2016 All-Nebraska Watch List: The Liberos and Defensive Specialists

Each year prior to the start of the high school volleyball season, Nebraska Prep Volleyball releases its “Watch List” for liberos/DS, setters and hitters. At the end of each high school season, Nebraska Prep Volleyball releases a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All-Nebraska squad as well as three teams from of each classification.

A total of 30 athletes will earn All-Nebraska honors at the end of the year, with 10 players being named to each of the three teams. The players will come from a variety of classes and the recognition will be determined base solely on what the athlete did during the 2016 high school season. Of the 30 athletes, six will be setters, six will be either liberos or defensive specialists and 24 will he hitters (a combination of OH, MH & RS). It is extremely difficult to earn an All-Nebraska honor.

The following list of players is an indicator of how well players have preformed in the past, which means they have the potential to earn All-Nebraska honors. However, inclusion on the list does not mean the player will be named All-Nebraska nor does it mean a player not listed below can’t be named All-Nebraska. Again, it will be solely based on what happens during the 2016 high school season.

It should also be noted that the lists are generally dominated by seniors and juniors. It is incredibly rare for a freshman or a sophomore to be named among the 30 best players in the entire state. The 2014 & 2015 All-Nebraska teams had zero sophomores or freshmen included. Every year more than 100 high school players go on to play in college. There are a tremendous amount of talented volleyball players across the state in all classes. If you are included on this list, congratulations. If you are not on this list, do not be offended and understand that you are still a valuable member of your team and ultimately your inclusion on an All-Nebraska team or watch list is completely in your hands based on how you perform this season.

Listed alphabetically below are the 25 athletes named to the 2016 Libero/DS All-Nebraska Watch List:

Name, height, grade, high school, college commitment

Mackenzie Brandl, 5-foot-5, Sr., Stanton

Jaiden Centeno, 5-foot-6, Soph., Millard West

Katie Chalupa, 5-foot-6, Sr., Omaha Westside

Ava Curtiss, 5-foot-5, Sr. Omaha Concordia

Jordan Daniels, 5-foot-6, Sr., Millard West (Air Force)

Megan Dobbs, 5-foot-4, Sr., Lincoln Southeast

Madi Evans, 5-foot-5, Jr., Millard North

Victoria Jones, 5-foot-6, Sr., Omaha Concordia

Amanda Jordon, 5-foot-4, Sr., Waverly

Maddie Krajewski, 5-foot-4, Sr., Papillion-LaVista

Mckenzie Michalek, 5-foot-7, Jr., Papillion-LaVista

Claire Mountjoy, 5-foot-5, Sr., Elkhorn (Omaha)

Maggie Mullen, 5-foot-6, Jr., Omaha Marian

Adyson Narber, 5-foot-3, Sr., Aurora

Grace Nelson, 5-foot-6, Sr., Elkhorn (Ball State)

Riley Newton, 5-foot-5, Jr., Elkhorn South

Rylee Opfer, 5-foot-6, Jr., Seward

Jessica Schlautman, 5-foot-5, Sr., Omaha Skutt

Kaitie Siefkes, 5-foot-3, Jr., Lincoln Southwest

Ali Smith, 5-foot-5, Jr., Ord

Jadeyn Stutzman, 5-foot-6, Jr., Grand Island Northwest

Kaylee Taylor, 5-foot-6, Sr., Grand Island

Nikki White, 5-foot-5, Sr., Omaha Skutt

Erin Williams, 5-foot-5, Soph., Lincoln North Star

Kailyn Wiseman, 5-foot-5, Sr., Sutton