Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: Pin Hitters on the Rise
In this article:
This one is for the pin hitters. Yesterday, we featured a group of ten Class of 2026 middle blockers who have seen their stock rise over the past several months. It’s our way of highlighting some big-time names while we…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis one is for the pin hitters.
Yesterday, we featured a group of ten Class of 2026 middle blockers who have seen their stock rise over the past several months. It’s our way of highlighting some big-time names while we make final adjustments to our initial rankings within this watch list. Stay tuned for all the updates.
So, with the middles covered, it only seems fair to get the outside attackers involved. Once again, here is a group of ten that we’ll have our eye on for the rest of the year–and for many years to come.
Cox has been one of a few do-everything pin hitters in this year’s Club Legacy 15 Alpha lineup. That means she can terminate in the frontcourt and make an equally consistent impact as a backcourt defender. We’re expecting even more of that versatility as Cox progresses through her prep career.
While we’re on the topic of well-rounded hitters, Dickerson is another player who can wear a lot of different hats for her respective teams. Her 2023 season with Premier 15 Black has featured some varied roles as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist who can lock down the middle-back area whenever needed. That versatility should shine through once again when Dickerson and 15 Black take on Nationals.
Markowski has a knack for making clutch swings. She’s been doing it all year for VCNebraska 15 Elite, and we’d expect the same with Lincoln Pius X this fall. And, as her last name suggests, Markowski is a multi-sport star who will likely rack up accolades in venues other than volleyball.
Our spotlight returns to Club Legacy 15 Alpha. Piernicky has been a very steady performer for this group and is a reliable outlet to set in out-of-system situations. The strong connection she has with her club teammates is clear, and that might have something to do with Piernicky uniting with many of her Omaha Marian counterparts for club competition.
West has quickly risen to become one of Nebraska’s highest-profile 2026s. She handled the enormous pressure of starting for Omaha Skutt Catholic as a freshman and helped the team win its eighth-consecutive state title. The momentum just kept rolling into the club season as West and 15 Gold clinched a long-awaited Open bid. The Chicago stage should be just another stepping stone for this electric outside hitter.
Nebraska Elite is fielding some impressive pin talent at the 15s level. Barrett is a great example of that depth, as she has put together quite a highlight reel at the opposite position. 15 Prime has taken full advantage of that by feeding their right-side hitter accordingly.
Premier 15 Silver has received valuable contributions from several different pin hitters this year. Gross certainly belongs in that conversation after her standout tenure on the team’s right pin. Better yet, this is a team that knows how to put its attackers in a rhythm behind the setter. Gross and 15 Silver are putting together quite a power combo.
Highlights
Pin depth is clearly not a problem for Nebraska Elite 15 Prime, as we have another athlete from that team making an appearance. Mason has joined Barrett as a consistent force for 15 Prime, giving the team a wide range of lineup options from match to match.
How about another shoutout for Premier 15 Silver, too? The team has been known for regularly deploying a two-setter offense, allowing two different opposites to shine in the starting lineup. Nienaber has been a brilliant complement to Gross and has firmly established the right pin as a strength for 15 Silver.
Highlights
We’ll close things out by going full circle with VCNebraska 15 Elite. Before this year’s club season, however, Scheer made a splash on the prep side with Grand Island Northwest. This perennial contender got some solid reps from its freshman opposite, and the same can be said of Scheer’s work with VCN.