Emerging Nebraska Middles Ready for Breakout Club Season
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Our preseason breakout player series moves to the middle blocker spot. We just took a look at a few Nebraska outside hitters who could become big stock risers when the 2023 club season gets in full swing. We covered players…
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Continue ReadingOur preseason breakout player series moves to the middle blocker spot.
We just took a look at a few Nebraska outside hitters who could become big stock risers when the 2023 club season gets in full swing. We covered players in a couple of different classes in that one, and we’ll do the same here with the middle blockers.
Keep these emerging stars on your radar this year.
Lionberger has been tearing it up since her freshman year at Lincoln Southwest, and she took yet another step forward last fall. This 2024 middle blocker was particularly effective on the “gap” plays that the Silver Hawks became known for. VCNebraska 17 Elite will likely capitalize on that strength this spring.
We’re bringing a Nebraska Gold athlete into the equation. This club has hosted a lot of under-the-radar talent from central Nebraska, and Franzen is a perfect example. The Kearney middle blocker has been a participant at some of our showcase events and is always a standout in those environments. Expect the same from Franzen during club competition.
Premier 16 Silver was such a fun group to follow last year, and I’m thrilled to see the continued development of this squad as 17s in 2023. Hans will likely emerge as a go-to attacker for 17 Silver, as this Platteview product has a wicked arm swing and brings impressive physicality to the frontcourt.
Spahr put up some monster numbers for Milford in 2022, and she can do the same in the Nebraska Juniors gym this spring. Like many of the athletes on this feature, Spahr can flex out to a pin hitter role in addition to her prowess in the middle. We’ll see how 17 Black harnesses that versatility.
Stone has a chance to raise her stock considerably this spring, especially considering how she ended last year’s club campaign on a strong note. Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick will look to their experienced middle blocker in pursuit of yet another Open bid this year.
If last year’s high school numbers are any indication, we’re bound to see a huge club season from Venable. The VCNebraska middle blocker eclipsed an incredible 0.400 mark with Lincoln Pius X last fall, and Venable quickly followed that up with a standout performance at our December showcase in La Vista. The sky is the limit.
We’ll return to Nebraska Elite to find another middle blocker who is rising up the state’s 2025 ranks. Omaha Westside called upon Odvody to step up after some injuries to last fall’s runner-up squad, and this 2025 athlete promptly delivered. That should yield some valuable momentum heading into 2023.
The Hrbek name is undoubtedly familiar to anyone who follows the Nebraska prep scene, and the latest iteration can be a high-impact middle blocker for Premier 16 Black. Hrbek’s growth is just beginning, and 2023 will be a huge year for the Elkhorn North sophomore.