches, including a dramatic five-set win over Clarkson/Leigh in the semifinals. Rebecca Gebhardt headlines a strong Eagle attack seeking the school’s third state title in 11 years. Norfolk Catholic overcame a first-set loss to take down No. 2 Overton in its semifinal match, and now the Knights are in the state title match for the first time in school history.
Class D-1, Pleasanton (32-0) vs. Archbishop Bergan (26-10), approx. 10:45 a.m.
Undefeated Pleasanton took care of No. 4 Mead easily in its semifinal match, while Archbishop Bergan eliminating last year's D-2 champion BDS in four sets. This is the third straight season Archbishop Bergan has been in the D-1 final, and it beat Pleasanton in the semifinals a year ago. The Bulldogs were eliminated in the semifinals the past two years, but they now have a shot at winning their first state title since 1976.
Class D-2, Diller-Odell (32-1) vs. CWC (33-1), 9 a.m.
Both of D-2’s best teams dropped a set in the opening round of the state tournament before sweeping their semifinal opponents. Both teams have hard-hitting attackers with more than 400 kills this season in Diller-Odell’s Karli Heidemann and CWC’s Morgan Ramsey, to go along with talented setters. Diller-Odell will seek to defend its D-1 state title from a year ago, while CWC could win the first volleyball state title in school history.
Photos: Semifinals Friday pushes teams one step closer to state volleyball lore
Lincoln Lutheran's Abby Wachal (left) attempts a kill in the first set against St. Paul during the second round in a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Lincoln Lutheran's Raegan Holle dives for a St. Paul shot in a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6, 2020 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Abby Wachal serves in the second set against St. Paul during a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Erika Young serves in the first set against St. Paul during a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Abby Wachal (24) attempts a kill in the first set against St. Paul during a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Sophie Wohlgemuth celebrates a Warrior point against St. Paul during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Abigail Wohlgemuth (right) attempts a kill in the first set against St. Paul as teammate Abby Wachal looks on in a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Katelynn Oxley (16) goes for a block in the first set against St. Paul in a Class C-1 semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER Journal Star
St. Paul's Josie Jakubowski (5) dives for a Lincoln Lutheran shot in the fifth set in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
St. Paul's Josie Jakubowski (5) scores the match-winning point with a fifth-set kill against Lincoln Lutheran in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
St. Paul's Jacie Jakubowski (5) celebrates her match-winning kill with her teammates after the Wildcats defeated Lincoln Lutheran in a five-set thriller in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
St. Paul's Josie Jakubowski (left) collides with a teammate as she dives for a Lincoln Lutheran shot in the fifth set in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Columbus Lakeview players gather after a point during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo's Kelsie Sears chases down a long ball from going out of bounds during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo's Josie Sutton spikes the ball against Columbus Lakeview's Josie Bentz and Katee Korte during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Columbus Lakeview's Lily Rowe returns a serve by Wahoo during the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo libero Taylor Luben (2) passes during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo and Columbus Lakeview line up for introductions before the start of the match during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Columbus Lakeview libero Jordie Nekl attempts to bump the ball during the second round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo's Elle Glock (left) goes up against Columbus Lakeview's Reese Janssen during the second round of the Class C-1 state tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Columbus Lakeview's Maddi Vogt goes low for the ball during the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo's bench rushes the floor after defeating Columbus Lakeview in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Columbus Lakeview fans cheer on their team in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal against Wahoo on Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wahoo libero Taylor Luben celebrates a point in a Class C-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal against Columbus Lakeview on Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Archbishop Bergan's Kaitlyn Mlnarik (4) and Kennedy Bacon (14) go up against BDS's Jordan Bolte (24) and Macy Kamler (23)Â during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
BDS' Macy Kamler hits against Archbishop Bergan blockers during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Archbishop Bergan's Kennedy Bacon (14) and Rebecca Baker (7) watch teammate Kaitlyn Mlnarik hit over BDS blockers including Macy Kamler (23)Â during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Archbishop Bergan's Paige Frickenstein (5) hits over the BDS defense during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
BDS teammates Taylor Sliva (20) and Taryn Fiala (18) work together to dig out a ball during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
BDS's Mariah Sliva (3) sprawls in an attempt to keep the ball alive as Archbishop Bergan's Summer Bojanski (3) and Rebecca Baker (7) watch during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
BDS teammates get pumped up before playing Archbishop Bergan during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Archbishop Bergan's Carlee Hapke digs out a ball as teammate Lauren Baker (8) waits to assist during a Class D-1 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Falls City Sacred Heart's Erison Vonderschmidt (11) bumps the ball during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Diller-Odell celebrates its win against Falls City Sacred Heart during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Falls City Sacred Heart's Erison Vonderschmidt (11) and Lainey Ebel (16) block a Diller-Odell hit during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Diller-Odell's Addison Heidemann (4) tips the ball over to Falls City Sacred Heart's Taylor Frederick (13) during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Falls City Sacred Heart's Danielle Bippes (20) hits over Diller-Odell blockers during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Falls City Sacred Heart's Taylor Frederick (13) hits over Diller-Odell's Ava Lovitt during a Class D-2 state volleyball tournament semifinal Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Omaha Skutt's Lindsay Krause (top) and Cameron Cartwright attempt a block against an Ashland-Greenwood attack during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Omaha Skutt's Lindsay Krause (27) is in the middle of a celebration of the SkyHawks' sweep of Ashland-Greenwood at the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Omaha Skutt players enjoy their sweep of Ashland-Greenwood in the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Omaha Skutt's Abigail Schomers attempts a kill against Ashland-Greenwood during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Papillion-La Vista players celebrate a point by Norah Sis (2) against Elkhorn South during the second round of the Class A state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood's Carly vonRentzell rises for a shot against Omaha Skutt's Abigail Schomers during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Papillion-La Vista's Norah Sis hits against Elkhorn South during the second round of the Class A state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood's Jessica Stander hits past Omaha Skutt's Allison Gray during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Elkhorn South's Rylee Gray (14) was the center of attention after she helped lead the Storm to the state championship match with a five-set win against Papillion-La Vista in November. Elkhorn South won the Class A state title, had a 30-1 record and finished No. 8 in the national rankings.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Elkhorn South's Rylee Gray (left) crushes a kill between a pair of Papillion-La Vista defenders during the second round of the Class A state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Norris' Brianna Stai (right) attempts a first-set kill against Elkhorn as teammate Maisie Boesiger looks on during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris' Sydney Jelinek pushes a shot over against Elkhorn during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris' Ella Waters goes up for a first-set kill against Elkhorn during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris' Mollie Ramsey (18) lifts a Elkhorn shot in the first set during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris' Kalli Kroeker (10) attempts a first-set kill against Elkhorn during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris' Brianna Stai goes for a first-set kill against Elkhorn during the second round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Norris celebrate its first-set win over Elkhorn in a semifinal match at the Class B state volleyball tournament Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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