Kyla Swanson Remains Atop Class of 2019 Rankings

<p><a href="https://prepdig.com/minnesota/rankings/2019-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2019 PLAYER RANKINGS</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>How do you strengthen your grip on the top overall spot in the Class of 2019 player rankings in Nebraska? Well, if you're Illinois recruit <strong>Kyla Swanson</strong>, you help lead Wahoo to its first-ever state title in volleyball just a handful of months after moving to town.</p> <p>Swanson, who spent her freshman and sophomore years at Minden, moved to Wahoo with her family last summer and was an immediate force in helped lead the Warriors to the Class C-1 state title in November. Swanson hit a mind-boggling .488 on the season and finished with 328 kills and 65 blocks. In the Class C-1 state championship match, Swanson had 15 kills on 24 swings – with just one error – and had two blocks.</p> <p>Her high school season left little opportunity for anyone to knock her from the top spot in the 2019 rankings. <strong>Emma Grunkemeyer</strong> of Millard North, though, looked like she might have a shot as the Iowa recruit was starting to play the best volleyball of her career – including an 11 kill, four block performance against Papillion-LaVista South – early in the season. She played with good aggression and confidence before having to be shut down the last week of September with a back injury. That back injury will likely keep her out this whole club season as well, but Gunkemeyer has shown enough potential and growth to stay at #2.</p> <p><strong>Lily Heyne</strong> of Skutt Catholic, a Tulsa recruit, stayed at #3 after a stellar high school season in which she earned her third state title as a member of the Skyhawks. Creighton recruit <strong>Emily Bressman</strong> of Omaha Marian and Bishop Neumann's Wayne State recruit <strong>Kelsie Cada</strong> are new to the top 5. Both are simply dominating attackers, although Bressman is just a little more polished of a defender than Cada at this point.</p> <p><strong>Mara LeGrand</strong> of Papillion LaVista South, <strong>Fallon Stutheit</strong>, a future Husker, of Johnson Brock, Iowa State libero recruit <strong>Jaiden Centeno</strong> of Millard West, and a pair of Omaha recruits – setter <strong>Sami Clarkson</strong> of Omaha Concordia and outside <strong>Megan Woods</strong> of Grand Island Central Catholic – round out the top 10.</p> <p>Wahoo's <strong>Elly Larson</strong> likely would have been in the top 10 had she not suffered a knee injury playing basketball at the end of 2017. Her recruiting was really starting to pick-up after an incredible high school season and it will be interesting to see what schools hold a scholarship for her while they wait and see how she comes back.</p> <p>Here are a few other players in the top 50 who could rise quickly and make waves during this important recruiting time coming up:</p> <p><strong>Jaden Ferguson, Lincoln Southwest.</strong> The 6'0 outside hitter is ranked #19 and has made tremendous improvements the last couple years. If she blows up at a big tournament or two, she could be looking at some really good offers.</p> <p><strong>Lexie Langely, Archbishop Bergan and Camryn Opfer, Seward.</strong> The pair are ranked #22 and #23, respectively, and both playing on the same Nebraska ONE 171 Titanium team. That team is loaded with uncommitted talent – and Husker commit Stutheit – so Langely and Opfer will definitely have eyes on them during the club season. Langely is the more complete player and has gotten some lower Division I and higher Division II looks while this is Opfer's first time on the major club circuit and she's sure to catch someone's eye.</p> <p><strong>Liberos Erin Williams, Lincoln Lutheran, Sophia Moes, Omaha Marian and Emma Gabel, Lincoln Pius X.</strong> The unfortunately reality is that liberos are quite often an after-thought in recruiting. Most scholarship money goes to those in the 6-foot-plus club because, frankly, there are less of them than there are back row players. And, lots of times, schools will convert players that play other positions in high school (outside hitters, setters) into liberos in college. That having been said, these three are top 50 overall players in the 2019 class for a reason. They're really, really good. Plus, all three are playing for teams that will get a ton of exposure this year and will play at high levels. Williams – ranked #26 – is with Nebraska ONE 17 Titanium, Moes – ranked #27 – is with Nebraska Elite 171 and Gabel – ranked #48 – is with VCNebraska 17 Elite.</p>