Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: New Additions (Part 2)
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On to Part 2! Yesterday, we kicked off our series of features on the new additions to Nebraska’s 2026 watch list. With so many names being plugged into this update, we have to extend these articles into multiple parts. Our…
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Continue ReadingOn to Part 2!
Yesterday, we kicked off our series of features on the new additions to Nebraska’s 2026 watch list. With so many names being plugged into this update, we have to extend these articles into multiple parts. Our recruiting radar has expanded in a big way.
So, let’s pick up where we left off on our 2026 introductions.
We’re picking up right where we left off in Part 1: a lot of Nebraska Elite additions. Froehlich is one of several strong defensive specialists representing 15 Extreme this spring–and Gretna in the fall.
Garcia-Alvarez has been an outstanding frontcourt contributor for 15 Navy, a team that has a wealth of physical hitters. This middle blocker runs a variety of unique approaches off of one and two feet, doing most of her damage in front of the setter.
It might be too early to attach a single position designation to Griffin. We’ve already seen the way she can dominate as both a setter and a pin hitter, and Griffin can easily rotate between the two roles from match to match. You can count on this versatile athlete making plenty of headlines for Lincoln Southwest and VCNebraska in the coming years.
Upcoming qualifiers will offer a great scouting opportunity for many up-and-coming Premier Nebraska athletes, and Gross from 15 Silver is one we’ll be following. The team has many players who can step into the right-side hitter role and excel, with this Gretna standout being one of those.
Highlights
When talking about Nebraska ONE, it’s easy to automatically cast the spotlight on the club’s vaunted 16 Synergy. Meanwhile, 15 Black is asserting itself as another group to keep in mind. Gustafson has shown her range in early-season action by chipping in at both middle blocker and opposite, so it’s tough to mark her down as one or the other.
Highlights
Elkhorn North is undergoing a bit of a transition as it bids farewell to its first-ever graduating class. Luckily, talented players like Halweg will keep the Wolves near the top for years to come. Before that, though, Halweg is in the midst of a big season with Nebraska Elite 15 Extreme as one of the team’s stout defensive specialists.
Highlights
Kauffman has made the most of her opportunities in 15 Red’s libero jersey. It’s a testament to the team’s depth at the DS position, as Kaufmann will not be the only 15 Red libero we mention on this feature.
VCNebraska 15 Black’s lineup variety is becoming quite a storyline, and players like King help make it happen. The Lincoln native will not hesitate to swap between middle blocker and opposite, granting 15 Black plenty of options. We’ll see what the right combination is when a bid is on the line.
The frontcourt is not the only dynamic element to VCN 15 Black’s lineup. Several different players have stood out in the defensive specialist role, with Kopf being among those to make a positive impact. The Tri-County prep star also adds to the growing tally of rural standouts to represent VCN.
Let’s continue that conversation on big-time players from outside the big cities. Kuhlmann joins VCN 15 Black after making her freshman debut with Wilber-Clatonia, where she started her career with a triple-digit kill total in 2022. Expect a similar workload for Kuhlmann on the club side.
Highlights
It should be no surprise that Papillion-La Vista South has some impressive athletes who are waiting for their chance to shine. Larsen is one of those that we’ll be following from the 2026 class, as this physical middle blocker has already produced highlight moments this year with Premier 15 Silver.
Maiers further expands the list of Omaha Marian athletes on this feature series. We’ve also been harping on the ball-control strength of Nebraska Elite 15 Prime, and Maiers’s influence in this area cannot be ignored.
While Maiers helps lock down 15 Prime’s backcourt, Mason will keep up her important frontcourt role on the right pin. Perhaps you’re starting to sense that there are a lot of Gretna athletes being added, and that might be why a new high school is popping up in the area, too.
McMahon plays quite a multi-faceted role for Nebraska Elite’s top 15s group, 15 Phoenix. She perhaps does her best work as a backcourt setter, where she plays fantastic floor defense and is even an attacking threat on the back row set-over.
Highlights
Melendez churned out quite a highlight tape when she competed with 15 Red at last month’s Presidents’ Day Classic in Omaha. Whether she was wearing the libero jersey or playing as a primary DS in the middle-back area, Melendez showed an outstanding combination of poise and defensive instincts. This is already a can’t-miss backcourt player in Nebraska’s 2026 class.
Here’s another one of those defensive standouts for 15 Prime. Menicucci can adapt quickly between areas of the back row, making her an ideal fit for just about any spot in the lineup.
Miller can do a little bit of everything for Premier 15 Red. She has spent time at setter, opposite, and defensive specialist while standing out regardless of role. Of course, this versatility extends far beyond the volleyball court. We can expect Miller to make a multi-sport impact with Gretna in venues like basketball and track, too.
Highlights
River City Jrs returns to the conversation with another libero who’s rising through the 2026 ranks. Myers can use some positive momentum with 15 Navy to propel her to some early prep impact with Millard South.
Speaking of standout liberos, Neal is putting together a solid 2023 campaign with Premier 15 Black. Again, this is a unit that will face some big tests with the Northern Lights Qualifier on the horizon.
VCNebraska gets another one of those small-town additions with Nider making the short hop from Palmyra to join 15 Blue. This tight-knit group has some hidden gems in its frontcourt, and Nider certainly fits this description.
Like the aforementioned Gross, Nienaber is a player who will factor into Premier 15 Silver’s opposite position moving forward. But it’s also worth noting that Nienaber’s experience as a defensive specialist could also come into play as 15 Silver searches for the right qualifier combinations.