Nebraska’s Qualifier Stock Risers: 2026 Middle Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recent qualifiers have given us plenty of insight into this talented group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday's feature focused on defensive specialists from Nebraska's Class of 2026, and we're staying with this up-and-coming group today. The middle blocker position has offered plenty of stock risers across Nebraska's prep spectrum, and the 2026s have been particularly strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's put a few on your radar here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275967"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another one on the board for Nebraska Pride. Arbuthnot is one of a few 2026s playing up with this club's stacked 16s squad, and the move is clearly working well. The small-town talent from Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, a team that made last fall's state tournament, is now making a big splash with some of her central Nebraska neighbors. It's a welcomed sight for all prep volleyball enthusiasts in the Great Plains Region.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["349419"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"We've mentioned before that Boehlke is yet another example of the Fremont-to-Nebraska Elite pipeline producing results. Her physical presence in the middle was a major asset for the Tigers last fall, and Boehlke offers those same strengths with 15 Phoenix. Keep an eye on this team's frontcourt, as Boehlke isn't the only middle blocker worth watching on this roster.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["275936"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The last few weeks have left little doubt that Erb is a major offensive spark plug for Premier 15 Gold. Her dynamic attacks off of one foot allow 15 Gold to draw up a variety of routes for her, even when the team is running a two-setter offense. That's the kind of impact Erb can have, and Premier will find any way possible to get this electric middle involved.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["253934"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"We're staying in the Premier Nebraska gym for another physical athlete with an impressive highlight tape in the middle. Erwin has been the anchor to 15 Red's frontcourt in several different ways, from her straight-down swings in front of the setter to the stuff blocks that have become common in recent weeks. Look for 15 Red to find a late-season groove with this middle blocker leading the way.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["298712"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Now it's time to bring VCNebraska into the mix with a 2026 middle blocker who fits the mold that this club has become known for. Rowe thrives on the 'gap' plays that have become a staple of VCN offenses, and that makes her a difficult player for opposing defenses to stop. When she's not terminating away from the setter, Rowe can also step right in the 'A' gap and hit a traditional quick set that's equally difficult to slow down.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349457"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Sjuts gets a shoutout here for her work as a middle blocker, but we've documented that this only scratches the surface of her skillset. Nebraska ONE 15 Black gets a lot from this Lincoln Lutheran product as a frontcourt middle blocker and a back-row setter in the team's 6-2 system. It's a unique role that is sure to capture some attention as Sjuts continues her prep career.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["275897"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Thaden is another Nebraska Elite middle blocker that we'll have our eye on after a successful run of qualifiers. This agile athlete is quick to close the 15 Phoenix block and can hang in the air well to make those last-second adjustments with her hands. Look for 15 Phoenix to keep developing with these trendsetting 2026s populating the entire frontcourt.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["257188"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Platteview has been known for churning out some quality middle blocker talent, and here's one that joins River City Jrs on the club side. Stehlik has been on our 2026 radar for a while. This year's club season elevated her stock further, however, as Stehlik has been a crucial component to 15 Navy's breakout year.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["275902"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Lastly, we have a 15 Gold middle blocker who is standing out among a vast collection of versatile hitters. Sumner has thrived in Premier's two-setter offense, which allows the middle blockers to hone in their quick attacks in front of the setter. That's where Sumner terminates best, and that helped lead to a bid-earning breakthrough at the Show Me Qualifier.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644447abed33b"} /-->