Nebraska 2026 Watch List Update: Small Towns, Big-Time Talent
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Elite volleyball talent occupies every corner of the Cornhusker State. Never has that been more apparent than with the Class of 2026. As we look through the latest iteration of our Nebraska 2026 watch list, small-town talents are becoming increasingly…
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Continue ReadingElite volleyball talent occupies every corner of the Cornhusker State. Never has that been more apparent than with the Class of 2026.
As we look through the latest iteration of our Nebraska 2026 watch list, small-town talents are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many of them have made a splash during this year’s club season, while others are waiting to make a sophomore surge in the fall high school campaign. Whatever the case, we’re here to bring some hidden gems to the spotlight.
Here are some small-town standouts with some big-time talent from the 2026 watch list.
Beethe, who represents Johnson County Central on the high school side, has been a can’t-miss frontcourt attacker for Nebraska Juniors 15 Black this spring. She has already excelled on both pins while only being in the beginning stages of her prep career. Regardless of which position Beethe plays in the near and distant future, she is bound to make a splash as one of Nebraska’s most physical 2026 attackers.
Before DeJonge embarks on her sophomore campaign with Adams Central, she has some unfinished business with South Central NE 15 Black. This talented club team is headed to Nationals after winning the 15 Liberty championship at Show Me. DeJonge had a steady hand in that triumph as a utility player who can slot into almost any position imaginable. Look for that versatility to shine in Chicago.
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If her freshman season was any indication, it’s going to be quite a stat-stuffing career for Dolliver. She set the pace for all Nebraska freshmen in the kills category last fall and led a historic Malcolm program back to the state tournament. It’s scary to think that Dolliver could be even more productive moving forward, as she set a high bar in her prep debut.
Emery must be getting quite comfortable with being in the spotlight. After carrying huge responsibilities as a setter-hitter with Minden last year, she stepped in for Nebraska Pride Gold 16s and had an extraordinary season while playing that familiar hybrid role. Even when she’s playing up an age group, Emery is standing out. Of course, the big stages will keep rolling in as Nebraska Pride hits the road to Nationals.
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Estudillo locked down the Nebraska Elite 15 Phoenix end line this year, and we expect a similar trend to play out with Fremont. We even have a family history of defense dominance to look back on here. That’s reason enough to expect success, but Estudillo is carving her own path as a standout defender among Nebraska’s best.
We’ve documented Hengelfelt’s fast start with Cross County last fall. Getting back to the state tournament was a brilliant start to this setter’s prep career, but she’s seemingly taken her game to a new level during the club season. Another postseason trip awaits as Hengelfelt leads the way as one of Nebraska ONE 15 Black’s brilliant setter-attackers.
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It might be more accurate to list Johansen as an opposite at this point, especially given her recent performances with Premier 15 Black. But Johansen can also get it done as a middle blocker and has shown some of that versatility with Freeman High School. We’ll see how this role evolves when 15 Black fights for a GJNC title.
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Kopf has demonstrated an extraordinary command over the libero jersey for VCNebraska 15 Black. It’s a big reason why 15 Black clinched its Nationals ticket at the Great Plains Bid Tournament, as the team flexed some of its rock-solid ball control at that event.
We’ll stay in the VCN gym for another one of the club’s small-town stars. Rowe, who competes with Columbus Lakeview, makes the trip to Lincoln to represent VCN 15 Elite on the club side. Her contributions at the middle blocker spot have offered a lot of optimism about this group’s high ceiling in the coming years.
Just another high-level 2026 on the Nebraska Pride Gold 16s roster. We’ve made note of Ryan’s six-rotation impact with Overton last fall as the Eagles finished runner-up in Class D2. More pressure-packed environments are on the way, but Ryan can surely handle it.