Nebraska 2024 Rankings Update: Stock Risers (Part 1)
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Let the update extravaganza begin. We’ve just released an update to our Class of 2024 rankings on the Nebraska site. Over the next few days, we’ll be perusing this new list to identify stock risers, new additions, and other notable…
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Continue ReadingLet the update extravaganza begin.
We’ve just released an update to our Class of 2024 rankings on the Nebraska site. Over the next few days, we’ll be perusing this new list to identify stock risers, new additions, and other notable trends. Many of you likely know the drill by now.
The Class of 2024 is packed with some of the biggest trailblazers from around the Cornhusker State, and our newest rankings reflect that with almost 200 names appearing here. Though this is an experienced group, we still had a handful of names who rocketed up the hierarchy with this latest update. We even had enough stock risers to warrant a two-part series, so let’s dive right into it.
Here’s the first volume of our 2024 stock risers from the March 2023 rankings update.
We got a good look at Snyder’s wide-ranging impact when she competed at January’s Northern Lights Qualifier. She is a rangy six-rotation hitter who can run routes in a variety of gaps within the Club Legacy 17 Alpha offense. Her team made an impressive run in the final bracket of that event, further elevating Snyder’s greatness.
Rice has been on an absolute tear since her breakout season with Waverly to close out 2022. She is following that up with a stellar start to this year’s club season with Nebraska ONE 17 Black, where Rice anchors the backcourt in the libero jersey. Last month’s Presidents’ Day Classic served as yet another reminder of how impactful Rice can be along the end line.
You could argue that Topolski is an unsung hero for VCNebraska 17 Elite. Perhaps that was also the case last fall when Topolski’s efficient attacking helped Lincoln East reach its first state tournament appearance in well over a decade. Whatever the case, Topolski can stake a claim as one of the highest-rising pin hitters in our latest 2024 update.
Highlights
Rink has elevated her game enough to be included on VCNebraska’s aforementioned 17 Elite squad. It also helps that Rink’s versatility fits right in with the vast array of multi-talented athletes on that team. This Lincoln Southwest athlete can make her presence felt in the middle or on the right pin, allowing for the kind of lineup flexibility that will keep 17 Elite in the bid hunt.
Briganti has been a staple in the Club Legacy gym alongside Snyder. She has emerged as a versatile middle blocker who can get 17 Alpha out of plenty of jams throughout a match and score in two-hitter rotations. It’s not surprising to see this success, though, as Briganti has been around for so many high-level matches during the rapid ascent of Elkhorn North.
Faalii’s ascent to prominence has been well documented. She thrived alongside Topolski last fall as Lincoln East made its postseason push. Before that, she made a huge splash in the 2022 club season as Premier 16 Black punched a ticket to Nationals. This all-around standout is back with 17 Black and has not been afraid to mix things up on the right pin this year. Faalii’s toolbox just keeps expanding.
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Piening is a vital link in a couple of different vaunted backcourts in the Nebraska prep scene. On the high school side, Piening’s defensive prowess has been on full display with Norris as the Titans consistently make title runs every fall. But Piening is also off to an excellent start for a Premier 17 Red team that was on the cusp of a Nationals bid at NLQ. This libero is demonstrating year-round excellence.
Wherever you put Horn in the lineup, she’s going to deliver. Premier 17 Red has gotten a lot from the adaptable attacker, and that’s not just limited to one pin, either. Horn looks equally comfortable on both sides and is incredibly dangerous when she finds a rhythm. I think we’ll keep this team under the microscope for a while.
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When Nebraska Juniors gets into three-hitter rotations, look out. Busboom has seen plenty of opportunities to shine at 17 Black’s opposite position, and she is taking full advantage of those chances. We briefly outlined the success that Nebraska Juniors found at the Presidents’ Day Classic, and Busboom had a steady influence on that fruitful weekend.
In the realm of do-everything pin hitters, we have to give a shoutout to another outside attacker from Nebraska Juniors. Slaymaker can rise up and terminate, but that might not even be the most valuable part of her game. Few hitters in the Nebraska Juniors gym can lock down the middle-back area like she does, making Slaymaker a six-rotation mainstay who will influence matches in every way possible.
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Groves hasn’t just climbed the ladder in our rankings. She’s also made the big leap to Premier Nebraska 18 Black this season and is fitting right in with her older peers. This libero’s huge defensive plays and rock-solid serve receive recently helped her new squad earn an 18 USA bid down in New Orleans. It’s a surefire way to rocket up the 2024 leaderboard, and that’s what Groves has done.