Western Nebraska preseason volleyball Top 5s
Ogallala’s Laney Caskey receives serve in a game against North Platte in 2024.
Most area volleyball teams begin games this weekend. To continue our season preview, here is the Western Nebraska big school and small school Top 5s.
Big school (classes B-C2)
Ogallala (0-0) — Alex Ervin, Laney Caskey and Shaydyn Rasby return to anchor an Ogallala team that finished 31-4 and was the No. 1 seed in the Class C1 state tournament a year ago. Also returning is setter Hayden Shaw, who topped 1,000 assists a year ago. Ervin led the team in kills as a sophomore and Rasby led the team in blocks and was third in kills as a freshman. We could once again see big things out of one of western Nebraska’s most storied programs.
Gering (0-0) — A state tournament team a year ago in Class B, the Bulldogs return almost their entire offensive attack, with hitters Jacey Cochran, Jaxie John and Ivy Bruckner and setter Aubrey Anderson. Bruckner is the force inside on defense and Adriana Canales led the team in digs as a freshman last year.
Valentine (0-0) — Mia Sherbeyn led the Badgers in kills as a freshman and Clarrah Beebout led the team in blocks as a sophomore. Both return to anchor the Badgers, as does Devahney Belville, who led the team in assists as a freshman. They will have to find a replacement for Ashlyn Hutchinson, who was a big part of last year’s attack.
North Platte (0-0) — The Bulldogs return their top three hitters in Jaycee Burke, Liv Lyons and Kenidee Lemmer and their top setter in Allie Thramer. Their big presence on defense, Jaicee Fox, also returns.
Scottsbluff (0-0) — While the Bearcats do have to replace their top two attackers, Finnley Martin returns as do Mia Bowles and Marley Wilkinson. Setter Lillian Hays also returns.
Small school (classes D1-D2)
Dundy County-Stratton (0-0) — A state tournament team a year ago, the Tigers return leading attacker Emily Schack, along with Abi Spargo and Ava Lutz. Spargo led the team with an area-leading 152 blocks a a season ago. Setter Bree Lutz also returns for a talented squad. They will have to replace Clara Spargo, who contributed all over the court.
Garden County (0-0) — Middle blocker Kelbi Cooper and setter Kirstyn Beberniss return or the Eagles on a team that also qualified for the state tournament. They also return Kenley Dehning, who led the team in digs. They do lose their top attackers on the outside.
SEM (0-0) — Sumner-Eddyville-Miller has big shoes to fill with the departure of Taryn Arbuthnot, who amassed 563 kills and 126 blocks to lead the Mustangs to the state tournament. Kyler Jones was third on the team in kills as a freshman and setter Mia Scoville also returns.
Maywood-Hayes Center (0-0) — Leading attacker Caylie Softley returns for the Wolves, but they do lose the other top two attackers. Addison Richards and Haylie Gustafson figure to step in to the attack. Ensley Lawless, the team leader in digs as a freshman, returns as does setter Jaylee Sellers.
Mullen (0-0) — Another state tournament qualifier, the Broncos return their top two attackers in Jenna Donohoe and Ella Rice as well as setter Kalli Licking. Brynne McCully and Harper Anderson should also be factors for Mullen.
