Nebraska 2025 Rankings Update: New Additions (Part 1)
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There’s a lot to cover here. As I alluded to in yesterday’s stock riser feature following the release of our Class of 2025 update, the focus of this latest refresh was to bring a significant influx of new names to…
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Continue ReadingThere’s a lot to cover here.
As I alluded to in yesterday’s stock riser feature following the release of our Class of 2025 update, the focus of this latest refresh was to bring a significant influx of new names to our rankings. We’ve added dozens of athletes to our database, but we’re only just starting. Things are about to get even more serious as we dive into the qualifier gauntlet of March and April.
But it all starts here. This is Part 1 of our look at the latest additions to Nebraska’s Class of 2025 rankings.
Kerkman is among the highest-ranking new additions in Nebraska’s 2025 class. The Premier 16 Gold outside hitter has burst onto the scene with her new squad and provided plenty of firepower in the offense. Better yet, Kerkman and her team are out for redemption this year after narrowly missing an Open bid in 2022.
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We’ve covered Crist’s journey throughout early 2023. She’s been plugged into just about any position imaginable for Nebraska ONE 16 Synergy and has performed admirably despite the pressure. This small-town talent is ready-made for the big stage, whether Crist is holding down a backcourt role or terminating in the frontcourt.
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Expect plenty of new Nebraska Elite names in this rankings update. Lang is one of those that we’ll be following, as she has developed into a go-to middle blocker for 16 Vision. This breakout for Lang also bodes well for the resurgence of Omaha Marian, a team that is absolutely stacked in the 2025 class.
Props to Crete High School for already getting two entries on this feature. Swiercinsky has been one of several lockdown defenders to spend time in the libero jersey for VCNebraska 16 Black. It’s a testament to this group’s defensive depth, and I look forward to watching Swiercinsky compete at some crucial upcoming qualifiers.
Donovan is an emerging setter we have to keep an eye on in this class. She has already put together several strong outings for Nebraska ONE at early-season events, including last month’s Presidents’ Day Classic. If length and physicality are your desired traits at the setter spot, Donovan is an athlete for you.
16 Vision is just thriving through the front row. McCarthy is a vital component to the team’s ever-improving backcourt, and that ball control has payed dividends in recent regional venues. Omaha Duchesne is also poised to continue its own tradition of solid defenders.
Nebraska Elite gets on the board again with one of its defensive specialists from 16 Koa. Vaughn is a multi-sport athlete who will surely be a factor in the continued ascent of Elkhorn North on the high school side. Before then, though, this libero is thriving on another one of Elite’s excellent backcourt units.
Time to introduce a pair of Gretna teammates who also join forces with Premier 16 Black. Schnell has pitched in with some efficient pin offense for Premier this year in addition to her contributions in serve receive. It’s everything you’d expect from a Gretna attacker, of course.
While Schnell has been producing highlight moments on the outside, Gangwish has made her presence felt at libero. This is an athlete who seems poised to bolster Gretna’s end line in the fall, but Gangwish has some unfinished business with 16 Black before we get there.
More under-the-radar libero talent resides on Premier Nebraska’s 16 Red squad. Francis has already made her mark on the prep side with Papillion-La Vista, so perhaps “under-the-radar” may not be an apt description for this DS anymore. Regardless, Francis looks poised for a huge rise to stock riser status in the coming months.
The 2023 club season is a perfect time to learn about the up-and-coming stars from the Lincoln area. Merten is looking like someone who fits this description, as she has locked down the net for VCNebraska 16 Black this year. Lincoln East could get a significant influx of frontcourt talent in the very near future.
Speaking of Lincoln-area middle blockers, Landon is another player who is quickly making a name for herself. She proved to be a playmaker for Waverly’s varsity group last fall, and that is translating to a standout spring campaign with Nebraska ONE 16 Black.
Here’s another athlete who has seen some big prep stages early in her career. Bohling has helped keep BDS’s status as a perennial title contender, but she can also light up the scoreboard with Nebraska Juniors on the club side.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the ENVY club that’s currently building up in the Omaha area. Anderson is an excellent building block for the club’s 16s team, as she presents some great length at the middle blocker spot. Bellevue West will also be thrilled to see this 2025 join the fray.
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Double trouble! Indeed, we have an Anderson duo to follow at ENVY and Bellevue West. A string of Midwest qualifiers and Great Plains events will give us an even better bearing on where this middle duo stacks up against the regional competition.
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Another Anderson, but this one is unrelated to the prior two. Still a middle blocker, though! Anderson lands on our new rankings after competing with Lincoln High on the prep side and anchoring the net for Nebraska ONE 16 Lime this winter.
We’re going to wrap up on a big Nebraska ONE run. Daly is yet another entry for Omaha Marian’s Class of 2025, and this dynamic libero is not shy about producing eye-popping plays for Nebraska ONE 16 Black. If it wasn’t clear already, 16 Black has a strong defensive corps that we’ll be following throughout the season.
Time to revisit 16 Lime. Evert is part of a strong 2025 group for Fremont High School. And, like many of her Tiger teammates, she treks over to Nebraska ONE for club competition. Crosscourt digs have been a big strength of Evert’s game this year, and that should still be the case as qualifier season ramps up.
Lastly, we’re back with 16 Black to find another multi-talented hitter on this feature. Falkinburg manages to produce crafty shots even when she’s not in rhythm, and that has helped yield some big wins for her well-rounded squad. Expect us to continue the conversation on Falkinburg’s team during our live event coverage.