Updating Nebraska's Class of 2024 Commitments

Sure, there has been a lot of national buzz around new commitments from the Class of 2025. Here in Nebraska, however, we're on an exciting run of 2024 pledges.   Time to bring some of these commits into the spotlight! It's been a while since we've done one of these features on the 2024s, so there's a lot to cover here.     Two Stars for Morningside   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/IMG_8335.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-187497" width="475" height="316" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Groves takes a swing for Premier 16 Silver.</figcaption></figure>   Morningside University, an NAIA program in Sioux City, Iowa, scored big last week with two commits in rapid succession from Nebraska's Class of 2024. Both compete for Premier Nebraska in club and Papillion-La Vista South on the high school side. It's a perfect storm.   [player_tooltip player_id='183983' first='Quinn' last='Groves'] got the party started with her pledge to the Broncos. This libero has been one of the fastest-rising players in Nebraska's 2024 class, so it's only fitting that Groves gets rewarded for her extraordinary efforts. She'll also be primed for the rigors of collegiate-level volleyball after playing up an age group with Premier 18 Black this season.   Before this year's breakout season with 18 Black, Groves surged onto our radar with an outstanding 2022 campaign with Premier 16 Silver. Her on-court responsibilities as the libero were unique. Groves primarily patrolled the middle-back area, contrary to the typical "libero zone" in one of the corners. Perhaps most fascinating was Groves's ability to take out-of-system swings from below the plane of the net and cause trouble for opposing defenders. We normally don't discuss attacking skills from liberos, but Groves is not an ordinary defender. Morningside scored with this commitment.   But the Broncos weren't done. At nearly the same time Groves announced her commitment, Morningside added another Nebraska prep star to the fold in setter [player_tooltip player_id='109587' first='Kyla' last='Dyrstad']. The Dyrstad name has become synonymous with brilliant ball control skills, but Kyla has distinguished herself as a setter rather than a libero. Of course, we know that floor defense is still a massive strength for this state champion setter.   Dyrstad will be back on the GJNC stage with Premier 17 Black shortly. Her steady hand in the team's offense and backcourt defense will remain in the spotlight until she represents Morningside in 2024.     More Recent Splashes   The fun continues.   Our most recent wave of Nebraska 2024 commitments had a couple more splashes alongside the two Morningside pledges. And this is a big one. [player_tooltip player_id='109586' first='Reagan' last='Hickey'], a multi-year starting setter for Papillion-La Vista and transformational athlete for Premier Nebraska, announced her commitment to D2's Regis University in Denver, Colorado.   Hickey immediately took the reins of the Papio offense as a freshman back in 2021. That's a lot to ask from a newcomer, but Hickey has never been phased by big moments. Never was that clutch factor more apparent than 2022's GJNC with Premier 16 Gold. It had been an up-and-down season for the team. Still, Hickey and her team managed to rise to the occasion as the stakes got higher. It started with a big bid-earning breakthrough at NLQ, where Hickey was instrumental in guiding the team's high-powered offense. Fast forward to Nationals, and 16 Gold ended the 2022 season on the 16 Open podium with a top-three finish. These big moments will prime Hickey for the collegiate road ahead in Colorado.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/kingsleyatk/status/1627478912220688384?s=46u0026amp;t=-7Z9Ur7KPGe54Sv3Zb4G3A </div></figure>   And speaking of big stages, how about one of our small-town high school stars? Archbishop Bergan outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='152901' first='Paige' last='Frickenstein'] has given her pledge to Midland, an in-state volleyball powerhouse at the NAIA level. This commitment comes after Frickenstein led the Knights to an appearance in the state championship match for every year she's been part of the program. It's a match that feels like a no-brainer, as Frickenstein will go just down the road to compete with the Warriors at the next level. Her physicality and hard-hitting style will make her a fan favorite in addition to being a homegrown standout.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/kingsleyatk/status/1456659984830316556?s=46u0026amp;t=-7Z9Ur7KPGe54Sv3Zb4G3A </div></figure>   Midland isn't the only collegiate juggernaut in the Cornhusker State that's loading up with local talent. We'd be remiss not to mention [player_tooltip player_id='124771' first='Addison' last='Johnson']'s recent commitment to Nebraska-Kearney, a D2 program that is always prevalent on the national stage. Johnson brings the kind of six-rotation prowess that coaches covet, so it's no surprise to see her get an opportunity with the Lopers. Her wide-ranging impact has been evident with both Nebraska Elite and Columbus. Before her collegiate journey begins, we're excited to see what the rest of Johnson's prep career might give us.   Of course, we can't forget about the other Premier 17 Black athlete who committed in recent days. [player_tooltip player_id='109595' first='Haylee' last='Wolf'], a standout libero for 17 Black and state runner-up with Elkhorn North, is heading to Kansas's Fort Hays State to compete at the D2 level. Wolf's impact on Nebraska's scene has been wide-reaching and long-lasting. So many of Wolf's traits will translate well to the next level, from her lockdown defense to the incredible energy she brings to the floor. We're ready to see a little more of that at Nationals.

Sure, there has been a lot of national buzz around new commitments from the Class of 2025. Here in Nebraska, however, we're on an exciting run of 2024 pledges.