Nebraska Top 250 Preview: Tourney Participants to Watch (Part 1)
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It’s showcase season! I’ll be heading out to The Volleyball Academy Saturday morning for our Prep Dig Nebraska Top 250 Expo. Better yet, I already have the inside scoop on which athletes will be attending this event, and I’m gearing…
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Continue ReadingIt’s showcase season!
I’ll be heading out to The Volleyball Academy Saturday morning for our Prep Dig Nebraska Top 250 Expo. Better yet, I already have the inside scoop on which athletes will be attending this event, and I’m gearing up for a high-level showcase this weekend.
So, let’s give you a few teasers for this one. Here are a few players from this year’s state tournament that will also be making the trip to the Top 250 Expo–and this is just Part 1!
Anderson is a setter who has been on our radar for a while. She started her career at Omaha Duchesne and made the move to Omaha Skutt Catholic this fall, where she was part of the team’s historic eight-peat in Class B.
In the realm of up-and-coming attackers from the Class of 2025, keep an eye on Baker from Millard West. She stepped into the starting lineup this season and brought a big boost to a physical Wildcat frontcourt.
Bojanski is one of the most impactful small-town liberos in the entire state. Her constant presence on the championship stage with Archbishop Bergan is not a fluke, as she anchors the team’s outstanding ball control that is always among Nebraska’s best. Bojanski’s stock just keeps rising.
Add another rising 2024 defensive specialist to the list. We documented Lincoln East’s historic trip to the state championships this year, and Boyd had a big impact on that breakthrough run. Don’t count out Boyd and the Spartans next year, either.
Jalyn Branson
Jalyn Branson
Look out for the Class of 2026! Branson caught our attention at the state championships with Shelton, and it’s hard to believe she was just a freshman. Her debut season was highlighted by nearly three kills per set at the outside hitter spot on an impressive 0.242 hitting percentage.
Brislen has done whatever has been needed of her during her successful career at Omaha Westside. This year’s Warrior team allowed Brislen to show her skills on the right pin after she finished playing left-side hitter for much of the club season. Anything to win.
Everything about Glaser’s game just continues to elevate. She brought some serious heat on the left side for Papillion-La Vista this season and showed that she could confront even the state’s best wing blockers. The upcoming club season is going to be a fascinating one for Glaser.
It was quite a thrill to document the success of Groves and her Premier Nebraska team during the club season, and now this veteran defender looks to make another big impression in a showcase setting. Papillion-La Vista South’s depth is something to behold.
Highlights
Guthard is one of several Norris defensive specialists on our radar. That’s nothing new for the Titans program, after all. Guthard’s role expanded in this year’s backcourt, and we ought to see even more from the junior at this showcase.
Hagedorn is a fascinating 2025 attacker who can easily play on either pin and find success. This year, she was a pivotal component to Skutt Catholic’s championship run, as Hagedorn put down some key swings on the right pin for the SkyHawks. Her versatility will serve her well.
We’re still putting together a long list of stock risers from the 2025 class, and you can expect Hart to be in the mix. This Gretna sophomore lit up opposing defenses to the tune of a 0.348 hitting percentage this year.
Highlights
Hasselbalch’s time in the spotlight was coming. She put together an outstanding club campaign with Nebraska ONE this spring, and that carried over into an similarly effective sophomore season with Norris. The best is yet to come.
Heckenlively’s career trajectory has been fascinating, and it’s hard to be sure which position suits her best. She debuted with Gretna as a standout middle blocker who put together one of the most efficient freshman seasons among Nebraska’s 2025s. This fall, Heckenlively switched over to the left pin and was the team’s unquestioned offensive leader. We’ve seen it all, and Heckenlively is not even an upperclassman yet.
Hickey continues to be a trailblazer among Nebraska’s Class of 2024 setters. The connection with her hitters, both at Papillion-La Vista and Premier Nebraska, continues to grow stronger as Hickey becomes one of the state’s veteran stars.