A-C-E: Nebraska’s Toughest Players at the Service Line

<p>We’re about to go into some territory that often gets left out in the world of volleyball scouting: serving.</p> <p>Serving is at the core of everything that unfolds in a volleyball match. Sure, it’s easy to say that when every point begins with a serve.</p> <p>Tough serving can win matches. Forcing an errant pass is perhaps the most effective way to slow down an electric offense across the net. A player’s ability to put stress on opposing passers should never be overlooked.</p> <p>So, let’s highlight that here. We’ve got some of Nebraska’s toughest servers in this feature. Great serving is not just measured in aces, of course. The film tells us a lot, and these players can bring the heat from behind the line.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37546" first="Maisie" last="Boesiger"] - 5’6 S - Norris [Class of 2022]</strong></p> <p>Boesiger has changed the course of matches with her serving alone. Norris’ meeting with Elkhorn South earlier this year is a fantastic example. Down 2-1 in the set count to the Storm, Boesiger keyed up a massive serving run at the beginning of the fourth to swing the momentum in the Titans’ favor. Norris would go on to win the match in five on the road. That’s the kind of difference this senior can make. Fittingly, Boesiger will soon take her talents to Nebraska, a program that readily admits that serving is the cornerstone to their success.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103120" first="Emily" last="Quinn"] - 5’4 S - Mead [Class of 2022]</strong></p> <p>You don’t have to hit the ball incredibly hard to be a successful server, and Quinn proves that every time she steps onto the court. She dishes out serves that are low and flat, and that’s always a dangerous combination for backcourt passers. These balls barely clear the net tape, and Quinn has led the Raiders on some huge scoring runs as a result.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103134" first="Alexa" last="Sandman"] - 5’6 OH/DS - Wauneta-Palisade [Class of 2022]</strong></p> <p>Sandman contributes to every phase of the game for Wauneta-Palisade. That includes her serving, where she’s one of the most efficient players behind the line in her class. Sandman exerts so much energy in attacking, passing, and playing defense, so it’s even more impressive that she’s able to bring her all to the service game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="88290" first="Elise" last="Estudillo"] - 5’9 DS/L - Fremont [Class of 2022]</strong></p> <p>It’s no surprise that Estudillo is such an effective server. She’s an experienced player who understands the importance of applying pressure across the net. When she’s not making sprawling saves in backcourt defense, Estudillo can often be seen sparking huge scoring runs in her service rotation. Those are the qualities you want in your libero.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103103" first="Laney" last="Kathol"] - 6’0 MB - Hartington Cedar Catholic [Class of 2023]</strong></p> <p>It’s not often that you see a high school middle blocker who is lights out from the service line, but that’s exactly what Hartington Cedar Catholic is getting from Kathol. This M1 steps back to serve and drives the ball from a high contact point that is difficult for opposing passers to track. Cedar Catholic clearly doesn’t have to feel bad about having their middle blocker in the backcourt for half a rotation.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124778" first="Laney" last="Frahm"] - 5’4 S - Elmwood-Murdock [Class of 2024]</strong></p> <p>Frahm’s serve is deceptively tough. She can generate some topspin that lets the ball drop once it clears the net. The sophomore setter has recorded an ace in nearly every match she’s played this year, and that’s been a big factor in Elmwood-Murdock’s solid 17-7 campaign.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155029" first="Keri" last="Leimbach"] - 5’4 DS/L - Lincoln Lutheran [Class of 2025]</strong></p> <p>How about we throw a freshman into the mix? Leimbach made our initial 2025 watch list for her all-around defensive skills, and now she’s demonstrated her effectiveness behind the service line, too. This talented defensive specialist will obviously have a lot more time to develop her serve even further, so keep an eye on her in the coming seasons.</p>