Daily Dozen: Nebraska’s Sophomore Middles to Watch in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's stick with the Class of 2026 for a while longer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we showcased an exclusive group of pin hitters who stole Nebraska's prep spotlight in their freshman debuts. That's not the only position group where freshmen made a splash, however, as a handful of middle blockers immediately helped lock down the net for their respective teams. This feature is for those up-and-coming trailblazers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a stellar group of 12 to watch this fall.</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":"Impenetrable. That's an apt way to describe Arbuthnot's block last season for Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, a team that earned a bid to the state tournament. No freshman in the entire state can match Arbuthnot's blocking output last fall, but that's only part of her impactful role with the team. She also puts down a large share of swings for the Mustangs and averaged about three kills per set in her first prep season. That's a high bar to set, but Arbuthnot is ready for more.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["253934"],"_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":"Time to keep adding to Erwin's highlight tape. She has already built some incredible work through the club season with Premier Nebraska and her recent dominance at our Prep Dig Showcase in La Vista. Millard South will not be shy about using its middles in the frontcourt, especially with Erwin playing at such a high level this year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["396732"],"_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":"What a rise for Sullivan. South Central NE 15 Black's special 2023 season has thrust this Hastings St. Cecilia middle blocker to the forefront of Nebraska's sophomore class. Sullivan is fresh off of competing at GJNC, club volleyball's biggest stage. Her length will be an extraordinary advantage this fall, and you can expect Sullivan to crank out the same big numbers as she had this spring.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["276204"],"_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":"Sandhills/Thedford hosts one of Nebraska's most statistically productive middle blockers. Dahlberg compiled almost a block per set last season and had an even bigger impact on the Knights' offense. After nearly dropping 200 kills in her first season, Dahlberg will keep Sandhills/Thedford on the map yet again.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349419"],"_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":"Fremont featured a young roster last season, and standouts like Boehlke give us plenty of optimism for the future. This middle blocker is one of a few Tiger athletes who recently shined with Nebraska Elite over the spring. Ball control should be a major strength for Fremont this fall, and that will grant Boehlke even more opportunities to terminate at the net.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["275897"],"_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":"Thaden is poised to be a major breakout player for Millard West this fall. She is only just beginning to harness her potential on the prep side, but Thaden's work with Nebraska Elite has proven that she's ready to do more. Plenty of new faces will help pace the Wildcat offense this year. Thaden is one of those.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["275966"],"_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":"Falk was an unsung hero of Nebraska Christian's repeat appearance at last year's state tournament. She easily surpassed triple-digit kills and added her share of stuff blocks, too. There's plenty of room for Nebraska Christian hitters to replace some senior production from the 2022 squad, and that's where Falk can fill the void.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Anabel Berger","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Plattsmouth","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Plattsmouth is cranking out some strong middles lately. Berger will be one of a few to watch on that roster after she posted some impressive blocking totals as a freshman. Her role within the offense is also due to expand, giving the Blue Devils several worthy scoring options at the net.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["276195"],"_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":"We've mentioned Wingett throughout the 2023 club season, but that was mostly during discussions regarding pin hitters. However, Wingett appears on this feature thanks to her background as a middle blocker for Millard North. There are no guarantees on which position she might play this fall, but it's fair to say that Wingett will produce her share of highlight moments.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["396764"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Backemeyer recently garnered late-season accolades with Nebraska Juniors as a dynamic middle blocker who can score in a variety of scenarios. We got a glimpse of that wide-ranging impact when she represented Elmwood-Murdock last season, and Backemeyer is only going to get more comfortable moving forward. This is a player and a program that expects to be on the big stage in November.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["257188"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Stehlik has been a recent stock riser through her work with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 15 Navy on the club side. She now transitions to her sophomore season with Platteview, and it's bound to be a good one. Stehlik nearly compiled 200 kills as a freshman, setting the stage for an even larger total in her second prep season.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["275948"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"The Nelms duo has already generated headlines in Nebraska's small-town scene. It's always hard to choose between Anikka and Kyra for these features, as they both bring very similar skills and physicality. Southwest will lean on both in pursuit of another state tournament breakthrough.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d083dad0849"} /-->