Updated Class of 2019 Player Rankings: #1-10

With the start of the summer high school camps and conditioning just around the corner, it’s time to update our player rankings as we prepare for the start of the 2018 high school season.

Each day we will release more Class of 2019 (can you believe it, you guys are finally seniors!) rankings until we get to the top. We’ve increased the number of ranked players to 210! Remember, these lists are fluid and updated often, so if you are ranked, congratulations and just know that people will be gunning to take your place wherever you are ranked. If you are not ranked, please remember that we do the best that we can to see and evaluate as many players in the state as possible during the high school and club seasons. Just because you aren’t ranked now doesn’t mean you won’t be in the future. 

For now, here are the players that are ranked #1-10. Congrats and best of luck this upcoming summer and high school season. Thanks for all you did to make high school volleyball in Nebraska so amazing!

#10 – Fallon Stutheit, 6’1, MH, Johnson-Brock (Nebraska ONE) – committed to Nebraska

The future Husker will look to lead Johnson-Brock to its fourth-straight state title this fall. A fierce competitor and excellent athlete, her ability is unmatched in the smaller schools and her quickness at the net is among the best in the state.

#9 – Sami Clarkson, 5’11, Setter, Omaha Concordia (Premier) – committed to Omaha

An athletic, tall and aggressive setter with really soft hands that delivers a hittable ball on a very consistent basis. Puts up a pretty good block, good decision maker and has a knack for making big plays.

#8 – Emma Grunkemeyer, 6’3, MH, Millard North (Nebraska Elite) – committed to Iowa

It’s nearly been a full year since Grunkemeyer played because of back issues, but when she’s healthy and playing aggressively she can single-handedly dominate a match. She could easily jump several spots higher once she gets back on the court. 

#7 – Jaiden Centeno, 5’7, Libero, Millard West (Premier) – committed to Iowa State

The best libero in the state and one of the best in the nation, there isn’t an attacker around that can consistently beat her. Great ability to deaden even the hardest hit balls and turn them into perfect passes.

#6 – Mara LeGrand, 5’10, Setter, Papillion-LaVista South (Nebraska Juniors) – committed to Regis University

LeGrand gets the nod as the 2019 setter with the highest college potential because she’s still growing and learning the position. Very smart player with great court awareness that is athletic and physically strong. Does as things very well.

#5 – Elly Larson, 6’0, OH, Wahoo (VCNebraska) – committed to Wayne State

No player has improved her stock or improved more as a player over the past calendar year than Larson. She missed the entire club season due to a torn ACL at the start of basketball but is already back playing summer camps. Aggressive, strong player at the net and very solid in the back row. 

#4 – Lily Heyne, 6’1, OH, Skutt Catholic (Nebraska Elite) – committed to Tulsa

You will have a hard time finding a player in the 2019 class that is more athletic or dominating at the net when she is on than Heyne. Great leaper and blocker, it will be interesting to see this high school season if she hits at a pin or in the middle.

#3 – Kelsie Cada, 6’1, OH, Bishop Neumann (VCNebraska) – committed to Wayne State

Cada has first-team All-Nebraska talent and is a strong contender for the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year Award. She’s explosive, has great timing, hits a hard and heavy ball, plays a tremendous back row and has one of the best serves in the state. Could be the best recruit Wayne State has ever had.

#2 – Emily Bressman, 5’11, OH, Omaha Marian (Nebraska Elite) – committed to Creighton

Bressman has so many outstanding abilities, but the best is her leadership and passion for the game. She is easily the most feared attacker in Class A and her back row play is as good as any outside hitter in the state. She represents the epitome of high school volleyball in Nebraska.

#1 – Kyla Swanson, 6’3, MH, Wahoo (VCNebraska) – committed to Illinois

Make not mistake about it, Swanson can easily dominate a high school match at the net, but what makes her our top player in the 2019 player rankings is that her upside could lead her to one day do the same in the Big 10. Swanson has improved by leaps and bounds every year during high school and Illinois jumped on her early to snag a potential difference-maker in the best college conference in the country. As she gets stronger and continues to improve, her name is one that we will continue to hear for the next five years or so.